Deborah L. Parker

Deborah L. Parker (1955 -) operates from a platform of Leadership, Inspiration and Action! She is a motivational speaker and author who believes in using the wits and gifts that God gave her to help others professionally and personally. She grew up in Waverly Virginia as the oldest child of a single but very determined teen mother in the home of her wise maternal grandparents. These two situations impacted her love of learning, history and culture tremendously.

Deborah went on to graduate from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in Sociology then entered service in the army reserve where she continued to learn more about leadership, duty and perseverance. Deborah took those skills to positions in the corporate sector for a while, and then started her own company, The DPJ Training Group, where she specializes in seminars on leadership, diversity and communications. She also went back to school and received a M.A. in Human Resources from George Mason University.

Along the way Deborah has encountered various setbacks in her family, career, health and relationships, but the Lord has seen her through. Putting all of these experiences together, she published a motivational memoir in July 2011 entitled, Navigating Life's Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey, which has been well-received by many readers of all backgrounds. She shares a lot about her personal history in this book, to include honoring the memories and lessons from her family, local and national heroes that provide her a sense of identity and strength.

Her ebook, Life is A Review: Observations and Collections of My Passages Through the Times, is a compilation of her essys, poems and speeches from 25 years of writing.

Another book, For People of Strength, Soul, and Spirit: 7 Guidelines for Life & Career Success, part motivational speech, workbook, and history book, which focuses on goal achievement in the African American community.

Her family legacy and management work is . Hardcore Leadership: 11 Master Lessons from My Airborne Ranger Uncle's "Final Jump", which looks at the enduring life and in charge persona of this Vietnam Veteran and community leader with valuable points for today's leaders.

Deborah's most recent book is Tools to Cultivate the Promised Land: Working Wisdom from My Grandparents' Garden, a work that honors the cultural and family foundations for breaking new ground in any life situation.

The value of giving back and involvement in the community is important to Deborah and she is a member of the Loudoun County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chamber of Commerce, Metro DC Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, NAACP and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Herndon, Virginia.

When taking a break, Deborah enjoys travel, reading and long walks.