Dr. Samantha Weeks, Colonel, USAF (Retired)

Dr. Samantha “Combo” Weeks is a retired Colonel, having served over 23 years on active duty in the United States Air Force. She is a combat-proven fighter pilot who amassed over 2,200 hours flying the F-15C and F-16, including 105 combat hours.

She had the distinct honor of being the first female solo pilot on the United States Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, better known as the “Thunderbirds.” After retiring from the Air Force, Samantha used her military experience to mature and evolve the people and processes at Shift4 Payments, a $7B fintech company, where she was a successful Vice President and first-ever Chief Transformation Officer.

Dr. Weeks chose to retire in 2020, but continued her passion to support the military through her volunteer work as a Secretary of Defense-appointed member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women In The Services (DACOWITS), a Professional Ethics Advisor at the Air Force Academy, and as an Advisory Board Member at ROGER Bank, a newly designed digital bank to help military members with their financial future.

Dr. Weeks lives to inspire and empower the next generation with integrity, selfless service, excellence, and a bold, indomitable spirit. The same attributes that helped her succeed and achieve anything she set her eyes on. Today, her purpose in life is her two young sons and surviving the trials and tribulations of motherhood.