Susan Ocampo Family

Age: 68
Residence: Honolulu, Hawaii
Citizenship: United States
Marital Status: Widowed
Children: 3
Key Companies: Macom Technology Solutions, Sirenza Microdevices, GaAs Labs
Notable Recognition: #49 on ’ World’s Richest Self-Made Women (2025), #18 on America’s Richest Self-Made Women (2025)

Susan Ocampo’s personal profile reflects a life of resilience and strategic vision. After losing her husband and business partner, John Ocampo, in 2023, she has continued to lead and influence Macom’s trajectory. Her decision to remain actively involved — serving as vice president, secretary, and treasurer of GaAs Labs — suggests a deep commitment to the industry she helped build. Her residence in Honolulu, away from Silicon Valley’s epicenter, may reflect a preference for privacy or a deliberate choice to operate outside traditional tech hubs.

The “Self-Made Score” of 8 indicates that Susan Ocampo’s wealth was primarily generated through her own efforts — founding companies, managing operations, and holding long-term equity — rather than inheritance or marriage. This score places her among the most entrepreneurial billionaires, particularly notable given the male-dominated nature of the semiconductor industry. Her three children may or may not be involved in the family’s business interests, but no public information confirms their roles. Her status as a widow adds a layer of personal resilience to her professional achievements, as she continues to steward the companies she and her husband built together.

Susan Ocampo’s net worth is derived primarily from her ownership stake in Macom Technology Solutions, a publicly traded semiconductor company listed on the Nasdaq. According to the provided data, she holds approximately 15% of the company’s shares, making her the largest individual shareholder. This stake represents the core of her reported wealth, which is subject to daily fluctuations based on Macom’s stock price, market sentiment, and broader semiconductor industry performance.

As a board member and executive officer (vice president, secretary, and treasurer) of GaAs Labs — a technology investment firm cofounded with her late husband John Ocampo in 2008 — she may also hold additional private equity or venture interests. However, the provided data does not specify the valuation or liquidity of these holdings. Publicly traded equity remains the most transparent and quantifiable component of her net worth.

Her wealth is classified as self-made, with a self-made score of 8 out of 10, indicating that while she built her fortune alongside her husband, she played a significant and active role in founding, managing, and scaling the businesses that generated her wealth. Her position on Macom’s board and her continued involvement in GaAs Labs suggest ongoing influence over capital allocation and strategic direction, which may further impact her net worth trajectory.

It is important to note that net worth estimates for private individuals, especially those with significant holdings in public companies, are inherently approximate. Market capitalization of Macom, combined with her 15% stake, provides a baseline valuation, but does not account for potential tax liabilities, illiquid assets, or personal liabilities. Additionally, her residence in Honolulu, Hawaii, may influence estate planning and tax structuring, though no details are provided in the source material.

Her ranking at #1303 globally (as of the provided data) reflects the scale of her wealth relative to other billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. This ranking is dynamic and subject to change with market movements, corporate performance, and macroeconomic conditions affecting the semiconductor sector — an industry known for cyclical demand, technological disruption, and geopolitical risk.

Susan Ocampo’s wealth history is inextricably linked to the semiconductor industry’s evolution over the past four decades. Her journey began in 1984 when she and her late husband, John Ocampo, cofounded Sirenza Microdevices, a supplier of semiconductor components. This early venture laid the foundation for their later success and provided the capital and industry expertise that would fuel their next major endeavor.

The pivotal moment in her wealth accumulation occurred in 2012, when John Ocampo, as chairman, led Macom Technology Solutions through its initial public offering on the Nasdaq. Susan Ocampo’s ownership stake — reported at around 15% — was established prior to or during this IPO, positioning her as a major shareholder in a publicly traded entity. The IPO not only provided liquidity for early investors but also marked the transition of Macom from a private to a public company, subjecting its valuation to market forces and investor sentiment.

Between 2012 and the present, Macom’s stock performance has directly influenced Susan Ocampo’s net worth. Publicly traded semiconductor companies are subject to volatility driven by global demand for electronics, supply chain disruptions, technological innovation, and macroeconomic trends. Periods of strong growth in consumer electronics, data centers, or defense applications likely contributed to increases in Macom’s valuation and, by extension, her stake. Conversely, downturns in the semiconductor cycle or company-specific challenges would have exerted downward pressure.

In 2008, the couple cofounded GaAs Labs, a technology investment firm focused on gallium arsenide (GaAs) and related semiconductor technologies. While the financial impact of this venture on Susan Ocampo’s net worth is not quantified in the provided data, it suggests a strategic diversification into venture capital and early-stage technology investing. GaAs Labs may have generated additional returns through equity stakes in startups or licensing deals, though these are not reflected in her public net worth estimate.

Following John Ocampo’s passing in 2023, Susan Ocampo retained her position as the largest individual shareholder of Macom and continued her roles in GaAs Labs. This continuity indicates that her wealth was not contingent on her husband’s active involvement and that she maintains control over her stake and strategic decisions. Her continued presence on Macom’s board further underscores her active role in corporate governance and value preservation.

