Eren Ozmen is Chairwoman and Owner of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the global aerospace and national security leader. As owners of SNC since 1994, Eren and her husband, Fatih Ozmen, who is SNC’s CEO, are the driving force behind SNC’s remarkable journey from small high-tech startup to multi-billion dollar global leader in aerospace and defense.

Known for her tenacity and drive, Eren is the business mastermind behind SNC’s extraordinary growth and continued success to become recognized as the Top Woman-Owned U.S. Aerospace & Defense Company.

Eren began working for SNC shortly after receiving her MBA, later acquiring the company with Fatih in 1994. Under their leadership, SNC grew from a small company with just 20 employees into a trusted, award-winning, global aerospace and defense enterprise. Over the years, Eren and Fatih steered SNC to expand in new and promising directions, including 20 strategic acquisitions.

In 2021, Eren and Fatih launched Sierra Space, an independent commercial space company, from SNC’s space capabilities. Leveraging breakthrough technologies including the Dream Chaser® spaceplane and expandable LIFE™ habitat, Sierra Space is building the future of space transportation, commercial space destinations and space technologies to create a vibrant and accessible space economy. As principle partners with Blue Origin, Sierra Space is building Orbital Reef, a visionary business park in space that will open commerce and affordable access to space for humanity.

Over the years, Eren has received many prestigious awards and recognition including being named among the Top 10 of “America’s Most Successful Self-Made Women” and on the inaugural “50 Over 50” list by Forbes. Eren was also recognized as one of the Top 15 Most Influential Women in Aerospace by Business Insider. She has received numerous industry awards including the BENS Eisenhower Award, the NDIA James Forrestal Award and the Service to the Flag Award from Women in Defense. Eren also served on the board of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Under Eren and Fatih’s leadership, SNC was recognized as a US Best Managed Company for two consecutive years. They were also presented with honorary doctorates by their alma mater, the University of Nevada, Reno, and honored as Living Legends of Aviation.

Eren’s vision for making a positive impact extends beyond her business ventures. Through the Ozmen Family Office, she and Fatih support a variety of causes including STEM initiatives and medical research. They also led establishment of the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship and the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies at UNR.

With humility and gratitude for the opportunities America has afforded them, the Ozmens are committed to pay it forward to the country that catalyzed their success. In particular, Eren is proud of her role in creating and supporting thousands of American jobs.

Awards & Recognitions:

  • “50 Over 50” list honoring extraordinary women leaders – Forbes
  • Top 10 “America’s Most Successful Self-Made Women” – Forbes
  • Top 15 Most Influential Women in Aerospace – Business Insider 
  • BENS Eisenhower Award for advancing national security
  • Service to the Flag Award – NDIA, Women in Defense
  • James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award – NDIA
  • “Great Immigrants, Great Americans” – Carnegie Corporation of New York’s
  • Living Legends of Aviation 
  • Aviation Entrepreneurs of the Year
  • Honorary Doctorate of Science – University of Nevada, Reno