Ilma Vallée
Logo with a blue silhouette of a child jumping and a plane, the word 'AviNation' in red, and the tagline 'Attract, Educate & Empower Youth in Aviation'.
Logo with white text 'SA' and 'MAGAZINE' on a black circular background.
Logo for Women in Aviation International featuring a stylized blue airplane and text.
Logo for 'Paths to Understanding' featuring a green tree and the text 'Paths to UNDERSTANDING' with 'UNDERSTANDING' in yellow.

Watch my talk: bringing play into serious business.

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What I Speak On

I speak to high-performers about unlocking more of their potential through the power of PLAY.

Drawing from my experiences as an immigrant, Air Force veteran, combat and airline pilot, adventure athlete, and storyteller, I share lessons from high-stakes environments and a life built by repeatedly stepping into the unknown.

I explore what play can unlock in people and teams: more connection, creativity, and resilience.

My Talk Explores

MENTAL FITNESS
Navigate fear, uncertainty, and adversity.

PLAY & HUMAN POTENTIAL
Unlock connection, creativity, resilience, and possibility.

PURPOSE & PASSION
Reconnect with what gives life energy and meaning.

Your Audience Leaves With

A shift in perspective. Practical tools. Small changes they can actually use.

They’ll leave ready to handle pressure, make room for play, reconnect with purpose, and unlock more of their potential.

Through storytelling, humor, and practical tools, I challenge audiences to reconnect with what makes them human, and stop rationing the things that make them come alive.

motivational speaker, Seattle WA, military veteran, female pilot, badass women

Media

Pathway to Wings 🎧
Bear Encounter ‼️
Worth Repeating 🎧
The Science Writer 📰
San Antonio Magazine 📰
Boston Bombing ‼️
AviNation 📰
Black Box Recordings 🎧
Aviation for Women 📰
Beyond the Rock 🎧
Go Find Out 🎧
A woman with long curly blonde hair standing on a stage, holding a microphone in her right hand, speaking. She is wearing a yellow top, brown pants, and colorful sneakers. She is standing on a red rug against a dark background.
female pilot
key note speaker, outdoor women, adventurer, positivity, veteran, air force pilot, female pilot, motivation
A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a pink top and camouflage pants, is standing on a stage-like area in front of a blue sky cloud backdrop, holding a microphone and gesturing with her hand. She is speaking to a seated group of children and teenag
A woman in a yellow top giving a presentation on stage with a microphone, in front of a large screen displaying a photo of a military aircraft and crew members.
A collection of aviation-related magazines and newspapers spread out on a surface, featuring covers and articles about aviation, pilots, and travel destinations. Notable publications include 'Aviation for Women,' 'AviNation,' and a San Antonio travel
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U.S. Air Force officer in uniform speaking at a press conference, holding a microphone in her right hand. The nameplate in front of her reads "Capt. Ilma Vallee, Flight Cmdr 558th Flying Training Squadron, U.S. Air Force."
A group of personnel in a dining hall, many wearing gray shirts with reflective suspenders, listen to a woman in a military uniform who is holding a microphone. Red water bottles and jackets are on the tables.
A woman motivational and inpirational speaking into a microphone on stage with Texas Public Radio signage in the background.
A woman in a pink shirt is speaking or singing into a microphone in front of a group of children seated on chairs, attending an indoor event. Several adults are standing in the background, and there are colorful balloons and display tables around the
A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a yellow top, brown pants, colorful sneakers, and purple socks, sits on a small stool on a stage with a red rug, holding a microphone and smiling.

Get in touch.

Whether it’s your team, your organization, or your community, let’s bring a little more PLAY into the mix. Reach out and let’s chat!