Sheila Xu
First Deaf Asian Female Pilot ∙ Accessible Space Exploration Advocate ∙ Championing Accessibility & Innovation ∙ Harvard, MIT, & Wharton Alum ∙ Scientist
Pilot Change.
Launch Innovation.
Redesign Possibilities.
News & Upcoming Appearance
I’ll be available in those cities for in-person engagements, workshops, and panels during this visit. Reach out to book me!
Sydney, Australia: September 25 – October 4, 2025
New York City, NY: October 22 – 24, 2025
Boston, Massachusetts: October 27 – November 3, 2025
Video Description for Accessibility: Sheila Xu, a deaf pilot, flies a plane and shares her journey, accommodations for her communication needs, and encourages others by showing that deafness does not limit what is possible. The video, produced by MIT Alumni Association, highlights her piloting the aircraft and preparing for flight, emphasizing breaking stereotypes in aviation.
Why I Do This?
Hi, I'm Sheila Xu.
As a deaf woman, I was told that big dreams like becoming a pilot, a scientist, or an astronaut were not possible for “someone like me.” Instead of accepting those limits, I chose to challenge them.My journey has taken me from becoming the first deaf Asian female pilot and running space accessibility experiments in zero-gravity to leading disability inclusion in the space sector as Director of Development at a nonprofit initiative, AstroAccess.In aviation and space sectors, people like me remain exceptionally rare. Often, I’m not just the first—I’m the only one in the room, workplace, institution, or conference for years at a stretch. People from all backgrounds, with or without disabilities, have told me they didn't realize their potential and capabilities until they heard my story. That’s why I speak: to open doors, raise awareness, educate, and show that challenges can become launchpads for growth.My vision is straightforward: Everyone, regardless of background or ability, should have the opportunity to be part of human exploration missions. I am on a mission to fly to space, lead cutting-edge research, and ensure future deaf and hard-of-hearing astronauts have a seat at the table. This work reaches beyond space. It resonates across every sector, including international affairs, education, and financial services.I am also a graduate of Harvard, MIT, and Wharton, blending rigorous academic training with a commitment to advancing research on accessible, multimodal communication in human exploration activities. My career spans both the US and Europe and includes earning the call sign “Cool” for staying calm in an emergency plane landing during my pilot training. These diverse experiences bring insight and resilience to every story I share.If you’re looking for a speaker with proven achievements, fresh perspectives, and action-oriented insights, I’m ready to help your team or audience reach new heights.
"Being deaf is not a deficiency or a liability, even on the most demanding missions. With the right tools, support, and attitude, no one is left behind, and our capability for extraordinary achievement is revealed."
Invited By
And many more, including Harvard University, Library of Congress, and leading aerospace companies!
Speaking Topics
Explore my most-requested sessions, each shaped by real-world challenges, research, and stories that give your audience the confidence to reach their goals, chase excellence, and lead boldly. Every keynote and workshop is tailored to your goals, with concrete examples and takeaways designed to inspire bolder thinking, bigger vision, and impactful leadership across all fields.
Breaking Barriers: Turn Challenges Into Opportunities
How to turn setbacks into advantages for growth and leadership for everyone
Communicating for Impact: Lessons From Space and the Skies
Build stronger teams and leaders with clear, adaptable communication
Designing the Future: Innovation through Intentional Design
Create environments where everyone can thrive and succeed
Customized Topic
Looking for something specific?
I offer tailored sessions designed to match your event's goals, themes, and audience needs.
Breaking Barriers: Turn Challenges Into Opportunities
How to turn setbacks into advantages for growth and leadership for everyone
Keynote Overview
Imagine if setbacks were not stumbling blocks, but springboards. In this session, I will share my journey as the first deaf Asian female pilot and a leader in accessible space research. Drawing on high-stakes aviation, zero-gravity experiments, and leading teams where innovation is survival, I show how reframing obstacles unlocks pathways to growth, leadership, and breakthrough achievement—no matter your field. You’ll hear real stories where adversity became a catalyst, see how resourcefulness fuels resilience, and discover what’s possible when we stop seeing barriers as limits and instead use them to propel connection, courage, and personal growth.
Audience Takeaways
Walk away with a framework for analyzing challenges, spotting hidden opportunities, and transforming obstacles into assets for team and personal growth.
Learn hands-on tools drawn from both aviation and space—from communication tactics in high-pressure moments to team drills that foster trust and adaptability under uncertainty.
Get practical exercises and leadership prompts to inspire initiative, promote creative risk-taking, and lead with empathy, even in uncertain situations.
Communicating for Impact: Lessons From Space and the Skies
Build stronger teams and leaders with clear, adaptable communication
Keynote Overview
Think deaf people don’t know how to communicate? Not even close.I show how multimodal communication and real-world strategies from my own experiences transform the way teams operate in high-pressure and complex environments. Through real-life stories, you’ll discover how adapting your communication style can turn fast-paced challenges into moments of connection, trust, and high performance. Instead of relying on one approach, you’ll see how blending multimodal cues, technology, and strategies helps groups collaborate, solve problems, and exceed expectations, especially when clear and adaptable communication is needed the most.
Audience Takeaways
Frameworks for leaders and team members to communicate clearly and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
Techniques to foster a culture of trust, where effective leadership and collaboration thrive across roles and backgrounds.
Turn communication challenges into opportunities to empower others and set a leadership example.
Designing the Future: Innovation through Intentional Design
Create environments where everyone can thrive and succeed
Keynote Overview
Picture a world where everything—whether it’s astronaut gear, software, or workplace systems—is thoughtfully designed for everyone can participate and excel. In this talk, see how intentional design, rooted in my work with accessible aviation and space research, fuels creativity, accelerates innovation, and drives organizational success by including everyone from the very beginning.When we design with intention and inclusion in mind, we don’t just improve access. We unlock untapped potential, inspire new ways of thinking, and set bold standards for what’s possible.
Audience Takeaways
Practical steps for building environments where leadership can flourish and everyone's strengths are amplified.
Strategies for leaders to drive creative problem-solving and open new doors for teams and talent.
Examples of how intentional design enables resilience and meaningful impact across industries.
"Courage means showing up and doing the work you believe in, even when you don't feel welcome. That’s where change begins."
Featured Videos
Video Description for Accessibility: Sheila appears in a one-minute reel posted by Wharton MBA, sharing how her education is preparing her to make an impact at the intersection of space, disability, business, and policy.
Video Description for Accessibility: Sheila sits with Hands & Voices and Morpheyes Studio at Rochester Institute of Technology for the "STEM Voices with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People" series, sharing her journey and experiences as a deaf woman in STEM.
What I Offer
Real-world stories and strategies from my experiences as a deaf female pilot, commercial astronaut training participant, and researcher.
Insights on leadership, teamwork, and creative problem-solving relevant across all industries.
Actions that challenge assumptions, reimagine possibilities, and drive innovation.
How I Can Support You
Motivate your audience to navigate their own barriers and pursue goals with confidence.
Equip your team with methods to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
Deliver sessions that leave every participant with next steps for positive, lasting impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Accessibility Commitment
Accessibility is a priority for me. Colors and text on this page have been checked for contrast and readability, and alt text has been added to images. If you notice anything that is not accessible or that could be improved, please let me know and I will address it right away.
Ready for Lift-Off?
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