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Olga Custodio

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
4.5 out of 5

Retired Lt. Colonel, US Air Force; America's First Latina Fighter Pilot; Executive Director, San Antonio Chapter of Women in Aviation International; STEM Advocate

Olga Custodio

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
4.5 out of 5

Retired Lt. Colonel, US Air Force; America's First Latina Fighter Pilot; Executive Director, San Antonio Chapter of Women in Aviation International; STEM Advocate

Travels From Travels From:
San Antonio, TX, USA
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Olga Custodio Biography

The first Latina to complete U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training and graduate in the top 5% of her class (of 48) with a fighter qualification to fly the T-38 as an instructor pilot, Olga E. Custodio points to three principles that have helped her become successful in a profession dominated by men: overcoming self-doubt, staying open to possibilities, and seeing herself as an equal.

However, the path to her dream has not been a walk in the park. While studying at the University of Puerto Rico, she tried to participate in the university’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program but was denied the opportunity, as women were not allowed then.

But Custodio never gave up hope, and she went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a commissioned military officer—and then some. A female military aviation pioneer, she served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. As a pilot instructor pilot, she received an Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship for her handling of an engine failure in-flight emergency. After transitioning to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Custodio became the first American Airlines Latina commercial airline pilot and later upgraded to Captain. Besides the T-38, Custodio flew the T-41, B-727, F-100, B-757, and B-767. She owns a Cessna T210L and has flown several general aviation aircraft like the Stearman biplane, Cessna-172, Beechcraft-35 V-tail, Cirrus Vision Jet, and others.

Today, Custodio is retired with over 11,000 flight hours to her name. Now a speaker and community leader, she serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations (Latino Pilots Association, Order of Daedalians, Dee Howard Foundation, and Women in Aviation Alamo City), which advocate for inspiring and empowering students, especially those from underserved communities, to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Custodio supports the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), moderating several female aviation panels during AirVenture at Oshkosh, WI, since 2018. This year she presented two female panels representing Latinas in the aviation professions. As a STEM advocate, she has volunteered as a speaker and role model at local schools, universities, corporations, and military base groups, encouraging young women and men to reach their dreams. Custodio is a mentor with the Women in Aviation International, Aviation Explorers, and the School of Aeronautics of the InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico to mention a few. In 2017, she was inducted into the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame. Custodio is a co-author in the “Latinas in Aviation” anthology. She is included in “Nuestra América,” published by the Smithsonian Institution, as one of the 30 inspiring Latinas/Latinos who have shaped the United States. Custodio was the Honoree of the 35th Hispanic Heritage Foundation – 2022 STEM Award at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

By pioneering many firsts during her career, Custodio has shattered stereotypes and served as a powerful role model for aspiring pilots. From breaking barriers and overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated profession throughout her career, Custodio has gained essential life insights and perspectives that she shares with everyone, especially women working to achieve their dreams.

Custodio lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband of 49 years, Edwin—who is also her best friend, supporter, and advocate for everything she sponsors. They have two children, Marcia and Edwin II, and one grandson, Jedi. She shares her successes with her parents and family, her biggest supporters.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 05/13/2024.

Olga Custodio Videos

  • Stinson Virtual Field Trip with Olga Custodio
    Join the CSOs from Anson Jones elementary as they tour Stinson Airport with Olga Custodio. It started in 1915, when three siblings and two passions...
  • Lt. Col Olga Custodio USAF, American Airlines Captain retired ...
    T-38 instructor, Boeing 727, 757, 767 pilot. First Latina woman pilot and instructor in the USAF speaks to Maui Flight Academy, Cirrus SR22, ...
  • WGU 2020 Dallas Commencement Address from Olga E. Custodio ...
    WGU Commencement in Dallas, TX on February 22, 2020. America's first Latina fighter pilot, and STEM advocate Olga E. Custodio delivered ...

Olga Custodio Books

  • Latinas in Aviation: Stories of passion, power, and breaking into the aviation industry
    Latinas in Aviation: Stories of passion, power, and breaking into the aviation industry

Speaker Lists Featuring Olga Custodio

FAQs on booking Olga Custodio

  • How do I book Olga Custodio to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Olga Custodio for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Olga Custodio, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Olga Custodio or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Olga Custodio

    Speaking fees for Olga Custodio, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Olga Custodio are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Olga Custodio, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Olga Custodio speak about?

  • Where does Olga Custodio travel from?

    Olga Custodio generally travels from San Antonio, TX, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Olga Custodio’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Olga Custodio for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Olga Custodio for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Olga Custodio or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Olga Custodio is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Olga Custodio for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Olga Custodio generally travels from San Antonio, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Shayla Rivera, Amelia Rose Earhart, Linda Alvarado, Sylvia Acevedo and Lizzie Velasquez. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Olga Custodio for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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