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During Women Exceeding Barriers, being that she has broken several barriers in her career, she was an excellent contribution to the discussion, which focused on the challenges that women face in male-dominated industries, how they can overcome them.

Morgan Stewart, MBA

Management and Aviation Departments
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Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

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​Ret. Lt. Col. Olga Custodio represents and presents a world-view drawn directly from the breadth of her life experiences, duties and achievements on the global stage...She unifies with her words in a manner that few can.

 Annette Sanchez

Vice President /COO|HR ​
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www.ElConcilio.org

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Lt Col Custodio provided an extraordinary and intimate glimpse into the individuals who made a difference in her life and those who acted as positive role models for her.  She shared challenges and successes with our audience comprised of Big Brother/Big Sister mentors, Board Members, kids in the program, alumni, our stakeholders and elected officials.  ​

Armen Babajanian

Chief Operations Officer
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas

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Being the only Aviation University in the Caribbean and looking forward to attracting Hispanics and Females to this exciting career, we found in Captain Olga Custodio the perfect person to do both! As a guest speaker at the Inter American University School of Aeronautics where she was again able to generate in the students a lot of interest in the aviation careers. Her ease of speech, knowledge, positive aura, and ability to communicate in both, English and Spanish, made her a definite favorite among the students and faculty.

Inter-American University School of Aeronautics

​Aeronautical Students Association
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​San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Olga Custodio’s visit was nothing short of fantastic. We had the pleasure of hosting Olga, a trailblazer and aviation pioneer who has shattered ceilings and soared to new heights. The event was an absolute success, and Olga's examples of how she persevered through many obstacles captivated and resonated with students, faculty, and staff.

​-Dr. Miguel A. Maria​

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​Springfield Technical Community College

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 About

Olga is a Retired Lt Colonel from the United States Air Force (USAFR) Reserves with 24 years of service and a Retired Captain from American Airlines with over 11,000 flight hours.  

She received her commission through Officer Training School in 1980.  She was the first Latina and among the first military female pioneers  to graduate from U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT).  Graduating in the top 5% she received her fighter qual to become the first female UPT T-38 Instructor Pilot at 47th Flying Training Wing at Laughlin AFB, TX and the 560th Flying Training Squadron for Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) at Randolph AFB, TX.

Flying for American Airlines, Olga flew the Boeing 727, Fokker 100, Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 to the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and U.S.  Her education and professional certificates include an Air Transport Pilot certificate with single and multiengine land and instrument ratings, a Flight Engineer Certificate - Turbojet Powered rating.  She continues to fly her own aircraft as a GA pilot.
Model Especial Commercial
Good Morning America 3rd Hour
Del Mar College

Podcast with Shaesta Waiz
​June 2025