Melonie Parker

Award-winning corporate leader Melonie D. Parker is the Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of Google, Inc. Ms. Parker's career has spanned more than three decades during which she has delivered measurable impact and equitable outcomes for communities across the globe. 

Known for coining the mantra, “we exist to close gaps,” Ms. Parker has served as a pioneer for legions of women in corporate environments with a deep commitment to advancing internal and external engagement strategies with a proven blueprint for more inclusive and accessible companies where everyone belongs. Ms. Parker is an innovative C-suite thought leader who is passionate about people and organizations that remain true to making a substantive impact. 

As the driver of Google’s commitment to addressing the tech industry’s lack of diversity in its workforce as well as amongst emerging entrepreneurs, Parker works with academic institutions and aspiring business leaders to help build pathways and expand the pipeline to tech. She also partners with institutions and organizations to spearhead trailblazing research. Her proudest achievement is the development and ongoing execution of Google’s racial equity commitments which are focused on building sustainable equity, both internally and externally.

Prior to Google, Parker served as the Vice President of Human Resources & Communications at Sandia National Laboratories where she oversaw human resources, health benefits, and employee services. The first black woman to serve in the role, she was also responsible for Sandia’s communications efforts which included strategic planning, executive communications, media relations, external branding, community affairs, and internal communications. 

Parker held a variety of progressive leadership roles over a 17-year period at Lockheed Martin and during her time there, she managed employee relations, staffing, diversity programs, compensation and benefits packages, and K-12 outreach initiatives. She is also a graduate of Lockheed Martin’s Executive Assessment & Development Program—a rare accomplishment for women of color and human resources professionals. 

Parker received a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University and an M.A. in Human Resources from Villanova University. Named to Savoy Magazine’s 2023 Most Influential Executives in Diversity & Inclusion, recognized by the Hampton University Alumni Association, nominated as a Corporate Catalyst on AfroTech's Future 50 List for 2023 and presented with a Sisters with Superpowers award presented by Rolling Out UrbanStyle Weekly, Parker was named HR Professional of the Year in 2016 by the New Mexico Society of Human Resource Management and in 2014, she was recognized with a Special Recognition Award at the Women of Color STEM Awards.