In this conversation, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Retired Lt. Col. Olga E. Custodio, the first Latina to fly for the United States Air Force and later, the first Latina commercial airline captain in the U.S. Olga shares the deeply personal and professional journey behind her groundbreaking aviation career—one that began after starting a family, not before. Together, they unpack cultural norms, leadership, and the rollback of DEI initiatives in today’s aviation climate. Olga discusses how women—especially Latinas—can stand firm in spaces where they don’t yet see themselves reflected, and why now is the time to preserve and elevate our stories, even as others try to erase them. This episode is a masterclass in persistence, purpose, and public service.
Major Themes & Concepts
✅ Equity and excellence are inseparable — high standards demand broad access
✅ Male and female allies accelerate change when they mentor across lines of difference
✅ Family first doesn’t mean career last — marriage and motherhood became Olga’s edge
✅ Confidence comes from preparation, faith, and self-trust
✅ Institutional bias can be dismantled once a pioneer proves the system wrong
✅ Stories must be preserved — cultural erasure is real, so publish, podcast, and archive
✅ Leadership’s tone sets the pipeline — talent thrives where inclusion is deliberate
✅ Legacy lives in service — lift as you climb, then stay accessible for the next generation
Chapter Breakdown
00:00 | Equity fuels excellence
01:11 | Olga's historic military and airline firsts
03:26 | Military childhood shaped global worldview
07:28 | Marriage and motherhood built career foundation
12:19 | Persistence despite bias and rejection
19:00 | DEI rollbacks threaten aviation’s future
24:11 | Latina pilots belong—find your allies
30:15 | Leaders must champion inclusive pipelines
34:12 | Stay visible, grounded, and accessible
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