Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE is an accomplished aviation and sustainability leader whose career has been defined by innovation, resilience and purpose. As the co-founder and Chair of Aviation for Good, she has demonstrated how aviation can be used as a force for positive global impact, helping to deliver life-saving medical support and humanitarian aid to communities where conventional transport cannot reach. Combining executive and non-executive leadership experience with expertise in strategy, governance and organisational transformation, Rachel has become a respected voice on leadership, collaboration and navigating change. Her remarkable career, coupled with her inspiring personal journey, makes her one of the most sought-after motivational speakers for leadership, aviation, STEM and diversity events.
Inspired by a lifelong ambition to become a pilot from the age of six, Rachel studied mathematics before beginning her professional career as a Higher Scientific Officer at the Defence Research Agency, contributing to the systems design of British nuclear submarines. She later moved into Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft testing, becoming the first woman to spend 36 hours aboard a British nuclear submarine before achieving her commercial pilot licence. Rachel went on to hold senior positions across organisations including QinetiQ, IBM, the UK Home Office and the Civil Aviation Authority, where she served as Head of General Aviation. Her leadership journey continued as Director of the UK Space Agency before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Connected Places Catapult, strengthening her reputation for people-focused leadership and organisational transformation. Today, she serves as Director of Aviascia, co-founder and Chief Sustainability and Growth Officer of EmPower Flight, and co-founder and Chair of Aviation for Good.
Alongside her executive career, Rachel has built an impressive portfolio of advisory and board appointments. She has contributed to organisations including Projects Delivering Hope and NATS, while her current appointments include the Heathrow Stakeholder Group, Astroscale, the British Aviation Group and Form1 Partners. A Chartered Mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Rachel has received numerous honours, including the AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award and an OBE for services to aviation. Her expertise has also been showcased through media appearances with the BBC, AeroTime and Business Airport International.
Rachel's keynote presentations draw on decades of experience leading through complexity, pioneering change and placing people at the centre of organisational success. Blending practical leadership frameworks with inspiring personal stories from aviation, engineering and sustainability, she equips audiences with the confidence to build trust, embrace uncertainty and lead with purpose. Whether speaking to business leaders, STEM professionals, aviation specialists or emerging talent, Rachel delivers engaging, authentic and actionable presentations that empower audiences to overcome challenges, unlock potential and create meaningful, lasting change.
