Lucia Oswald offers practical advice and lifelong
experience in the aviation industry
Lucia Oswald is the vice president of business development for Global Elite Group, a company she has been with for over 12 years.
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
HOMETOWN: New York
HOBBY: Golf
FAVORITE BOOK: Any book by Marguerite
Duras
FAVORITE MOVIE: Not sure about this one.
TRAVEL GOAL: I think I’ve been everywhere I
wanted to go.
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: Live and let
live
Tracy Sandford shares her passion to help others
as senior director of communications and diversity
Tracy Sandford is the senior director of communications and diversity for LaGuardia Gateway Partners, a private company
responsible for redeveloping and managing Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport.
2021 AIRPORT V 28 OICE WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT
Oswald initially started in the aviation industry
working with TWA at John F. Kennedy
airport and stayed with the company for an impressive
37 years in various roles throughout her
time, including positions in the United States and
Europe.
When she began her career in the aviation
industry, at first she was fulfilling a desire to
travel the world, but over time she discovered
that she loved working in the industry and has
stayed with aviation for life. With so many years
working in aviation, Oswald has been witness
to an array of highs and lows, including unemployment
following the events of 9/11, when TWA
shut down operations at JFK. Despite those challenges,
within a year Oswald earned a new management
position, and remained loyal to the industry.
“I feel very connected to this industry and
the relationships I have developed,” said Oswald.
“The people
I work with at Global Elite have a passion for
the industry as I do and working with them is
most satisfying.”
In addition to the bonds she has formed over
the course of her career, Oswald is very proud
of the advancements she’s made throughout her
tenure. “I had a long rewarding career with TWA
and the other airlines I have worked with over
the years,” said Oswald. “While working with
Global for the past 12 years, I have watched how
this company has grown and I am proud to be
part of it.”
“I have to give some of this credit to the people
I worked for early on in the journey who gave me
opportunities to go further,” said Oswald. “Along
with my motivation and interest to get to know
all the aspects of the industry. At this point I will
continue to work for Global until I retire in a couple
of years.
With such an impressive and long career trajectory
in aviation, Oswald offers simple but
valuable advice for anyone interested in the industry.
“The aviation industry is complicated.
Be flexible and prepared for a dynamic and everchanging
environment.”
In her current role she oversees marketing
and communication as well as community relations
and diversity. Throughout her career, Sandford
has had the opportunity to be part of history
on more than one occasion in the aviation industry.
“I’ve been privileged to be part of two companies
who have transformed aviation in NYC,”
said Sandford. “First as part of the launch team
for JetBlue Airways and now here at LaGuardia
Gateway Partners as we debut the best-in-class
LGA Terminal B.”
Sandford hadn’t initially planned for a career
in the aviation industry after she earned
her marketing degree from Lehigh University,
but she found a position for a marketing role for
Virgin Atlantic Airways, and she was able to discover
that a love for aviation and travel.
Sandford’s passion has been a key factor in
where she is today, along with having support
from mentors along the way, like her first boss
who challenged and supported her and showed
her that “not only do women belong at the executive
level but they excel there as well. She taught
me how important teamwork and communication
is,” said Sandford.
She has similarly been a vital source of support
and change herself by using her role to help
other women move up in aviation through her
involvement through the MWBE (minority and
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
HOMETOWN: Hoboken, NJ
HOBBY: travel (of course!)
FAVORITE BOOK: I don’t have a favorite book
but every few years I do re-read Little Women
and always enjoy reading a good mystery
FAVORITE MOVIE: League of their Own (the
ultimate girl power movie!)
TRAVEL GOAL: Safari in Africa
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: “When you
write the story of your life, don’t let someone
else hold the pen”
women-owned business enterprises) program.
Helping others is not just a value that she prioritizes,
but something that she attributes to her
success along the way as well and her words are
great advice for anyone.
“At the end of the day, my goal is to feel fulfilled,
professionally and personally, and it’s important
to me to continually evaluate this,” said
Sandford. “Is there more I can do to give back
or help others? Do I wake up energized to get to
work? Is there something missing to make me
feel more fulfilled? I regularly check-in with myself
and readjust as needed.”