Meet the Founder
A Life Driven by Purpose. A Mission to Make a Difference.
I'm Jessica Malmstedt, founder and owner of Intentional Drive LLC and its creative division, Rise Above Studios. I'm an FAA-certified remote pilot, student pilot, author, and inspirational safety speaker. While those titles may seem like an unusual combination, they're connected by something that has guided me throughout my life: a genuine love for people, a curiosity about the world around me, and a desire to make a meaningful difference.
The Heart Behind Rise Above Studios
My professional journey includes more than a decade in safety, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and community outreach. Those experiences taught me the importance of relationships, the power of human connection, and how even the smallest moments can leave lasting impressions.
Through Intentional Drive, I share a deeply personal story about distracted driving, encouraging audiences to recognize the value of a single moment and the choices we make every day. I'm also the author of Intentional Kitchen: Recipes for Every Table—No Matter How You Eat, a cookbook inspired by my love of cooking, bringing people together, and creating connection around the table.
My passion for aviation, photography, history, and storytelling eventually led me to establish Rise Above Studios. What began as a fascination with seeing the world from a different perspective has grown into something much more meaningful.
I've come to believe that being mission-driven isn't about having one particular career or following one predictable path. It's about recognizing the opportunities in front of us and using our experiences, talents, and relationships to make a difference in the lives of others.
Today, I combine aerial and ground photography, videography, historical research, and personal storytelling to help families preserve their legacies, communities celebrate their histories, and businesses share the people and passion behind what they do.
I believe some of the most extraordinary stories belong to ordinary people. Too often, we don't fully recognize the impact someone has made until their story can no longer be told in their own words. I want to help change that.
Whether I'm behind a camera, flying a drone, speaking to an audience, or enjoying lunch out of the back of my car between shoots, I approach life with curiosity, gratitude, and a willingness to embrace opportunities that come my way.
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My mission is to touch other hearts, celebrate the difference people make, and preserve stories that deserve to live on. Because when we live with intention and lead with purpose, the impact we leave behind can be limitless.