Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA) is advancing Latino representation across every corner of aviation and aerospace through mentorship, scholarships, and industry partnerships that create real opportunity.
Representation matters in every part of aerospace. From the flight deck to engineering labs, control towers, and corporate offices, Latino professionals continue to make significant contributions in this industry yet remain underrepresented. Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA) was founded to change that by advancing Latino talent across all disciplines, not just in the pilot seat.
“When you can see it, you can be it,” says LPA President Claudia Zapata-Cardone. “Seeing a Latino in a career that you envision for yourself validates that we belong in this industry. That visibility inspires the next generation and helps retain talent because people stay where they are seen and valued.”
Mentorship provides mutual growth
Although Latinos make up nearly one in five Americans, they are still a small percentage of aerospace professionals overall. That lack of representation makes it harder for young people to imagine themselves in these careers, which limits recruitment and long-term retention. LPA addresses this challenge by focusing on access, awareness, and opportunity across all sectors of the industry.
Through mentorship, community, and more than $3.2 million in scholarships awarded since LPA’s founding in 2015, the organization has opened doors for thousands of aspiring professionals. LPA’s Aspiración Mentorship Program connects current members with experienced professionals who help them navigate career transitions, leadership roles, and professional goals. Separately, the ALAS youth pipeline introduces high school students to aerospace careers early through hands-on experiences and exposure to Latino professionals already in the industry. Together, these programs create a path that supports Latinos from dream to reality.
“Mentorship is how we lift others while we climb,” says Zapata-Cardone. “Having someone who believes in you, guides you, and opens those crucial doors allows dreams to become careers.”
Many students and early professionals still face limited awareness of how broad the aerospace field truly is. LPA’s outreach brings those opportunities to light, showing that success is possible in every technical, operational, and leadership role.
Industry partnerships are also a key part of progress. Zapata-Cardone encourages companies to “invest in outreach, internships, and leadership pipelines that intentionally include Latino talent. Partnerships mean creating opportunities for Latinos, not just talking about it.”
The sky is not the limit
Looking ahead, LPA’s goal is clear: more Latino engineers, technicians, A&Ps, controllers, designers, aviators, and executives leading across every discipline. Latino cultural values such as family, community, and resilience remain a strength in this work. “Those values are our secret superpower,” says Zapata-Cardone. “Our families teach teamwork, our community gives us purpose, and our resilience fuels perseverance. That makes us exceptional in every role.”
Her message to the next generation is simple: “The sky is not the limit. It is our beginning. The aerospace industry needs the Latino community’s ideas, creativity, and passion. Latinos belong in every space, and that includes aerospace.”
