I’m Ilma Vallee — a military veteran, airline pilot, filmmaker, speaker, and adventure athlete. Born in Lithuania under the Soviet Union, I immigrated to the U.S. as a child, carrying a deep appreciation for possibility and change.

At 18, I enlisted in the Air Force as a cook, earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and became a combat pilot flying KC-135s. Today, I serve in the Air Force Reserve and fly for the airlines.

Outside the flight deck, I’ve run dozens of marathons, climbed Mount Denali, and earned my Master of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures & Television with a focus in Editing, blending storytelling with adventure and purpose. I also founded Don’t Ration Passion to help others step into discomfort, trust their grit, and live more boldly.