CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS - VOL. 1
Graciela Tiscareño-Sato
CURRENT POSITION
Air Force Veteran, Bilingual Author & CEO of Gracefully Global Group, LLC
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
KC-135R Aerial Refueling Tanker
FAVORITE QUOTE
“On the other side of fear is the best version of yourself.”
FUN FACT
I’m the author of the award-winning, bilingual Captain Mama children’s aviation book series – the first-ever book series in two languages about women flying airplanes!
Olga Nevarez Custodio
CURRENT POSITION
Lieutenant Colonel, USAFR, Retired
Captain, American Airlines, Retired
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
The T-38. I was the first Latina woman to fly it.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Querer es Poder.”
“Where there is a will, there is power.”
FUN FACT
I recently appeared in a Modelo beer commercial.
Jacqueline Pulido
CURRENT POSITION
Flight Instructor & Airbus 320 Captain
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus 320. The more you fly it the more you love it.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If God is your copilot, switch seats.”
“The Lord will guide you always.” Isaiah 58:11
FUN FACT
I was the first woman pilot at Volaris Airlines.
Andrea Palacios
CURRENT POSITION
Captain Embraer 190, Conviasa Airlines
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
The Embraer 190. It’s my home away from home!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“It is necessary to love to fly.” -Amelia Earhart.
FUN FACT
I can’t stand insects and as a child, a scorpion stung me at a hotel in Orlando-Florida.
Jessika Hernández
CURRENT POSITION
Flight Instructor at JW Aviation
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Tie between the Boeing 747 and the F-18 “Super Hornet”
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Life is too short to choose anything that doesn’t light a fire inside of you.”
FUN FACT
My friends say that I love my milk with a splash of coffee and as a Colombian, I probably should be better at my coffee etiquette.
Maria Elena Alvarez
CURRENT POSITION
Transformation Manager at Airbus Defense & Space, Executive Coach
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
The Eurofighter Typhoon
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The sun always shines, even if you do not see it
because it is hidden behind the clouds.”
– Rafaela Camps, my mother
FUN FACT
I was born in Cuba, grew up in Spain, married a German in England, and now live in Germany.
Maria Laskowski
CURRENT POSITION
Multinational Account Manager, Aeroméxico
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
More space, more amenities…it’s beautiful!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Traeume nicht dein Leben, sondern lebe deine Traeume”
(Don’t dream your life; live your dreams!)
FUN FACT
I met my husband in Vegas.
Lizbeth Alvarado
CURRENT POSITION
Air Traffic Controller, O’Hare International Airport
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
B1 Lancer. It’s a heavy aircraft that maneuvers like a fighter plane!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Life doesn’t always turn out like we expect it, and that’s OK!”
FUN FACT
I work in a tower even though I’m afraid of heights.
Susana Lissette Ibarra
CURRENT POSITION
First Officer, Kuwait Airways
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus350. Beautiful, spacious, sophisticated and my dream airplane to fly!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The strongest actions for a woman is to love herself, be herself, and shine amongst those who never believed she could.”
–Unknown
FUN FACT
If someone told me years ago that I’d one day be living in Kuwait, flying for Kuwait Airways, I would never have believed them.
Jacqueline Prences Valle
CURRENT POSITION
Internationally Certified Pilot & Owner of Nevería
Michoacána, LLC
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Cessna 210. I have so many good memories of that plane!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”- Martin Luther King Jr.
FUN FACT
I personally make all the popsicles we sell at my business.
Ana Uribe-Ruiz
CURRENT POSITION
Co-President, Bay Area Chapter, Women in Aviation International
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Piper Archer II
I like the low wing planes!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The sky is never the limit; it’s the beginning of a journey!”
It’s my personal motto!
FUN FACT
Back in Ecuador, I was a ballerina for eighteen years and even danced professionally.
Amanda Grace Colón
CURRENT POSITION
Aircraft Mechanic & Accident Investigator
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
SR71 Blackbird
Used for NASA high-speed, high-altitude aeronautical research.
Hope to see one someday in a museum!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Somewhere something incredible is waiting to be known.”
–Carl Sagan
FUN FACT
I hope to someday go to Mars.
Daniela raquel Carabajal
CURRENT POSITION
Corporate Pilot
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
F4U Corsair and the Challenger 300
It’s “my office” these days!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Querer es poder.” –Maria Carabajal (my mother)
(“Where there is a will, there’s a way.”)
FUN FACT
I used to be a gymnast and hope to someday try aerobatics.
Ana Paula Gomez
CURRENT POSITION
First Officer, Copa Airlines
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Aerobus 380. I hope to fly one to longer routes one day.
FAVORITE QUOTE
Rely on faith.
FUN FACT
I am the only Mexican woman pilot at Copa. The air traffic controllers know me by my accent!
Castalia Serna
CURRENT POSITION
Deputy Commissioner, Concessions & Customer Service
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 747. My husband is from France and it always took me comfortably across the Atlantic to see him when we were dating.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Challenges bring opportunities.”
FUN FACT
Growing up, I was always the oddball.
Yasmine Abu Arab
CURRENT POSITION
Flight Instructor at ATP
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
FAVORITE QUOTE
“There’s more to life than being a passenger.” – Amelia Earhart
FUN FACT
My bucket list goal is to take acrobatic flying lessons.
Melissa Montiel Jimenez
CURRENT POSITION
First Officer
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 777–such a classic design!
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
FUN FACT
I’m a pilot that’s afraid of heights and thinks skydiving is completely illogical. Fly the airplane, don’t jump out of it!
Linda Pfeiffer Pauwels
CURRENT POSITION
American Airlines Boeing 787 Captain & Check Airman
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 787. The way it feels when it flies is incredible.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Dolium volvitur: An empty cask is easily rolled.”
FUN FACT
In addition to English, I am fluent in French and Spanish, and studied Sanskrit.
Sandra Granados
CURRENT POSITION
BBJ Lead Flight Technician, Gary Jet Center
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 747- It is and will always be the “queen of the skies” and my forever “wow!”
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Don’t ever negate your gift. Embrace it, nourish it, strengthen it, and share it.”
FUN FACT
I recently visited my seventy-third country.
Jeannette Collazo
CURRENT POSITION
Aspiring aviator & President of Lurdez Consulting Group, Inc.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Remos GX
It’s the plane that helped me love aviation.
FAVORITE QUOTE
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference “ -Reinhold Niebuhr
FUN FACT
I’m a study in opposites—I love kickboxing and meditation.
About Fig Factor Media
Fig Factor Media will ignite your career as an author and offer proven methods to transform your mission into a movement. We help you define your passion to serve others and elevate the community, as well as impact the next generation with your story. We believe writing is an extension of your soul. Contact Fig Factor Media today and start making your dream of authorship come true!