Merryl Tengesdal, a trailblazing pilot, author and retired colonel, made history as the first and only African American woman to fly a U-2 in the USAF. Tengesdal served for more than 20 years as a Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot, flying the "Dragon Lady" high-altitude surveillance aircraft while moving all over the world in support of military and combat activities. She was the first woman chosen to be Commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Detachment 2, overseeing a multi-billion dollar testing program. She has extensive command and senior leadership experience, most recently serving as the Director of Inspections for the Air Force Inspector General, overseeing a program for 860K Airmen.
In her memoir, Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me About Self-Worth, Sacrifice and Discipline, Tengesdal details her extraordinary journey. Her compelling account inspires listeners to push themselves to new limits.
Tengesdal served as the lead in the CBS' Tough as Nails, which promoted more participation by minorities in the trades. Additionally, she has made appearances as a technical consultant on Bridge of Spies, a commentator in PBS' UNLADYLIKE2020: The Bessie Coleman Story and a featured contributor for Smithsonian Channel's Air Warrior.
Tengesdal is a devoted supporter of getting more women and children of color into STEM fields. She was accepted into the Gathering of Eagles Foundation as an aviation pioneer. Tengesdal shares her experiences and observations on leadership as a woman and person of color in settings where these groups are underrepresented, maximizing physical and mental health and transferring military leadership to business enterprises and daily life in highly sought-after events with organizations like Lockheed Martin, Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence, the Transportation Leadership Forum and more..

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