Nicola Winter is a trailblazing aviator, astronaut reserve, and high-performance speaker renowned for her expertise in leadership, teamwork, and crisis management. As only the second female fighter pilot in Germany’s history, she has built a career defined by resilience, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From flying Tornado jets and piloting the Eurofighter to managing space projects and lecturing on emergency response, Nicola brings a unique perspective on operating under pressure.
Nicola’s journey began in the German Armed Forces, where she trained as a Tornado pilot and flight instructor. In 2015, she transitioned to flying the Eurofighter, a prestigious role held by only two other women in the German Air Force at the time. She also spent several years in the USA, preparing student pilots in survival training and crisis response, honing her expertise in managing high-risk situations and holding the rank of Major. Her ambition extended beyond the cockpit, as she was selected as a finalist in “Die Astronautin”, a private initiative to send the first German woman into space. Competing against 400 candidates, she earned a place in the programme, but financial constraints prevented the mission from being realised. Undeterred, Nicola shifted her focus to furthering her leadership skills, embarking on a career in management consulting with McKinsey & Co.
Her impact in aerospace and leadership continued to grow, leading her to the German Aerospace Centre as a Project Manager for Responsive Space in 2021. That same year, she became a lecturer at the Carl Remigius Medical School, specialising in emergency and crisis management. In 2022, her long-held ambition to reach space took a significant step forward when she was selected as a member of the ESA Astronaut Reserve, bringing her closer to achieving her childhood dream. A dynamic speaker, she delivered the TEDx Talk “Military Leadership & Parenting”, highlighting the parallels between commanding high-risk missions and raising a family. She also took to the stage at the Munich New Space Summit in 2023, solidifying her presence as a thought leader in aerospace and leadership.
Nicola is hired for her unparalleled ability to translate extreme experiences into actionable insights for businesses and organisations. Her keynotes on leadership, teamwork, and crisis management resonate deeply with corporate audiences, drawing on her military, aviation, and space sector expertise. Whether discussing decision-making under pressure, resilience in uncertainty, or effective leadership in high-risk environments, she delivers compelling lessons that inspire teams to think boldly and act decisively. Nicola’s unique blend of military precision, astronaut ambition, and corporate strategy makes her an in-demand speaker for those seeking to elevate performance, embrace change, and lead with confidence.
