Founder - Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Jessica Ruttenber, a trailblazing USAF pilot, overcame what she humorously calls her "vertical challenges" to become a Senior Pilot with over 3,000 flight hours. Throughout her distinguished career, she championed inclusivity, dismantling barriers for women and minorities in aviation and the military.

Jessica's advocacy led to the Department of Defense’s first maternity flight suit, symbolizing inclusivity and addressing female pilots' practical needs. She also drove change in aircraft design through Human Systems Integration, challenging outdated policies that excluded 44% of women from aviation based on height.

Jessica's efforts reached Congress with the Equality for Military Mothers Amendment in the FY21 NDAA, protecting over 200,000 Armed Forces members from discrimination due to pregnancy—a milestone in military equity.

Now retired, Jessica directs Level Up Aviation, empowering underserved communities to access aviation opportunities, continuing her mission to make the skies accessible to all.

Nichelle learned to fly in the mountains of Colorado when she was 16 years old. She worked odd jobs babysitting and ski instructing to have enough money to fly on the weekends.

Nichelle went on to serve in the USAF as a KC-135R Stratotanker pilot where she met her husband, another tanker pilot They have 3 kids and have settled back in Colorado where she is finishing her Air Force career as an Air Force ROTC instructor at CU Boulder.

In her spare time Nichelle drives her kids to and from various sporting events and hiking or skiing in the mountains.

Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Cathyrine Armandie, “Lilo’s”, career spanned over 1,600 flight hours, including 450 combat hours in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Lilo held leadership roles as the Deputy Commander of the 479th Flying Training Group, Commander of the 479th Student Squadron, and Commander of Air Force Recruiting Service, Detachment 1.

As a Commander, she led nearly 600 military and civilian personnel to oversee the training of 300 Combat Systems Officers a year.

Her time in Command was uniquely challenged by a global pandemic, the aftermath of a severe hurricane rendering infrastructure unusable, and near fatalities of multiple personnel.

Leading with strength and empathy, she created a positive culture of resilience ensuring mission success while prioritizing the safety, well-being, and professional development of her team.

After a career defined by excellence and service, Lilo retired in 2024 to launch her entrepreneurial journey, leveraging her strategic vision to empower her clients in a new arena.

Meet our Board Member Kamisha Smith. She is the proud owner of a 4-year-old fur baby named Bentley.
Major Kamisha Smith is the Maintenance Squadron Commander at the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, Birmingham, Alabama.

Major Smith enlisted in the 319th Air Refueling Wing in October 2003. While enlisted, she served as an Instructor/Evaluator Inflight Refueler and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. She received her commission through the Academy of Military Science in May

2012 and graduated from Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course Training in July 2013 an was assigned to the 117th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in 2013.

Meet Paul “TORO” Taggart. Paul is a Thrive Team spouse of Anne Parker and proud dad to Booker and Malcolm.

He has flown the T-34s, TC-12s, C-130E/Hs, C-21s, KC-135R/Ts, T-53s, and T-6s.

Paul is passionate about developing next generation Air and Space Force Leaders.

Random fact, he started an a cappella group when he was in college; Paul states “they’ve done much better without me.”

Kristen runs the daily fundraising sales operations and is an advisor to the board.