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The Connect July 2025

Hillwood Hosts Third Annual Women in Business Brunch

Hillwood Hosts Third Annual Women in Business Brunch

The tradition of celebrating the women of AllianceTexas continued when Hillwood hosted its third annual AllianceTexas Women in Business Brunch, gathering more than 140 area businesswomen, Hillwood leadership, and students in the aviation programs at Keller ISD and Northwest ISD.

Guest speaker and veteran U.S. Air Force major and fighter pilot Michelle Curran, known by her callsign "MACE," shared her inspirational story of shattering barriers with attendees while they enjoyed brunch inside the hangar of Hillwood’s state-of-the-art FBO facility at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport.

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Michelle’s impressive 13-year career in the U.S. Air Force included a combat tour in Afghanistan and a three-year stint performing jaw-dropping maneuvers as a pilot for the Thunderbirds, one of the most visible squadrons in the world.
Michelle is only the fifth woman to serve as a Thunderbird pilot. She held the prestigious role of Lead Solo, with her favorite maneuver being the vertical roll—an impressive spiral flight performed at 15,000 feet.

 

Curran said that by getting bold in her hobbies, bravery soon replaced fear in all aspects of her life.

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“Always start even though you don’t think you can,” she recalled. "I call it vulnerability with possibility. That way, you're never limiting yourself to other people’s assumptions of you.”

Each year, the event spotlights a local nonprofit organization — this year’s focus was on Girls Inc. Guests had the opportunity to hear the inspiring story of a former Girls Inc. participant who is now a student at TCU. Through its mission, Girls Inc. empowers nearly 17,000 young women annually to be strong, smart, and bold.

Hillwood Director of Customer Experience Hope Bell, who led the event with Hillwood Customer Experience Manager Sara Hunton, noted, “Michelle’s powerful message about overcoming the inner critic resonated with everyone in the room. We look forward to inspiring even more women through memorable experiences like this one."