“A person never truly dies until their spirit is completely forgotten and the last person who they’ve touched has perished. So long as we continue to keep the spirit alive, it continues to serve the world.” – Jarard Paige, J. Elliot Marketing
Serving the World by Paying It Forward
In 2012, J. Elliot Marketing in partnership with Women in Aviation International (WAI) announced the $2,500 Christine Reed Memorial Flight Scholarship. Christine passed away before she was able to reach her dream of becoming a private pilot. So to keep her spirit alive, J. Elliot Marketing offers an annual scholarship to women ages 16-30 who have already soloed and are working towards their initial pilot certificate.
Meet Nataša Vratonjić – 2025 Scholarship Recipient
In January 2025, our 12th scholarship recipient was selected – Nataša Vratonjić – whose passion for becoming a pilot was ignited during her time as a flight attendant with Emirates.
Originally from the “very, very small town” of Ivanjica, Serbia, Nataša has traveled and transitioned extensively in pursuit of her dream. With a Bachelor’s degree in IT (Belgrade, Serbia), a Master’s degree in Financial Economics (Katowice, Poland), as well as years of corporate experience, including her time as a flight attendant based in Dubai, Nataša is now pursuing her passion for flight in the Midwest of the United States.
Take a moment to learn about Nataša’s career and life transitions, how her experience in the cabin prepared her for the cockpit, and how she plans to pave the way for others in support of their dreams.
Now that you’ve been awarded the Christine Reed Memorial Flight Scholarship, how might it help you to achieve your dreams?
Flight training is a significant financial commitment, and this scholarship truly helps ease that burden while bringing me one step closer to achieving my dream. But beyond the financial support, it’s an incredible source of motivation, reminding me that all my hard work and dedication are paying off. Opportunities like this make a huge difference in helping me stay focused and driven as I work towards becoming a professional pilot. I’m more determined than ever to keep pushing forward, stay disciplined, and make the most of this amazing opportunity.
In pursuing your dreams to become a pilot, you made not one, but two bold moves; 1) moving to the US and 2) changing careers. What prompted you to take such bold steps?
Change wasn’t easy at all, but my determination and clear goals keep me pushing forward every day. I saw the United States as the best place to chase my dreams—full of opportunities and a place where I could truly see myself growing, as long as I stayed committed and kept moving forward. Switching careers was definitely a challenge—the struggle was real, and it still is. However, I knew that my true passion was flying, and it always will be. Routine has never suited my personality; I’ve always thrived on challenges, pushing my boundaries, and finding opportunities to grow in every way possible. No matter how tough the journey gets, my love for aviation drives me to keep going and stay focused on achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a professional pilot.
How have you been able to juggle transitioning to a new country/culture, with your new career, aviation studies, flight training, and even the cold and crazy weather living in the Midwest?
The worst part of coming here was definitely facing the extreme cold weather. I immigrated to US and the Midwest in the middle of a freezing winter with strong gusty winds—coming straight from the Far Middle East across the ocean, where I was used to hot, dry weather with temperatures soaring above 40°C every day. I have to say, I only enjoy gusty winds when I need to practice my crosswind landings—ha ha! But honestly, the Midwest offers a great opportunity to experience both hot, humid summers and freezing, gusty winters, which allows me to understand how the airplane behaves in different conditions, making me a more well-rounded pilot.
The transition to my new career hasn’t been easy—and it still isn’t. I had already adapted to the cabin crew lifestyle, constantly dealing with jet lag, changing time zones, and new cities, so stepping into a completely different role was challenging. But my passion for aviation keeps me going.
Adjusting to a new culture, however, was never really an issue for me. I love embracing and exploring new places, mindsets, and cultures while staying true to my own and sharing it with others. I see it as an opportunity to grow and expand my horizons.
As far as my studies go, it’s true that I’ve had to start over from scratch. I earned my Bachelor’s in one field, my Master’s in another, and now here I am, starting fresh once again—this time fully confident in my choice and excited about the journey ahead.
How does your previous experience working as a flight attendant for Emirates impact your skills in the cockpit?
