Inspirational Keynote

Veteran, Paralympian, mother, and inspirational speaker, Melissa Stockwell’s life story is one of grit, transformation, and unyielding optimism. The first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat in Iraq, Melissa made a promise to herself that she would not let losing a leg slow her down. After a long and challenging recovery process, she exercised her power of choice to channel her energy into competition, and never looked back.

Melissa will tell the inspirational story of becoming a warrior and fighting to become the champion she is today, sharing insight into the mindset that she has carried through her own life, that anyone can do anything that they put their mind to.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define how embracing adversity can foster resilience, adaptability, and a strategic mindset in both personal and professional contexts.
2. Outline the importance of choice, mindset, and accountability in driving transformative leadership under pressure.
3. Formulate actionable strategies for sustaining motivation, building grit, and leading teams through uncertainty.
4. Identify strategies for inspiring confidence and purpose among peers and partners to face obstacles as opportunities for growth.

About Melissa Stockwell:

At first glance, Melissa Stockwell may appear to be the quintessential Midwestern All-American mom, but she is far more. She is an American war hero who has triumphed over personal tragedy to achieve greatness and World Champion status. She has dedicated her life to chasing remarkable accomplishments while giving back to others, particularly those who face similar challenges.

Stockwell graduated from the University of Colorado and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. She deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where a blast from a roadside bomb struck her Humvee, causing the loss of her left leg above the knee. After enduring numerous infections and surgeries, Stockwell was medically retired from the Army. She is the first female soldier ever to lose a limb in active combat and has been awarded both The Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

Following her accident, sports became Stockwell’s road to recovery. In 2008, she became the first Iraqi War Veteran to qualify for the Beijing Paralympics, where she was honored by her fellow Team USA athletes as the flag bearer of the Closing Ceremony. After Beijing, Stockwell turned to Paratriathlon and is now a three-time World Champion. On September 11, 2016, at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Stockwell raced in honor of her fellow soldiers and their families who had given the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect America. After a grueling race, she ended the day on the podium as the newly crowned Paralympic Bronze Medalist.

Six weeks before the 2021 Paralympics, Stockwell broke her back in a training accident, derailing her hopes of winning a gold medal. Nevertheless, despite the pain, she managed to compete at the Paralympic Games, finishing 5th. She is set to compete again for a Paralympic Gold Medal at the Paris Games in 2024. With her friends Keri Serota and Dan Tun, Stockwell co-founded Dare2tri, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing barriers to sports and fitness. Specializing in adaptive sports, the organization encourages recreation, racing, and competition while cultivating a community for all athletes of all abilities. Stockwell is among 20 athletes to receive the P&G Athletes for Good grant to help expand her organization’s reach.

In 2020, Stockwell published “The Power of Choice: My Journey from Wounded Warrior to World Champion,” detailing her story. Stockwell continues to share her experiences and the inspiring insights she has gained along the way to standing ovations across the country for Fortune 500s, military bases, professional organizations, small businesses, and schools.