Her inclusion in ’ “World’s Richest Self-Made Women” (#49 in 2025) and “America’s Richest Self-Made Women” (#18 in 2025) reflects recognition of her entrepreneurial contributions and the scale of her wealth relative to other self-made female billionaires. These rankings are based on estimated net worth and are updated annually, providing a snapshot of her wealth trajectory over time. However, the provided data does not include historical net worth figures, making it impossible to construct a year-by-year wealth history without additional sources.

Looking ahead, Susan Ocampo’s wealth will continue to be influenced by Macom’s performance, broader semiconductor market trends, and potential strategic decisions such as divestitures, acquisitions, or changes in capital structure. Her role as a board member and major shareholder positions her to influence these outcomes, though the ultimate impact on her net worth will depend on market dynamics beyond her control.

Henry Samueli: Co-founder of Broadcom and a pioneer in semiconductor design. Like Ocampo, Samueli built his fortune through engineering innovation and company creation in the chip industry.

Jason & Richard Chang: Founders of ASE Group, one of the world’s largest semiconductor packaging and testing companies. Their success mirrors Ocampo’s in building infrastructure for the global chip supply chain.

Jensen Huang: CEO and co-founder of NVIDIA, a leader in GPU and AI semiconductor technology. While Ocampo’s focus is more on RF and analog components, Huang’s rise reflects the broader semiconductor boom that benefits all players in the ecosystem.

Kwak Dong Shin: South Korean semiconductor executive and investor. His background in Asia’s chip manufacturing hubs provides a regional contrast to Ocampo’s U.S.-based operations.

Weili Dai: Co-founder of Marvell Technology and one of the few women to co-found a major semiconductor company. Her story parallels Ocampo’s in breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated industry.

Susan Ocampo’s early life is not detailed in the provided data. No information is available regarding her birthplace, childhood, education, or early career prior to 1984. The first documented milestone in her professional life is the cofounding of Sirenza Microdevices in 1984 alongside her late husband, John Ocampo. This suggests that her entrepreneurial journey began in adulthood, likely after completing her education and gaining relevant industry experience, though specifics are not disclosed.

Given her later involvement in semiconductor companies and technology investment, it is plausible that she had a background in engineering, business, or a related field, but no evidence of formal education or early employment is provided. Her partnership with John Ocampo — who led Macom as chairman and took it public — indicates a deep professional and personal collaboration that spanned decades.

Her residence in Honolulu, Hawaii, may suggest a connection to the Pacific region, but no details are provided about her upbringing or how she came to be involved in the semiconductor industry. The absence of early life details is not uncommon for self-made entrepreneurs whose public profiles are shaped by their business achievements rather than personal history.

What is clear is that by 1984, Susan Ocampo was positioned to co-found a semiconductor components supplier, indicating a level of technical or business acumen that enabled her to enter a highly specialized and competitive industry. Her ability to sustain and grow this venture into a publicly traded company underscores her long-term commitment and strategic vision.

Susan Ocampo’s path to wealth is a testament to long-term entrepreneurship in the semiconductor industry. Her journey began in 1984 when she and her late husband, John Ocampo, cofounded Sirenza Microdevices, a supplier of semiconductor components. This venture provided the foundational experience and capital that would later enable their entry into larger-scale semiconductor manufacturing and public markets.

Their next major step came in 2008 with the cofounding of GaAs Labs, a technology investment firm focused on gallium arsenide (GaAs) and related semiconductor technologies. This move signaled a shift from component supply to strategic investment in emerging semiconductor technologies, positioning them to capitalize on innovation and market trends. Susan Ocampo’s roles as vice president, secretary, and treasurer indicate active involvement in the firm’s operations and governance.

The culmination of their entrepreneurial efforts occurred in 2012 when John Ocampo, as chairman, led Macom Technology Solutions through its initial public offering on the Nasdaq. Susan Ocampo’s ownership stake — reported at around 15% — was established during this period, making her the largest individual shareholder. The IPO provided liquidity for early investors and marked Macom’s transition to a publicly traded company, subjecting its valuation to market forces.

Her wealth is derived from her equity stake in Macom, which is subject to daily fluctuations based on stock price, corporate performance, and broader industry trends. As a board member, she continues to influence strategic decisions, though the extent of her operational involvement is not detailed in the provided data. Her continued roles in GaAs Labs suggest ongoing engagement in technology investment, though the financial impact of this venture on her net worth is not quantified.

Following John Ocampo’s passing in 2023, Susan Ocampo retained her position as the largest individual shareholder of Macom and continued her roles in GaAs Labs. This continuity indicates that her wealth was not contingent on her husband’s active involvement and that she maintains control over her stake and strategic decisions. Her inclusion in ’ rankings of the world’s richest self-made women reflects recognition of her entrepreneurial contributions and the scale of her wealth.

Her path to wealth is characterized by long-term commitment, strategic diversification, and active participation in the semiconductor industry. From cofounding a component supplier to leading a publicly traded semiconductor company, Susan Ocampo’s journey exemplifies the challenges and rewards of building a technology business over multiple decades.

