Kate Munari

Kate Munari's Biography

Kate Munari is the only female Australian Navy pilot to see active service in Afghanistan. As the only female pilot in the workforce of over 150 pilots and aircrew, she completed a four year exchange flying for the Royal Marine Commandos in the UK. Engaging right from the start, Kate will enthral with stories from a harsh and unique workplace and inspire the audience to realise that stereotypes and seemingly insurmountable odds shouldn’t stop them from pursuing their goals.

Kate served in Afghanistan three times as a helicopter pilot, embedded in the British Royal Marine Commando’s Helicopter Force. There she captained mission's day and night into some of the most hostile areas of the war torn country. Helmand Province was her home for almost 12 months. Day time temperatures exceeded 45 degrees, night time temperatures reached below -15 degrees, and throughout it all, Kate was expected to operate at the top of her mental and physical performance, lives depended on it.

Being the only female amongst a workforce of over 150 aircrew at Commando Helicopter Force, living away from family and friends and working in close conditions in the pressure cooker environment of a war zone, were just some of the challenges she faced and successfully overcame.

Confronted with ever changing situations, Kate made critical decisions time and time again, day after day for months on end. This high tempo of operations taught her the skills of planning, prioritization, leadership and practical people management that contributed to three successful tours of Afghanistan.

On return to Australia, Kate was selected to study at the Australian Defence Force’s Capability and Technology Management College, graduating with a Masters in 2013. Returning to flying in 2014, Kate was a Flight Commander flying the MRH90 helicopter at sea on HMAS Canberra, one of Australia’s newest ships followed by her final posting in the Navy as the Operations Officer at 808 Squadron.

Kate has recently retired from the Royal Australian Navy after 17 years of service and has started a new career with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau as an Air Accident Investigator.

Throughout her presentation, Kate will take you on a unique journey to places you have never been and through situations that will have you on the edge of your seat. Her accounts combine a mixture of serious situations, emotionally moving moments and surprisingly humorous accounts of some of the toughest and challenging experiences of her career. Kate is also a motivational speaker who is keen to share her experiences with others. Kate will inspire and motivate audiences to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Kate's presence and stories engage and inspire no matter your profession, her wealth of knowledge and experience are sure to fit your needs.

Speaking Topics Include

Resilience Under Fire:

Beating The Odds And Thriving In High-Pressure Environments

As the only female Australian Navy pilot to ever fly in Afghanistan, Kate knows all about adversity and overcoming the odds. She was responsible for the lives of 16 personnel when their Sea King helicopter was shot at mid-air in a warzone, she frequently made quick decisions under tough military circumstances, and when posted to Commando Helicopter Force, UK, she was the only female frontline pilot among 150 pilots and aircrewmen.

Through compelling storytelling that spans two decades in the Navy, Kate shares strategies she used to cope with stress under extreme military conditions, how her failures motivated her to enhance her performance, and imparts a unique and refreshing insight into gender stereotypes (and it's not what you would think).

In this emotive, gripping and upbeat keynote, Kate shares inspiring lessons about the power we all have to beat the odds with a winning mindset.

Themes: Resilience, mindset, goals, overcoming adversity

Powerful Leadership Starts and Ends With Your Team

Having spent most of her time in the Navy managing teams, former helicopter pilot Kate Munari knows what it means to lead effectively. In this inspiring and gripping keynote, Kate will explain why effective leadership is made up of two essential and very simple components: strong communication and understanding your team.

Kate will inspire you with real and raw stories from her time in Afghanistan. She will share strategies and techniques for empowering your team, decision making under pressure, positive mentoring, the power of accountability, and much more. Kate will uncover why great leadership truly starts and ends with your team.

Themes: Leadership, teamwork, communication, decision making

Gender In The Workforce: Don’t Let Your Assumptions Hold You Back

As the only female Australian Navy pilot to ever fly in Afghanistan, Kate Munari truly knows what it means to work and live in male-dominated environments.

Through detailing her own experiences from alpha male military bases both in Australia and overseas, Kate will explore the important lessons she learnt about gender in the workplace.

Kate will share how her assumptions were challenged and broken, why we can’t allow gender to be a limiting factor, the great opportunity females have to create and set their own standards for leadership, and why we should never allow our own assumptions to hold us back.

Themes: Unconscious bias, leadership, communication