Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour has faced countless tests throughout her life. As the only girl with three brothers, she learned early on that challenges are part of the journey. She became America’s first Black female combat pilot and served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. FlyGirl also served as a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps.
After her military career, she transitioned to the private sector, becoming an entrepreneur, consultant, and author of Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. As a speaker, FlyGirl shares powerful lessons and anecdotes from both the battlefield and business, inspiring audiences to get gutsy and build inner strength to achieve their most significant goals.
In 2007, FlyGirl founded VAI Consulting & Training, LLC, where she helps individuals and organizations create breakthrough results using her “Zero to Breakthrough™” Success Model. This mindset, which guided her career and kept her safe in combat, drives her passion for helping others. FlyGirl’s message reaches audiences worldwide at premier meetings and conferences, and she serves as a Gutsy Confidence Mentor for senior executive women in tech.
As a Black, gay woman and single mom, FlyGirl’s perspective is invaluable. She is a member of the Forbes School of Business & Technology Board of Advisors and the COMCAST/NBCUniversal Joint Diversity Council. FlyGirl has received two honorary doctorates and numerous awards for her pioneering work in STEM.
Her remarkable journey has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, The View, FOX News, Oprah Winfrey, and more. FlyGirl was also a running back for the San Diego Sunfire professional women’s football team and a two-time titleholder of Camp Pendleton’s Strongest Warrior Competition.
FlyGirl is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move.
