Amy McGrath

Amy McGrath is an Adjunct Professor at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky. A retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, she is a pioneering combat pilot, serving as the first woman to fly combat missions in an F/A-18 for the U.S. Marine Corps. Her career included three combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, followed by roles in defense policy advising, Pentagon liaison work, and teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy. She later transitioned to political activism, running for U.S. House and Senate seats, and founded Honor Bound, a nonpartisan organization supporting women in service backgrounds pursuing elected office.

Education: Master’s in Global Security from Johns Hopkins University, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and completed leadership programs at the National Defense University.

Research and professional focus includes national security strategy, defense policy analysis, leadership development in public service, and bridging military and civilian governance. Her upcoming memoir, Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service, explores her military career, political journey, and lessons in leadership.

Labs/Teams: Founder of Honor Bound, Inc., a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to empowering women veterans in political leadership.