From there, Dr. Parker transitioned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Security Division. She served as a security specialist contractor for the Reinvestigations Unit, investigating concerns for FBI personnel, contractors, and employees assigned to highly sensitive divisions such as the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate.

“One moment that stayed with me occurred early in my investigative career when I realized that personnel security was never simply about paperwork or checklists; it was about people, trust, risk, and understanding the factors that shape human behavior,” Dr. Parker says.

Following her work with the FBI, Dr. Parker moved overseas to support the Department of Defense intelligence and security operations during Operations Enduring Freedom and Sentinel. Dr. Parker supported Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Afghanistan by managing security operations, communications security, personnel security matters and operational security matters.

In 2019, Dr. Parker transitioned to the private sector, where she currently serves as the Director of Security and Facility Security Officer (FSO) for DigiFlight. She oversees personnel security, industrial security operations, insider threat mitigation, and classified program compliance. Her role oversees security operations of nearly 500 cleared personnel.

“No two days are ever exactly alike, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the profession. A typical day may involve advising executives on classified program requirements, coordinating with government security agencies, managing personnel clearance matters, conducting insider threat assessments, supporting SCIF operations, developing security policies, preparing for audits or inspections, reviewing incident reporting requirements, mentoring security staff, or briefing employees on national security responsibilities,” Dr. Parker says.

Explain the “Why”

Security and compliance guidelines can often be seen as an obstacle rather than an asset. Dr. Parker has been working to change that.

“Throughout my career, I have worked to move organizations beyond “check-the-box” compliance approaches and toward more proactive, behavior-focused security cultures centered on education, accountability, and early intervention,” Dr. Parker says.

Dr. Parker encourages security leaders to know the “why” behind every action. That way, security leaders can provide thoughtful answers when explaining new security decisions to other departments. People are more likely to follow guidelines when they understand their purpose.

“Some of the most effective security professionals are those who can build relationships, educate others, and communicate risk clearly to both leadership and operational personnel,” Dr. Parker says.

Dr. Parker’s Ph.D. in Criminal Justice further informs her decisions when making threat prevention decisions.

“My forthcoming publication in the Journal of Strategic Security focuses on detecting, preventing, and mitigating insider threats within national security environments. Being able to bridge operational experience with academic research and contribute meaningful thought leadership to the evolving conversation surrounding insider threat prevention has been both personally and professionally fulfilling,” Dr. Parker says.

“Some of the most effective security professionals are those who can build relationships, educate others, and communicate risk clearly to both leadership and operational personnel”

The Importance of Mentorship

Growing up, Dr. Parker saw how “instability, poor decision-making, and lack of opportunity could impact entire families and communities.” This cemented how impactful mentorship could be on a person’s life. An early influence in Dr. Parker’s life was the former Marietta Police Chief Bobby Moody, who first introduced her to law enforcement and investigative work through a high school apprenticeship.

“I was also deeply impacted by Judge Adele Grubbs, who became both a mentor and a source of encouragement during a pivotal time in my life. She consistently reinforced the importance of discipline, education, and believing that my circumstances did not define my future. Her guidance helped me recognize that leadership is not only about professional success, but also about how you help others rise along the way,” Dr. Parker says.

Now that she’s in a position of leadership, Dr. Parker works to keep the same spirit of mentorship alive, though now she serves as the mentor rather than the mentee.

Equally important, if not more, is the impact of family guidance. Dr. Parker gives thanks to “my grandmother, Willie Mae Parker, who raised me and instilled resilience, faith, and accountability from an early age. She taught me the value of perseverance, education, and maintaining integrity regardless of one's environment,” Dr. Parker says. “I believe one of the greatest responsibilities of leadership is creating opportunities, offering guidance, and helping others navigate spaces they may not have had access to otherwise.”