From cockpit to conference: Jo Salter to inspire at APM Women in Project Management Conference 2025

Britain’s first female fast jet pilot, Jo Salter MBE, will deliver the closing keynote at the 2025 APM Women in Project Management Conference, and I can’t think of a more inspiring way to end a day dedicated to the theme of Transform Tomorrow.

Breaking barriers and redefining possibilities

Jo’s story is one of courage, perseverance, and transformation. From flying Tornado GR1 jets on combat missions to taking on global leadership roles, she has consistently pushed boundaries and redefined what is possible. Her journey from cockpit to boardroom shows what resilience, adaptability, and courage look like in action and why she is now such a sought-after speaker.

Lessons for project professionals

For me, Jo’s career resonates deeply with being a project management professional. Every day we face uncertainty, complexity, and decisions that can change the course of our projects. Jo’s experiences of making critical calls under extreme pressure and learning through failure offer powerful insights for how we can approach the ambiguity and uncertainty that so often define project delivery.

Her story reminds me that transformation doesn’t come from waiting for the right moment or perfect plan. It comes from stepping forward, embracing uncertainty, and having the courage to act. These are lessons that we can take into our own roles and gives us the opportunity to leave the conference not only inspired, but ready to make an impact in our own projects and organisations.

Jo’s keynote promises to translate her extraordinary experiences into practical insights that we can all apply. I am particularly looking forward to hearing her perspectives on:

Resilience in uncertainty and developing a mindset to adapt when plans shift and challenges arise
Decisive leadership and knowing when to act, even without complete information
Learning through failure and reframing setbacks as opportunities to grow and improve
Confidence to lead change and stepping forward to shape, rather than just react to, change

Exploring the conference

The APM Women in Project Management Conference is always a highlight in the year as it brings together stories, insights, and people passionate about their profession. This year’s programme is particularly exciting because it combines a retrospective and future-focused approach to change and transformation, allowing delegates to reflect on lessons learned while preparing for what is ahead.

With a blend of expert speakers, thought leadership and interactive workshops, the conference will provide a reflective view of where we have come from while equipping attendees with strategies and tools to drive change forward. Through the themes of Learn from Experience, Today’s Change and Future Forward, there are a wide range of topics for delegates to explore. Of particular interest to me are the sessions on the art of influence, turning resistance into partnerships and how to best utilise AI tools in an AI-enhanced workplace.

Transform tomorrow

This year, as we gather to explore how we can Transform Tomorrow, Jo’s closing keynote feels especially timely. In a world where change is constant, we don’t just need to manage it, we need to lead it.

So, if you are joining the 2025 Women in Project Management Conference, you are in for an incredible day of insight and inspiration capped off with Jo’s closing keynote that will leave us all more confident to lead change and transform tomorrow.