After three decades in the U.S. Air Force, Brig. Gen. (ret.) Kristin Goodwin knows what turbulence feels like. She has flown B‑2 Spirit stealth bombers through hostile skies, commanded thousands of airmen across two hemispheres and taught cadets how to lead when the stakes are life or death.
Today, she leverages the same mission‑driven discipline to coach CEOs, thought leaders, business executives and senior leadership teams worldwide.
Goodwin along with mental fitness coach Dr. Traci Goodwin, launched executive leadership development business The Delta-v in 2022.
The name comes from aerospace terminology: “delta‑v” refers to the change in velocity needed to reach a new orbit. In spaceflight, it’s the calculated thrust required to break free from one dimension and enter another. For Kristin and Traci Goodwin, the term perfectly captured the heart of their coaching philosophy because they help leaders generate the precise shift needed to rise to the next level.
“Every leader hits a ceiling,” Kristin explained. “Sometimes it’s burnout. Sometimes it’s a blind spot. Delta‑v is about supplying the shift—the right combination of insight, support, and clarity—to help them break through.”
For the Goodwins, it is a metaphor for transformative leadership.
“I may have stepped out of uniform, but the stakes haven’t changed,” Kristin Goodwin said. “Every leader I coach is responsible for the livelihoods of hundreds—sometimes thousands—of people. My focus is to help them move forward decisively while keeping their organizations strong and resilient.”
The Delta-v’s philosophy is simple: people first, mission always.
“Leadership isn’t about breaking glass ceilings — it’s about creating space for others to reach their potential,” Kristin explained.
From Stealth Bomber Cockpit to Boardroom
Kristin Goodwin’s résumé reads like a checklist of military firsts. She was the first woman to command a B‑2 Squadron, later led the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base and logged more than 3,000 flight hours, including 187 in combat. Her final uniformed post — chief of staff for Space Operations Command — put her at the nexus of the fledgling U.S. Space Force just before her 2022 retirement.
“When I left active duty, people assumed I’d slow down,” Goodwin said. “But I’ve never believed leadership ends when the uniform comes off—the mission simply evolves. Today my aim is to equip leaders around the world with the same clarity, discipline and courage that kept my crews alive in combat.”
Making the transition from military life to entrepreneurship wasn’t without challenges. For someone used to high-stakes decisions, global command, and military precision, civilian leadership required a different kind of adaptability.
“There’s no operations manual for leading a Fortune 500 boardroom,” Kristin said. “But the principles of trust, clarity, and accountability are the same. I just had to translate them to a new altitude.”
Both Kristin and Traci bring a unique perspective and complementary skills to The Delta-v.
“Vision is rarely the problem. What most leaders lack is a system that converts vision into momentum,” Kristin explained. “High performance isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about consistent execution under pressure. When leaders bring that level of discipline into their companies, transformation often follows and the culture shifts.”
Coaching at the Edge of Change
The Delta-v’s coaching model is built for leaders navigating high-stakes transitions—whether that’s scaling a startup, restructuring a global division, or integrating AI into legacy systems.
“We work with people who are already successful yet feel stuck,” Kristin said. “Our job is to help them shift perspective, reframe challenges, and unlock the next level of performance.”
Clients span industries from defense and aerospace to healthcare, tech, and nonprofit sectors.
One of The Delta-v’s most unique niches is coaching high-level performance coaches—former Olympians, pro athletes, and elite strategists who now guide others but need support themselves.
“Even the strongest leaders need a mirror,” Kristin said. “These individuals are used to performing at the highest level—but often, they carry unspoken pressure, identity shifts, or decision fatigue that no one sees.”
The Delta-v offerings include one-on-one executive coaching, team alignment workshops, and leadership development intensives.
The Delta-v’s signature program, “The Delta Advantage,” is designed to help leaders close the gap between where they are and where they aspire to be.
“It’s about leveraging that space between now and next,” Kristin said. “We help leaders turn uncertainty into opportunity.”
The firm’s impact is evident in client testimonials.
“Kristin is a performance-proven leader full of team-impacting wisdom,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corporation. “Her insights, examples, and questions aimed at making any team even better are delivered in an engaging and personable way.”
Leading with Heart and Precision
Goodwin’s coaching style is a blend of military precision and heartfelt empathy.
“I see my clients’ full potential—even when challenges obscure their view,” she said. “I’m committed to walking alongside them with genuine curiosity, practical wisdom, and unwavering support.”
Her approach is informed by her own experiences navigating complex systems and breaking barriers.
“I’ve led diverse teams through moments of profound change,” Kristin said. “That experience helps me guide others through their own transformations.”
Clients appreciate her ability to create a safe space for growth.
“Kristin’s genuine empathy and compassion were immediately evident to me,” said Adrien Plavsic, a former Olympian and NHL player. “With her support, I was able to confront and move past many of the emotions and areas where I felt stuck.”
A Global Impact
The Delta-v’s reach is international, with clients across the globe. The firm’s virtual coaching model allows for flexibility and accessibility.
“We’re able to connect with leaders wherever they are,” Kristin said. “That’s the beauty of virtual coaching—it breaks down geographical barriers.”
The firm’s impact is also evident in its speaking engagements.
“Brig Gen (ret) Kristin Goodwin has spoken twice at the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce,” said Lola Woloch, President & CEO of the chamber. “She literally is a Top Gun when it comes to Women in the Lead and Leadership in Action.”
Mindset Meets Impact: Meet Dr. Traci Goodwin
Behind every elite performer is a powerful mindset—and Dr. Traci Goodwin helps shape it.
As a Mental Fitness Coach, Dr. Traci Goodwin isn’t your typical leadership advisor. With more than 26 years of experience practicing dentistry—including founding and scaling a thriving group practice—Traci knows firsthand the pressure of balancing technical precision with the demands of entrepreneurship.
Dental school taught her how to perfect smiles. But it was the real-world challenges of building a business, leading a team, and maintaining personal wellness that taught her how to lead with resilience. Through it all, she learned how to:
- Navigate the complexities of business ownership
- Lead and grow a team with emotional intelligence
- Set boundaries that protect peace and prevent burnout
- Say “no” with grace—without sacrificing client trust
But success, she learned, came at a cost. At the height of her career, Traci found herself stuck—professionally accomplished, yet personally unfulfilled. What followed was a hard-won journey from burnout to breakthrough. That experience became the foundation for her coaching practice.
“My focus is helping leaders rewire the patterns that sabotage performance,” she shared. “That means breaking through inner narratives of fear, perfectionism, or comparison and rewiring for alignment, clarity, and confidence.”
Today, Traci combines her clinical discipline with a deep understanding of mental fitness, identity work, and neuroplasticity to help clients unlock their next level. Together, the Goodwins offer a holistic coaching model: Kristin brings operational strategy and high-performance habits, while Traci empowers leaders from the inside out.
It’s this integrative approach—part mission, part mindset—that gives The Delta-v its distinctive edge and lasting impact.
Charting the Course Ahead
As The Delta-v expands into new industries and international markets, Kristin remains grounded in the same values that shaped her military journey: integrity, service, and mission readiness.
“I’m not interested in transactional coaching,” she said. “I’m here to walk alongside leaders through the highs, the pivots, the burnout—and help them discover that the best chapters are often the ones they haven’t written yet.”
For Kristin Goodwin, leadership isn’t a title—it’s a responsibility. And whether it’s in a cockpit or a coaching call, her mission remains the same: lead with courage. Serve with heart. And help others rise.
