Driving Success Through Strategy, Execution, and Accountability
TOPGUN fighter pilot. Wall Street C‑suite executive. Founder. Bestselling author. The full record — from the cockpit to the C‑suite — and the mission behind it.
One Standard. Three Arenas.
Fighter cockpits, aircraft carriers, Wall Street, and a national mission. Different battlefields — the same discipline: PACED. Plan, adjust, communicate, execute, debrief — then run it again.
Trained by the best. Tested in combat.
I flew the F/A-18 Hornet on combat sorties over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch, and was mobilized for Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. I graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School — TOPGUN — on the Adversary track: the pilot whose full-time job is attacking everyone else’s plan.
As an F/A-18 instructor and adversary pilot, I taught the best aviators in the world how to survive contact with a thinking enemy. Every flight ended the same way: rank off, egos checked, a debrief where the truth mattered more than anyone’s feelings. “It’s not who’s right — it’s what’s right.” That operating system is the product.
From sea level to the C level.
I took the same discipline to Wall Street as Managing Director of Strategy at PEAK6 Investments, a multi-billion-dollar equity options volatility arbitrage firm and one of the fastest operations in finance, then founded and led PEAK6 Media — building the parent company of the Options News Network into a $25M company in under a year. In 2009 I founded TOPGUN Options, where we’ve spent 16 years training traders — training, not educating; training gives you a skill — to make disciplined decisions under pressure: $20M+ in revenue and thousands of traders strong.
Along the way I’ve written three books on leadership, markets, and resilience — including the international bestseller Strength and Gratitude — and I serve as a board advisor to DemeRx and Healing Realty Trust, because the leaders I respect most don’t just talk strategy, they sit at the table where it’s decided.
The mission that outranks them all.
In 2021 I founded the No Fallen Heroes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) with one objective: ending veteran suicide. Up to 44 veterans take their own lives every day. We refuse to accept that — funding healing retreats, supporting alternative and entheogenic therapies, and advocating for the warriors this country trained but failed to help heal. My mission: heal our heroes at home. That fight has taken me all the way to the White House.
Alongside it, I founded the Sacred Warrior Fellowship, a spiritual community helping veterans and first responders reconnect and come home. On the Max Afterburner podcast — ranked in the top 2.5% globally — I have the conversations about leadership, combat, and recovery that most stages won’t touch. And when the networks need it straight — on military operations, aviation, markets, or veterans’ issues — they call me: Fox News, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.
Pick the mission that matters most. Commit fully. Execute.
Briefed the Best. Backed by Results.
What executives, event leaders, and clients say after Whiz takes the stage.
Hibernia National Bank / Capital One Bank
Whiz is the only speaker I've seen in over four decades who seamlessly weaves his military and business experience together to provide solid takeaways for organizations. Our team immediately implemented debriefing and red teaming which improved our business dramatically. His leadership experience from the front lines to the front office is unequaled. Usually speakers receive warm applause when they're done - Whiz brought the house down with a standing ovation. As the President of Consumer and Business Banking for Capital One/Hibernia Bank I strongly recommend Matthew 'Whiz' Buckley.
Had it not been for the red team process, we would not have been ready for what our competitors threw at us. By being prepared, our global initiative turned out to be incredibly successful. Sales figures were off the charts. Thanks Whiz!
I was very fortunate to receive a jet ride with Whiz, which was one of the best experiences of my life. During it, we immediately connected on our mutual Navy service, love of our families, and supporting veterans. When the opportunity arose for a keynote speaker at my organization's leadership summit, I knew Whiz was the ideal leader to present. He flawlessly delivered! Whiz brilliantly connected the company's specific strategy and goals to proven and practical methodologies in the military and corporate world that can be utilized to achieve them. He is genuine, passionate, motivational, and inspirational. Whiz was so memorable that every subsequent speaker referenced him in their own presentation. Employees are still talking about Whiz and already began implementing the tools he shared, including debriefing and red teaming. Whiz is truly the "best of the best"!
NASDAQ Biotech & Aktivo Labs
Whiz can walk into a crowded room of thousands and within minutes the thousands gather around him. He has the natural ability, demeanor and soul to engage everyone. Couple this energy with being an incredible family man, a decorated Navy fighter pilot and a high performing business leader and add a meaningful mission, saving Veterans lives. Whiz is THE man to take your team to the next level - he's done it from the front lines to the front office.
Stratton Street Litigation Funding LLC
I had the privilege of working with Matthew "Whiz" Buckley, and I can say without hesitation that his experience as a TOPGUN fighter pilot and C level executive sets him apart as an extraordinary motivational speaker.
Whiz blew our event at the Aspen airport out of the water. His extensive business and military experience is unparalleled and his life story veering from tragedy to success is beyond moving. He flew his own fighter jet to the event and provided a couple people with the experience of a lifetime! Fight's On!
Book Whiz As Your Next Keynote Speaker
You’ve seen the record — the cockpit, the C‑suite, and the mission. If you want your leaders executing with that same standard, the next move is a conversation.
Tell me about your event. Every inquiry gets a personal reply from me — not an assistant, not an agency — usually within one business day.
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