Career and leadership for women in aviation are highlighted in a lecture.

On the evening of February 25th, at 7 PM, the ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group, hosted the 1st edition of the 2026 Lecture Series, featuring Maria Elisa Curcio, Senior Director of Corporate, Regulatory and Sustainability Affairs at LATAM Airlines Brazil. With the theme "Career and Women's Careers in Aviation," the executive presented a profound reflection on professional trajectories, leadership, and the specific challenges faced by women in historically male-dominated sectors.

Maria Elisa Curcio is a senior executive with a solid background in law, institutional relations, sector regulation, sustainability, and corporate governance. Currently, she leads the relationship strategies with public bodies, regulatory agencies, and multilateral stakeholders, holding a strategic position within one of the largest airlines in the country.

During the lecture, Maria Elisa shared her journey, which began in Law, moved through Social Sciences, and started during her internship. She recalled the challenge of balancing work and college, the insecurities of the beginning of her career, and the frustrations that are part of the professional growth process.

When discussing her start in law, she highlighted that self-confidence isn't something that comes naturally. In one of her speeches, she mentioned that self-confidence is built through practice, reinforcing that professional development happens through facing daily challenges and a willingness to learn continuously.

Maria Elisa offered important reflections on the emotional impact of motherhood on professional life. Among the points addressed were: guilt versus ambition, time management, support (or the lack thereof), and redefining priorities. She highlighted the importance of viewing reality strategically: "Not romanticizing, not dramatizing, but showing reality and strategy." Furthermore, she reinforced a central message of the evening: "There is no perfect balance, there is only conscious management of choices."“

At another point, the speaker presented five fundamental lessons learned throughout her career:

Self-confidence is built through practice;

Networking is a strategic asset;

Technical competence is fundamental, but it's not everything;

We need to occupy spaces;

Don't wait for validation to grow.

She emphasized that "networking is strategic for knowing where the opportunities are," broadening the students' vision of the importance of well-built professional connections. She also reinforced the need for proactivity: "We need to know how to occupy spaces and have examples that inspire us," explained Maria Elisa.

When discussing careers in aviation and the specific challenges, she addressed topics such as credibility, the technical environment, decision-making under pressure, and stereotypes, emphasizing the need for a clear stance: respect begets respect, and leadership does not require a masculinized posture.

Speaking to law students about the legal field within aviation, he emphasized that the role is strategic, international, regulatory, and multidisciplinary. More than just technical expertise, professionals need business acumen. "The lawyer is not just a technician; they are a risk manager and a business partner," he said.

Concluding her presentation, Maria Elisa left an inspiring message for the audience: "A woman can reach leadership positions, even where few women are seated at the boardroom table."“

The final proposal that preceded the students' question and answer session was an invitation to reflection: "Rewrite in one sentence how you want to be recognized professionally," a provocation that summarizes the spirit of the meeting: to take ownership of your own narrative, build a reputation strategically, and act consciously of your choices," the speaker concluded.

The first lecture of the 2026 Lecture Series reaffirmed the importance of discussing career, leadership, and representation, broadening horizons for those who wish to understand the aviation sector from the inside and prepare to occupy decision-making positions in the future. Stay tuned for upcoming events at ESEG College.