Footlocker Executive to Pilot
Carole Hopson spent decades building a successful career in corporate America before making a dramatic change that would put her in the cockpit of a commercial airliner.
Hopson had already established herself as a respected business executive, including spending about a decade as a vice president at Foot Locker. But despite her accomplishments in the corporate world, she had another dream that she had not yet pursued.
At 58, Hopson achieved that goal when she became a captain for a commercial airline, proving that major career changes do not have an expiration date.
Her journey from corporate executive to airline captain is now being used to inspire another generation of women, particularly young Black women who may not traditionally see aviation as a career path.
Hopson is working toward an ambitious goal of helping send 100 African American women to flight school by 2035. The initiative reflects her belief that increasing representation in aviation starts with giving young women access to training, mentorship and a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them.
Her work extends beyond traditional aviation education. Hopson has also been helping young women learn how to build drones, introducing them to technology and engineering while showing them how those skills can connect to careers in aviation and other fields.
For the students involved, the lessons go beyond learning how to operate or construct a drone. They are being exposed to technical skills, problem solving and possibilities that can lead to careers they may never have considered.
Hopson’s own career demonstrates why that exposure can matter.
She spent years succeeding in the business world before stepping into an entirely different industry. Rather than viewing her age or previous career as barriers, she used her experience as a foundation for pursuing a lifelong ambition.
Her story also challenges the idea that career paths have to follow a straight line. A person can build expertise in one industry, start over in another and ultimately use those experiences to create opportunities for others.
That message is particularly important in aviation, an industry where women and Black professionals have historically been underrepresented.
By pursuing her own dream later in life and now working to help other women reach the cockpit, Hopson has turned her career transition into a broader mission.
Her goal of sending 100 African American women to flight school by 2035 is about more than producing pilots. It is about creating visibility and making sure young women can see aviation as a realistic possibility.
The young women learning to build drones are part of that effort. By introducing them to aviation and technology early, Hopson is helping demonstrate that the industry is not limited to the people they may have traditionally seen behind the controls of an aircraft.
Hopson’s journey offers a powerful lesson in perseverance: A successful career does not have to be the end of the story. Sometimes, it can provide the experience and confidence needed to begin an entirely new chapter.
At 58, Hopson reached the cockpit. Now, she is focused on making sure the next generation of women does not have to wait as long to discover that the sky is an option.
