Olga Custodio She/Her
Keynote Speaker: Lt. Colonel (Retired), US Air Force; America’s First Latina Fighter Pilot, Executive Director of the San Antonio Chapter of Women in Aviation International & STEM Advocate
Fields of expertise:
Not only did Custodio become the first female Hispanic pilot, but she was the first Latina to complete U.S Air Force military pilot training.
Custodio was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to a father that served in the United States Army. Traveling around the world with her father were a few key factors in her career choice. She joined the United States Air Force and completed officer training school in January 1980.
Custodio's first assignment was at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. There she became the first female instructor for the Northrop T-38. While in the USAF Reserves, Custodio was hired to fly for American Airlines, making her one of the first Latina commercial pilots. Of her career, Custodio said: “My mantra is ‘Querer es poder.’ I believe everyone has the potential to do it. They just have to believe in themselves enough to actually do it.”
Custodio retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel serving 23 years. Upon her retirement, she continued to make history by becoming the first Latina commercial airline captain as well.
