Olga E Custodio

As the first Latina pilot in the U.S. Air Force and a pioneering Hispanic female captain in commercial aviation, Olga Custodio defines her success through three principles: overcome self-doubt, stay open to possibilities, and see yourself as an equal. After flying the T-38 as an instructor pilot, she served 24 years in the Air Force and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Olga then flew with American Airlines on the Boeing 727, Fokker 100, Boeing 757 and 767 accumulating over 11,000 hours of flight time and retiring as a captain. As a STEM advocate, Olga is a speaker serving as a role model for aspiring aviators. She is a tireless volunteer to inspire and educate students, especially from underserved communities. Her memoir Flightpath of Fortitude includes Olga’s essential life insights of how to overcome barriers and achieve your dreams.