My experience as a flight attendant with Emirates has given me a ton of valuable insights into SOPs [standard operating procedures] and cabin operations—things that are absolutely essential for a smooth and safe flight. One of the biggest takeaways for me was just how important communication between the flight deck and the cabin crew really is. It’s the key to ensuring everything runs safely and efficiently, and being in the cockpit, I’ve learned to always think one step ahead when it comes to what the cabin might need, especially during emergencies when quick thinking makes all the difference.
At Emirates, safety is everything, and the training I received really drilled that into me. I gained a deep understanding of safety protocols and emergency procedures, which are now second nature to me. But it wasn’t just about safety—I also learned what it takes to deliver world-class service and create an exceptional experience for passengers. All of this experience has given me a unique perspective that I now carry with me in the cockpit, helping me stay sharp, proactive, and always focused on both safety and the overall flight experience.
What has been the most challenging part of your flight training?
I’d say the most challenging part of my flight training has definitely been learning to land an aircraft with confidence and proficiency. Landing really is an art—something you have to keep mastering over and over again. Getting everything just right takes a lot of practice, patience, and fine-tuning.
Another big challenge for me was my solo flight. It was a huge milestone in my journey and a real test of everything I had learned up to that point. Being up there on my own, making decisions without my instructor beside me, really pushed me to trust my skills and stay focused. But in the end, it was one of the most rewarding experiences, giving me a whole new level of confidence in my abilities as a pilot.
What has been the most thrilling aspect of your flight training?
Honestly, everything about flight training has been thrilling for me. Learning new things—especially about aviation and airplanes—has been incredibly exciting, and I find myself looking forward to every lesson. There’s just something about stepping into the airplane, taking off, and realizing I’m in control will never get old. The best part is that there’s always something new to learn in theory and practice, which keeps it interesting and constantly challenges me to grow as a pilot. Every flight brings a new challenge and a chance to improve, whether it’s perfecting maneuvers, handling different weather conditions, or simply enjoying the incredible views from above. The entire journey, from my first takeoff to where I am now, has been an amazing adventure that fuels my passion for flying even more.
You stated in your scholarship essay that “Receiving this scholarship would not only help me achieve my personal goals, but it would also inspire me to give back to the aviation community…” What are some of the ways you envision giving back to the aviation community?
I envision giving back to the aviation community in several meaningful ways. First and foremost, I’d love to share my experiences and journey with others—whether it’s mentoring aspiring pilots, offering guidance to those just starting their training, or simply sharing insights to inspire others to pursue their dreams in aviation. I also plan to volunteer at aviation events, helping promote the industry and supporting those as passionate about flying as I am. And one day, when I can do so, I’d love to give back financially by contributing to scholarships and programs, just as I’ve been fortunate enough to receive support. Aviation has given me so much already, and I believe it’s essential to pay it forward and help others achieve their goals in any way I can.
If you could look ahead 10 years and list all of the accomplishments you wish to achieve (both in an and out of the cockpit), what would you list?
That’s a tricky question, and I’m sure the list would be pretty long if I started writing it all down. But one thing is for sure—I want to keep learning and growing within the aviation industry year after year because I genuinely see myself retiring in this field. Some of my goals include those I mentioned earlier, like giving back to the aviation community and continuing to push my personal and professional limits.
Ten years is a long time, and while it’s hard to predict everything that lies ahead, I know that each year, I set new goals and expectations for myself that keep me motivated and striving for more. I’ve always believed that challenging myself is the only proven way to grow and move forward, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me both in and out of the cockpit.
J. Elliot Marketing is proud to have Nataša as the 12th recipient of the Christine Reed Memorial Flight Scholarship. By helping others reach their dreams, J. Elliot Marketing keeps Christine’s spirit alive. Perhaps this minor step serves to inspire others to think of ways they can share their passions with the world and find ways to pay it forward.
This year’s scholarship selection was made possible with the assistance of Therese Groome (Christine’s aunt and godmother), who stepped in gracefully to serve as a finalist reviewer, in honor of her sister, Joan Reed, who served in that role for the first 10 scholarship periods. Thank you to Therese for your time, support, and dedication to this effort.
J. Elliot Marketing has had the pleasure of helping numerous clients plot the best course to achieve their goals. These clients have included major academic medical centers, one of California’s largest school districts, a global technology firm, as well as a host of small businesses in providing e-commerce, accounting, professional writing, and professional services.