Mamie Parker

Mamie Parker (born October 14, 1957) is an American biologist, conservationist, executive coach, facilitator, and inspirational speaker from Wilmot, Arkansas. She holds a PhD in limnology from the University of Wisconsin and spent 30 years with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in a variety of positions in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. She also served as USFWS Chief of Staff and Chief of Fisheries. Her mother was a single parent and supported the family by working as a sharecropper.

In 2003, she was appointed USFWS Assistant Director of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation. She was the first Black woman to hold this position. In this position, she provided leadership on national projects, including the National Fish Habitat Action Partnership, and served as the facilitator at the White House Conference on the Environment. Clients include the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, the Bureau of Land Management, Defense Language Institute, the USFWS, the Maryland Department of Labor, the Department of the Interior, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Department of Labor, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Ducks Unlimited. In a 2016 address, she noted: "As one of very few women of color working in conservation at that time, I was a pioneer. It can be lonely when you're a pioneer, because you're all by yourself." On encouraging minority youth to enter conservation careers, she has said:"When I speak to youth, I tell them about my story as a pioneer conservationist and call them to action....I ask them to think about the things they can do to better their communities. Several youth have expressed interest in pursuing careers in conservation, marine biology and environmental justice, fighting the environmental inequality that communities of color often face."'' and serves on the board of the Chesapeake Conservancy, the National Wildlife Refuge Association Board of Directors Advisory Council, Marstel-Day's Advisory Council, and Brown Advisory's Board of Directors on the Sustainable Investing Advisory Board. She also serves or has served on the boards of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Retirees Association, Student Conservation Association, The Virginia Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University School of the Environment Visitors Board, the Potomac Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Defenders of Wildlife. She was appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.