Her Story
About Carlotta
Carlotta Bowman, MBA, is a senior program management professional with more than 32 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry. She currently serves as a Senior Program Manager, leading complex defense and aerospace programs involving engineering, manufacturing, procurement, planning, finance, supplier management, and customer relations. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed high-value portfolios, including Department of Defense programs exceeding billions of dollars, while ensuring compliance with customer, government, and regulatory requirements.
Bowman has held leadership positions with organizations including Aurora Flight Sciences, Honeywell, Iridium Satellite, L3 Technologies, Boeing, and General Dynamics. She has extensive expertise in portfolio leadership, engineering program management, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), Agile methodologies, proposal development, supplier oversight, and cross-functional team leadership. Her ability to guide organizations through strategic planning, process improvement, risk management, and program execution has contributed to numerous successful contract awards and operational improvements.
She earned an Executive Master's in Global Leadership from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Master of Business Administration in Program Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Finance, completed three years of Electrical Engineering studies at the University of New Mexico, and earned an associate's degree in Education from Purdue University. Bowman is an active member of the Project Management Institute, the Society of Women Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. She has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Bravo Award, Excellence in Teaming Award, and Professional Achievement Award, and has supported charitable initiatives through WINGS and her leadership service with the Terramar Homeowners Association.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carlotta
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to more than 32 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, along with a genuine passion for program management. Throughout my career, I have embraced opportunities to grow, beginning as a contractor at Honeywell while balancing the responsibilities of raising a family and continuing my education. Those experiences strengthened my resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills. As a program manager, I have had the privilege of leading large cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, planning, marketing, and customer relations. Managing complex programs, customer requirements, government certifications, quality initiatives, schedules, and costs has reinforced my commitment to delivering results while empowering the people I lead.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to always work hard and stay actively involved. I have found that success comes not only from delivering results but also from building strong relationships and supporting the people around you. Whether it was bringing small holiday treats to my teams or fostering a collaborative work environment, I have always believed that genuine appreciation and teamwork create stronger organizations. Even as I navigate career transitions, I remain committed to contributing wherever I can and maintaining a positive outlook.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is simple: work hard because your dedication will pay off. Never underestimate the value of perseverance, continuous learning, and taking on challenging opportunities. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how determination leads to success. At Boeing, I redesigned the proposal process, improving performance metrics from red to green within three months and helping secure approximately $800 million in proposal opportunities, earning an Excellence in Teaming Award. At General Dynamics, I had the opportunity to support major aerospace and defense initiatives, including the Ryan program with Lockheed Martin, the Artemis launch, and the Orion program. Those experiences reinforced that hard work, initiative, and a willingness to solve problems will open doors throughout your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I am currently facing is navigating the uncertainty that comes with contract-based employment, as my current assignment is ending. At the same time, I see this as an opportunity for growth and reinvention. I am currently writing a book while actively exploring new career opportunities where I can continue applying my leadership, program management, and aerospace expertise. Every career transition presents a chance to expand your impact and embrace new possibilities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are perseverance, continuous learning, and the willingness to share my experiences to help others succeed. Having built my career in a predominantly male industry, I understand the importance of resilience and determination. My educational journey taught me valuable lessons—from earning an associate's degree in education, studying electrical engineering, and ultimately completing my finance degree while balancing family responsibilities. Although I faced difficult decisions along the way, each experience shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to lifelong learning. I believe that sharing my story can encourage others to overcome challenges, pursue their goals, and recognize that every step of their journey contributes to their future success.
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