2024 HHMA Recipient

Eren Ozmen’s impact on the aerospace and defense sectors is undeniable. As the Chairwoman and Co-owner of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), she has been instrumental in transforming a small, high-tech startup into a global powerhouse. Under her leadership, alongside her husband and Chief Executive Officer Fatih Ozmen, SNC has grown from 20 employees to a workforce of over 4,000, operating across more than 40 locations worldwide. This expansion has established SNC as the leading woman-owned federal contractor in the United States, with billions in annual revenue.

Today, Eren Ozmen leads a portfolio of companies, each with their own vast contributions to humanity. SNC is a next-generation prime providing transformative solutions that safeguard freedom. Recently, SNC secured the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) contract with the U.S. Air Force, a $13 billion endeavor to build the next “Doomsday Plane.”

Sierra Space, also owned by Ozmen, has completed over 500 space missions, 14 of which were to Mars. Notably, the Dream Chaser spacecraft is contracted by NASA for multiple cargo missions to the International Space Station, with its first flight scheduled for 2025.

Ozmen’s remarkable journey is as compelling as the success of her companies. Born in Turkey, her fascination with space began at age 11, listening to Apollo 11 land on the moon via radio. This passion led her to the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where she funded her education through part-time jobs and a graduate assistantship. It was at UNR where she reconnected with Fatih, setting the stage for their partnership in both life and business.

In 1994, the Ozmens took a significant risk by using their home as collateral to purchase the struggling company in a management buyout. Eren, who initially joined SNC as a consultant, quickly became the company’s first controller. Her financial expertise was critical in turning SNC around and laying the foundation for its future success.

Under Eren and Fatih’s leadership, their companies have received many recognitions over the years, including being named one of the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space” by Fast Company. The Dream Chaser spacecraft also earned Popular Science’s “Best of What’s New” award, and SNC was named “Aerospace Company of the Year.”

Eren has received numerous individual honors, including the James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award from the National Defense Industrial Association in 2021.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ozmen is also widely known for her philanthropy. She and her husband have donated millions to UNR, establishing the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship and the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies. In 2016, they received honorary doctorates from UNR, and in June 2024, they donated $1.13 million to launch the university’s Aerospace and Defense Academy. Their generosity extends to military and veteran support, STEM education, and disaster relief efforts.

Ozmen’s story is not only one of professional triumph, but also of profound personal dedication—both to her industry and to the broader community.

Congratulations, Eren Ozmen, and thank you to you and SNC for your extraordinary contributions to aviation and aerospace.