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From Grit to Greatness. From Puerto Rico to the Middle East: The Remarkable Journey of Ivette G. Dunlap
A Journey of Purpose, Resilience, and Reinvention.
How one woman turned humble beginnings, resilience, and passion into international impact as a leader, entrepreneur, and coach.
“Every challenge I’ve faced has shaped me into the person I am today. Perseverance and belief in yourself can truly change your life.”
Humble Roots, Big Dreams
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ivette grew up with a loving, devoted mother and a father whose challenging nature tested her strength from an early age. Though her beginnings were modest, her academic promise shone brightly. From elementary through middle school, she thrived in homerooms where every student was exceptionally gifted and enrolled in advanced courses.Her dedication and curiosity earned her a coveted spot as one of only 150 students selected annually from across Puerto Rico to attend CROEM the most prestigious boarding school for science and mathematics and technology on the island and in the Caribbean Region.
“I learned about CROEM when I was in sixth grade, and I told myself I will be a CROEM Alumni one day and TODAY, I am. CROEM was transformative. It taught me that I could compete, excel, and dream beyond the limits of my circumstances.”
Motherhood, Engineering, and Unstoppable Grit
Ivette’s story, however, was far from conventional. She married young and became a mother to three beautiful sons Iusteen, Alexavier, and Darryl while pursuing a demanding degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Generation. Balancing family and academics, she graduated in 1992, proving that resilience and ambition can coexist with motherhood but life’s greatest test came in 1997 when, as a newly divorced single mother, Ivette made the bold decisions to move to the United States with her three young boys. While working full-time, she earned her MBA in Global Business Management, often studying late into the night after putting her children to bed.
"I wanted my sons to understand that success is never defined by where you begin, but by the courage to keep moving forward, even when the path feels impossible. Today, as the proud grandmother of eight beautiful grandchildren Genisse (16), Keara (15), Ariya (12), Hahn (10), Miguel (8), Gianna (6), James (5 months), and little Yahir (just 4 weeks old), my heart overflows with hope. My deepest wish is that they will grow to be even braver, stronger, and more accomplished than I could ever dream to be. May they stand on my shoulders and reach heights far beyond my own, carrying forward the legacy of resilience, love, and boundless possibility."
Events, challenges, and experiences drive your growth, but it’s the person you become in the process that holds the real meaning.
Building a Global Legacy
Ivette carved out an extraordinary career in energy and engineering, holding senior leadership roles with Siemens Energy, ABB, GE, and Schneider Electric. She managed multimillion dollar international operations, led multicultural teams, and delivered results in complex, politically challenging environments.
Her passion for the Middle Easts parked at a young age eventually guided her career. She accepted expatriate assignments in Dubai, deepening her expertise and building invaluable relationships across the region.
Entrepreneur. Coach. Visionary.
In 2008, Ivette founded Dunlap Consulting Group LLC, dedicated to empowering young professionals and organizations through mentoring and coaching, renewable energy, and project management consulting. She later established DunlapIG Consulting FZCO in Dubai, UAE realizing her dream of living, working and becoming a resident in the Middle East.
Ivette’s personal journey also came full circle when she found love again and remarried. Her husband, Jeffrey Dunlap, has been a constant source of love and support, standing by her side as she continues to grow, lead, and inspire others around the world.
In 2023, Ivette traveled to Dubai and enrolled in a rigorous Coach Training and certification program at The Coaches.Training Institute (CTI GCC). This transformative experience deepened her commitment to empowering individuals and organizations through a holistic coaching approach.
Today, she is a Certified Professional Coactive Coach (CPCC), a founding member of Playbook Flagship, and a mentor to young professionals and women in STEM. Her work continues to transform lives, helping executives and entrepreneurs across the U.S. and Middle East achieve their full potential.
“My story is proof that with vision and determination, even the greatest challenges can become steppingstones to success.”
Career Highlights at a Glance
📌30+ years of international experience in energy, engineering, and consulting,
📌 14+ years as an entrepreneur and certified Co-Active coach
📌Led multimillion-dollar operations across the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East
📌Founded two consulting firms—in the U.S. and UAE
📌 Coached senior executives and emerging leaders across the UAE, Latin America and the Middle East.
Awards & Recognition
🏆Woman of Outstanding Leadership – International Women’s Leadership Association
🏆 Women of the Year Award – National Association of Professional Women
🏆 Customer Experience Award – Siemens Wind Service Operations
🏆 Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
🏆 CROEM Alumni Successful Stories 2018
🏆 CROEM Alumni Award 2022 — Top 10 Distinguished Women from CROEM
The Legacy Continues
Looking back, Ivette reflects with gratitude and pride:
“Every step, every challenge, and every risk prepared me for the life I live today. I built my career while raising three sons as a single mother. That journey shaped not only my strength but my purpose: to help others rise.”
Her story is not just about success—it is about resilience, vision, and the power of believing in something greater than circumstances. Ivette Dunlap is living proof that where you begin does not define where you can go.