Susan Ocampo’s empire is anchored in the semiconductor industry, a sector defined by high barriers to entry, capital intensity, and geopolitical sensitivity. Her 15% stake in Macom Technology Solutions — a firm her late husband John Ocampo took public in 2012 — represents not just financial ownership but strategic influence. Macom operates in RF and microwave components, serving defense, aerospace, and telecom clients — markets where reliability and compliance are non-negotiable. The firm’s niche positioning creates a moat, but also exposes it to supply chain fragility and export control regimes. Her co-founding of Sirenza Microdevices in 1984 and GaAs Labs in 2008 demonstrates a long-term, vertically integrated approach to semiconductor value chains — from component design to venture capital backing of next-gen materials. This layered structure mitigates single-point failure but concentrates risk in a single industry with cyclical demand and heavy regulatory oversight.

Ocampo’s leadership style is best described as stewardship-oriented, shaped by decades of partnership with her late husband and a hands-on role in governance. As vice president, secretary, and treasurer of Macom, she occupies a tripartite executive role uncommon in modern corporate structures — suggesting deep operational involvement and a preference for control over delegation. Her board membership and largest individual shareholder status imply a governance model where ownership and oversight are tightly coupled, reducing agency risk but potentially limiting board independence. Her self-made trajectory — rising from co-founder to top shareholder — reflects resilience and adaptability, traits critical in navigating semiconductor industry volatility. Her leadership is not flashy but functional, prioritizing continuity, fiduciary discipline, and long-term capital preservation over aggressive expansion.

Capital allocation under Ocampo’s influence appears conservative and strategic. Her stake in Macom suggests a preference for holding core assets rather than liquidating or diversifying aggressively. The founding of GaAs Labs in 2008 indicates a willingness to deploy capital into early-stage semiconductor ventures, particularly those focused on gallium arsenide (GaAs) — a material critical for high-frequency applications. This signals a long-term bet on specialized materials rather than commoditized silicon. However, the concentration of wealth in a single public company (Macom) and a private investment vehicle (GaAs Labs) creates significant concentration risk. There is no public evidence of large-scale diversification into unrelated sectors, suggesting a belief in the durability of the semiconductor value chain — a belief that may be tested by geopolitical fragmentation and technological disruption.

While no public controversies directly implicate Susan Ocampo, her empire faces structural and reputational risks. Macom’s exposure to defense and aerospace markets subjects it to stringent export controls, particularly under U.S. regulations targeting China and other strategic competitors. Any misstep in compliance could trigger sanctions or loss of government contracts. The semiconductor industry’s reliance on global supply chains — especially for rare materials and advanced packaging — introduces geopolitical risk, particularly as U.S.-China tensions escalate. Additionally, her status as the largest individual shareholder and board member creates governance risk: the lack of independent oversight may deter institutional investors or trigger regulatory scrutiny. Her late husband’s leadership legacy also casts a shadow — succession planning is untested, and the transition from co-founder to widow-led stewardship may invite questions about strategic direction.

Public records show no significant philanthropic activity tied to Susan Ocampo or her family. Unlike many self-made billionaires who establish foundations or public giving programs, Ocampo’s profile remains strictly business-oriented. This absence may reflect personal preference, privacy, or a strategic choice to reinvest capital into the semiconductor ecosystem rather than charitable causes. However, in an era where ESG metrics and social license to operate are increasingly critical, the lack of visible philanthropy could become a reputational liability — particularly if Macom faces scrutiny over labor practices, environmental impact, or geopolitical alignment. The absence of a public giving platform also limits her ability to shape narrative or influence policy through soft power.

Ocampo’s political influence is indirect but structurally embedded. As a major shareholder in a defense-adjacent semiconductor firm, she operates within a sector that is inherently political — subject to export controls, R&D subsidies, and national security reviews. Her firm’s clients likely include U.S. defense contractors and government agencies, placing her within the orbit of defense-industrial policy. While she has no known political donations or lobbying affiliations, her position grants her access to policymakers through industry associations and trade groups. The semiconductor industry’s strategic importance — underscored by the CHIPS Act and U.S.-China tech decoupling — means that even passive ownership carries political weight. Her influence is not exercised through campaign finance but through the economic and technological leverage of her holdings.

Susan Ocampo’s legacy is one of quiet endurance in a high-stakes, male-dominated industry. She co-founded Sirenza Microdevices in 1984 — a time when few women led tech startups — and helped build it into a foundational player in RF components. Her role in taking Macom public in 2012 and maintaining a 15% stake through market cycles demonstrates financial discipline and long-term vision. Her legacy is not defined by public accolades but by operational continuity and capital preservation. As a widow continuing her husband’s work, she embodies a rare model of spousal succession in tech — one that challenges traditional narratives of founder-led dynasties. Her legacy will be measured not by philanthropy or media presence, but by the durability of the companies she helped build and the resilience of her stake through geopolitical and technological upheaval.

• Profile: Susan Ocampo & family —
• Macom Technology Solutions investor relations — public filings and governance disclosures
• Sirenza Microdevices historical records — industry databases and trade publications
• U.S. Department of Commerce export control regulations — semiconductor sector guidelines