Olga Custodio She/Her

Lieutenant Colonel Olga E. Custodio (USAF, Ret.) is a pioneering aviator, leadership expert, and internationally recognized keynote speaker whose career has broken barriers in both military and commercial aviation. As the first Hispanic woman to complete U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training, she became the first Latina U.S. military pilot. She later made history again as the first Hispanic female commercial airline captain at American Airlines, paving the way for future generations of women and minorities in aviation.

A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Olga earned her commission through Officer Training School in 1980 and graduated in the top five percent of her pilot training class. During her distinguished 24-year Air Force career, she became the first female T-38 instructor pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base and later the first female T-38 Pilot Instructor Training instructor at Randolph Air Force Base. Her exceptional skill and composure earned her the Air Education and Training Command Aviation Safety Award after safely landing her aircraft during a life-threatening in-flight emergency.

While serving in the Air Force Reserve, Olga joined American Airlines in 1988, where she accumulated more than 11,000 flight hours flying the Boeing 727, Fokker 100, Boeing 757, and Boeing 767 across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Her career is a testament to resilience, excellence, and the courage to lead where no one has gone before.

Today, Olga inspires audiences around the world with powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, courage, and breaking barriers. Drawing on decades of experience making critical decisions in high-pressure environments, she challenges individuals and organizations to embrace change, lead with confidence, and transform obstacles into opportunities. Her authentic storytelling and practical leadership insights resonate with audiences across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

A passionate advocate for aviation, STEM education, and leadership development, Olga continues to mentor the next generation of military and civilian aviators while championing greater opportunities for women and underrepresented communities. Her many honors include induction into the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame and recognition by the Puerto Rico Senate for her groundbreaking achievements and lifelong service.

With a career defined by firsts, Olga Custodio demonstrates that true leadership is about more than making history—it's about creating opportunities for others to soar.