From Aerospace Engineer to Unapologetic Changemaker | Adriana Ocampo Senior’s (UN)scripted Journey

What happens when a Latina aerospace engineer climbs to the top of a global defense company—then makes the bold, (UN)CONVENTIONAL decision to walk away?

In this must-listen episode of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison sits down with Adriana Ocampo Senior, founder of Transcend Influence Ascend (T.I.A.), to explore her extraordinary 30-year leadership journey from Colombia to BOEING—and beyond.

Adriana opens up about breaking barriers as one of the youngest female engineers in manufacturing in the 1990s, navigating corporate identity, and redefining what authentic success looks like. Through the lens of the three defining “UN” words—UNSTOPPABLE, UNCONVENTIONAL, UNAPOLOGETIC—she reveals the mindset shifts that drove her career, confidence, and calling.

Now, after leaving corporate life, Adriana is empowering minority and women-owned businesses to win government contracts, expand their influence, and build generational legacy through T.I.A.

This episode is a powerful blueprint for leaders, women in STEM, corporate trailblazers, and anyone ready to lead with courage, authenticity, and impact.

✨ Themes & Takeaways

• UNSTOPPABLE: Turning childhood dreams into a global aerospace career

• UNCONVENTIONAL: Breaking rules, boxes, and barriers as a Latina engineer

• UNAPOLOGETIC: Owning your brilliance and leading with authenticity

• DEI & Inclusion: Real talk about the future of equity and representation

• Life After Corporate: Reinventing identity after leaving BOEING

• Empowering Small Business: Helping MWBEs secure government contracts

• Legacy Building: What it means to lead boldly, visibly, and purposefully

Timestamps:

(00:00) Welcome to (un)conversations®
(00:48) Meet Adriana Ocampo Senior
(03:02) The (UN)word Effect
(06:40) UNSTOPPABLE: Resilience & Early Career
(15:26) UNCONVENTIONAL: Being the Youngest Female Engineer
(21:00) Mentorship, Allies & Breaking Barriers
(31:04) UNAPOLOGETIC: Authenticity & Confidence
(35:58) Why I Quit Boeing: The Unscripted Journey
(37:00) Redefining Identity Beyond Corporate Titles
(45:30) Life After Corporate: Starting T.I.A.
(50:00) The Future of DEI
(57:20) Small Business Innovation & Legacy
(1:02:50) Final Reflections
(1:04:57) The (UN)wrap Up & Outro

About the Host & Guest:

Dr. Alison L. Schmidt, Founder of Unconvention and host of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison helps leaders and organizations unlearn what no longer serves them—and lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.
Website: www.unconventionllc.com

Adriana Ocampo Senior, founder of Transcend Influence Ascend (T.I.A.), Adriana leverages 30+ years of engineering leadership to help minority and women-owned businesses secure government contracts, scale sustainably, and lead with unapologetic influence.
Website: www.adrianaocamposenior.com

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