Our Founder's Journey
From a Dream to a Movement
Meet the Founder
Amalia Andaverde
Founder & President | The ALAS Foundation
Hello! Welcome to ALAS, thank you for making a difference.
My name is Amalia, I am an airline pilot, Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII), aviation educator, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for creating greater access to aviation.
My journey began in 2018 with something seemingly small—a gifted private pilot ground school kit and a discovery flight.
Those opportunities introduced me to a world that would ultimately change the direction of my life.
While balancing work, motherhood, and flight training, I studied whenever I could—during breaks at work, between family responsibilities, and anywhere I could find the time. I went on to attend the American Airlines Cadet Academy, became a flight instructor, built my own aviation business, teach aviation and drone technology at the college level, and ultimately earned my Airline Transport Pilot certificate and a seat in the flight deck as a professional airline pilot.
But throughout that journey, one message from an early mentor stayed with me:
“Pay it forward.”
That became the heart of the ALAS Foundation — Aviation, Learning, Access & Scholarships.
I founded ALAS because I understand the difference that one opportunity, one mentor, or one person willing to open a door can make. My vision is to ensure that a young person’s circumstances, finances, or lack of exposure do not prevent them from discovering what is possible in aviation.
Through ALAS, I bring together students, educators, aviation professionals, industry partners, and community leaders to create scholarships, mentorship, hands-on experiences, and pathways into aviation and aerospace careers.
ALAS is more than introducing young people to airplanes. It is about helping them see themselves in spaces they may never have imagined they belonged.
Our Mission
To pay forward every opportunity that helped me take flight—and create even more for the generation coming behind her.
THE PATH AHEAD
A Vision for the Skies
"We aren't just teaching students how to fly; we're empowering them to believe that the horizon is only the beginning."
The ALAS Foundation was born from a simple belief: that the gift of flight should be accessible to every dreamer, regardless of their background. Our mission is to dismantle the barriers to entry in aviation through education, mentorship, and direct financial support.
Looking forward, we are expanding our reach to provide more comprehensive flight training scholarships and deeper industry connections, ensuring that our scholars are not only trained but positioned for lifelong careers in the cockpit.