Speaker Kit

Shannon Huffman Polson

Keynote Speaker · Apache Pilot · Author of The Grit Factor · Founder, The Grit Institute

Leadership forged where the stakes were real — and translated for the decisions your people face every day.

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One of the first women to fly the Apache helicopterAuthor of The Grit FactorDenali summit at 19Founder, The Grit Institute
Shannon Huffman Polson in uniform

The Introduction

A speaker your audience won't forget — and a partner your team can count on.

Shannon Huffman Polson was one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter in the U.S. Army, leading soldiers in some of the most demanding conditions on earth. Today she is a sought-after keynote speaker and author of The Grit Factor — translating hard-won lessons in courage, grit, and decision-making into results for leaders and organizations worldwide. She writes and speaks at the intersection of grit, leadership and ancient wisdom, and is at work on a book about ancient wisdom in a modern world. As a community leader, Shannon founded the board and led the capital campaign to envision and build a new library and community center in her rural community.

10-Second Intro

Apache pilot turned author and leadership keynote speaker — teaching leaders to decide under pressure and lead with grit.

Read From the Stage

“Our next speaker was one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter. She’s the author of The Grit Factor, and she’s here to show us what it really takes to lead when it counts. Please welcome Shannon Huffman Polson.”

At a Glance

Founder of The Grit Institute · Author of The Grit Factor & North of Hope · Summited Denali at 19 · Keynotes for organizations, associations, and universities.

1000+
leaders trained worldwide
100+
organizations served
10+
years of measurable impact

Repeat clients include IBM, Microsoft, Bristol Myers Squibb, The Channel Company and In-N-Out Burger, some bringing Shannon back three times.

Trusted By

The world’s best organizations bring Shannon back.

Cielo logoASAE logoBusiness Insider logoEllevate logoDuke University logoUnited States Air Force Academy logoVerizon logoYale logo
“

The presentation was captivating and delivered everything that we could have wanted. A lot of buzz has been created around the presentation… She hit on all the topics we discussed in our initial discussion, leadership, adversity, innovation, change, living up to high standards, doing your best work under pressure, etc. It was perfect.

Steve Webber, Northwestern Mutual
“

Shannon was amazing! She did a great job summarizing the day and leaving our company energized to face the wind and fly through it! We couldn't be happier.

Ball Ventures
“

A huge hit and very inspiring! As I type this, I am overhearing the clients talk about her and how they are planning to continue to pull her message through the rest of the meetings.

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals
“

Shannon was Amazing! Our team absolutely loved her and her message. Her story was spot on with our mission and our goals for the meeting. She was outstanding!

Nestlé Health Science

Watch

See Shannon on stage.

Formats

However your event is built, Shannon fits.

Keynote

A signature 45–60 minute talk, tailored to your theme and audience.

Workshop

Half- or full-day interactive sessions that turn ideas into practice.

Virtual Keynote

Broadcast-quality remote talks for distributed teams and global events.

Fireside & Panel

Moderated conversations, Q&A, and panels that go deep, fast.

Press Photos

Hi-res photography.

Download any image below. Need a different crop or format? Just ask.

Shannon Huffman Polson — uniform portraitDownload ↓
Shannon Huffman Polson — portraitDownload ↓
Shannon Huffman Polson — speaking portraitDownload ↓
The Grit Factor — bookDownload ↓

Planner FAQ

Everything you need to book with confidence.

What kind of speaker is Shannon Huffman Polson?
Shannon is a top-rated leadership speaker, women’s leadership speaker, and inspirational and motivational keynote speaker. A woman veteran speaker and one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter in the U.S. Army, she brings lessons from the cockpit and the boardroom to corporate meetings, women’s leadership conferences, Veterans Day programs and all-company kickoffs.
What topics does Shannon speak on?
Shannon speaks on grit and resilience, courageous leadership, leading and deciding under pressure, and women's leadership — every talk tailored to your audience, theme, and the outcomes you're after.
Does Shannon speak at Veterans Day events?
Yes. Shannon is a U.S. Army veteran and one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter. Her keynote The Best of Both Worlds: Veteran Hires in Corporate America is built for Veterans Day programs, veteran ERGs, and HR and talent leaders. It helps your organization increase veteran retention and engagement, strengthen teams and improve outcomes.
Does Shannon deliver virtual keynotes?
Yes. Shannon delivers broadcast-quality virtual keynotes and fireside chats for distributed teams and global events, in addition to in-person engagements.
Can a keynote be customized for our organization?
Always. Every talk is shaped around your theme, your audience, and the outcomes you're after. Shannon works with your team in advance so the message lands.
Where does Shannon travel from?
Shannon travels from Washington State and speaks to audiences across the country and around the world.
Does Shannon offer workshops as well as keynotes?
Yes — half- and full-day workshops, fireside chats, and panels are available alongside her signature keynotes.
How do we check availability and fees?
Use the Check Availability button or contact Shannon's team directly. Share your date, audience, and goals, and you'll get a fast, personal response.

Let’s Talk

Bring Shannon to your stage.

Tell us about your event, your audience, and your date. We’ll take it from there.

Check Availability Download One-Sheet (PDF)
☎ 509-996-8011 ✉ Shannon@TheGritInstitute.com