Melonie D. Parker, a chief diversity officer at Google, is a trailblazer in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion across global industries. Her role at Google has positioned her at the forefront of cultivating inclusive workplaces, championing underrepresented communities, and building equitable talent pipelines at one of the world’s most powerful technology companies. Parker’s expertise will be important to Hampton’s efforts to create a more inclusive and excellent academic environment, helping the University’s DEI strategies evolve to meet the needs of its diverse community. Her leadership will help enhance Hampton’s reputation for delivering a premier student experience, preparing future leaders for a global, technology-driven, multicultural society. 

Before her tenure at Google, Parker served as vice president for human resources and communications at Sandia National Laboratories, where she led strategic planning, executive communications, media relations, and community affairs. Sandia National Laboratories is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and supports numerous federal, state, and local government agencies, companies and organizations. 

She holds an M.A. in Human Resources from Villanova University and a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University.