Meet Courtney
Author | Speaker | Pilot
Courtney Schochβs journey is about owning her story and not letting it own her. Her mission inspires growth and discovery in others through education and stresses the importance of mentorship by honoring everyoneβs story regardless of their circumstances. Although being a pilot is her profession, Courtneyβs passion is her nonprofit. Through Runucate, she runs marathons globally to raise awareness and funds for adult literacy. A renewed focus on local communities led her to partner with and support Seeds of Literacy in Cleveland, Ohio.
Courtney Schoch, Pilot, Author, Speaker
Every Challenge is an Opportunity
As Courtney will tell you, a violent childhood in Atlanta, followed by a decision to drop out of high school, led her down a path of poor decision-making that continued for years. However, since earning her GED in 1992, Courtney has overcome some insurmountable obstacles in both her professional and personal life.
Setting the bar high, she overcame her fear of flying and became a pilot in 2002. Two years later, she was certified to teach aspiring pilots how to fly and follow their passions. In 2008, Courtney began her professional airline pilot career in an industry where fewer than 4% of pilots are women.
Within six years, she earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Aeronautical Science with specializations in Space Operations and Aerospace Safety Systems from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. A 2012 Women Future Leaders Scholarship award fueled her determination. In 2014, Courtney moved to Nicaragua and started a nonprofit, Runucate (run+educate), to provide educational scholarships and teach English in the local community while working as a pilot. She unexpectedly relocated full-time to the United States in May 2018 after political unrest erupted in Central America.
Her inspiring life story garnered national attention, and she was asked to deliver the Keynote Address at ProLiteracyβs Annual Conference (2019). She received a standing ovation from more than 700 educators, and LancΓ΄me Cosmetics took notice. Shortly after, LancΓ΄me β in partnership with ProLiteracy, Redken, LβOrΓ©al Paris, and LancΓ΄me International Makeup Artists β invited 40 women adult learners for an amazing day of beauty (inside and out), featuring Courtney as the special guest speaker.
Published Author
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As a young girl, Courtney thought her life in Atlanta was completely normal. Raised by both parents, she didn't notice the complexities that filled her life with pain and dysfunction until she began high school.
Her violent childhood and decision to drop out of high school eventually led to an unexpected teen pregnancy. In an effort to put the pieces of her life back together, she married an abuser who introduced her to the adult entertainment industry.
Public Speaker
Join Courtney Schoch on a journey of empowerment and transformation. Together, embrace the power of storytelling and chart a course toward a brighter, more empowered future. The stage is setβlet's make history together.