In today’s business and leadership landscape, a new class of executives is reshaping industries by combining deep professional expertise with a passion for mentorship, inclusion, and service. Among these influential leaders is Dr. Rhonda GloverReese, CEO of The Rhonda M. Glover Group, LLC, a firm specializing in coaching, mentoring, training,and development. With a career spanning more than three decades at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a lifelong commitment to developing people-centered leadership frameworks, Dr. Reese exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose.
The company is dedicated to instilling law enforcement leaders and guiding individuals seeking careers in the public service sphere. Her influence reaches far beyond law enforcement. Through her executive coaching, public speaking, and leadership development programs, she is enabling leaders in business, government, and community organizations with the skills imperative to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
We are more than elated to highlight her remarkable career journey, leadership philosophy, and her enduring mission to empower the next generation of leaders.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Dr. Reese was born in Annapolis, Maryland, and raised in Washington, DC. From an early age, she depicted both intellectual curiosity and a strong sense of social responsibility. Her pursuit of academic excellence reflects a career-long commitment to continuous learning. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, followed by a Master of Science in Management from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Her scholarly journey culminated with a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Her dissertation,titled“Making the Roadmap Visible: Black Female Leaders in Federal Law Enforcement Ascending to the Senior Executive Service,”fuels her focus on advancing women within leadership pipelines. In addition to her progress, she holds certificates in Nonprofit Executive Management from Georgetown University and Howard UniversitySchool of Business Executive Education – Global HR Institute.She also contributed to academia as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security at Pace University, New York.
This strong educational foundation would prove invaluable throughout her FBI career and in her subsequent role as a CEO, where academic rigor and practical experience blend seamlessly in her approach to leadership development.
FBI: A Distinguished Career
Dr. Reese’s professional journey is inextricably linked to her 34-year tenure with the FBI. She began in 1984 at FBI Headquarters within the Technical Services Division. She was promoted to the Laboratory Division as a photographer in no time. In 1987, she was working in the New York Office as an Investigative Specialist in the Special Surveillance Group, focusing on foreign counterintelligence.
In 1988, she fulfilled her enduring goal of becoming a Special Agent, assigned initially to drug violation cases at the Newark Field Office in New Jersey. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in major investigations, including TWA Flight 800, the Unabomber case, the Times Square bombing investigation, and the Sandy Hook shooting investigation.Her leadership trajectory accelerated swiftly, with the promotions that witnessed her managing critical programs across organized crime, counterintelligence, cyber operations, and professional development.
One of her most powerful roles was as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the New Haven Field Office, where she oversaw the National Security Branch and the Criminal/Administrative Branch. In these positions, she managed teams working on counterintelligence, counterterrorism, cybercrime, violent crime, gangs, white-collar offenses, and public corruption,while also serving as a Leadership Coordinator and Compliance Officer.
Her FBI tenure also opened avenues for mentorship and professional development. As a Program Manager for the Bureau’s Professional Development Program, she ensured new employees had access to structured guidance. She also led the Cross-Cultural Mentoring and Sponsorship Program. It was designed to transform leadership culture and expand diverse career development networks across the FBI.
Her trajectory at the FBI not only solidified her reputation as a highly effective leader but also molded her understanding of how coaching and mentorship could transform careers. It’s an insight that became the cornerstone of her entrepreneurial realm.
Recognition and Contributions Beyond Law Enforcement
Dr. Reese’s impact extends far beyond her formal roles. She has been consistently recognized for her contributions to law enforcement, leadership, and community development.
She is a Life Member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), where she created the NOBLE Youth Program in October 2001 and serves as the National Youth Committee Chairperson. To date, the program has impacted more than 4,850 youth. Her leadership within NOBLE underscores her lifelong commitment to preparing future leaders.
She has also been actively involved in organizations such as Women in Federal Law Enforcement, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Police Executive Research Forum. Through her work with the IACP’s Human and Civil Rights Committee, she developed the on-sitecommunity service projects and Explorers/Public Safety Cadets Project, which linked law enforcement and youth atthe IACP’s annual conferences.
Her accolades are equally impressive. In 2007, she received the FBI Director’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity, one of the Bureau’s highest honors, for advancing opportunities for women and minorities. In July 2013, she received NOBLE’s Lloyd Sealy Award for outstanding accomplishments in criminal justice, and in 2022, she was honored with the NOBLE Civil Rights Youth Services Organization Justice By Action Award. Her recognition also includes being named in one of Success Magazine’s “50 Women of Influence” in 2022 and one of EliteX’s “10 Fearless Women in Business” in 2024.
Each recognition reflects not only her accomplishments but also her enduring influence on industries, communities, and individuals.
Purposeful Coaching and Mentoring
Upon retiring from the FBI in 2018, Dr. Reese transitioned seamlessly into her next chapter, founding The Rhonda M. Glover Group, LLC. The Glover Group specializes in coaching, mentoring, and professional development for law enforcement leaders and aspiring public service professionals.
Her approach is distinct due to her unique blend of real-world experience and certified coaching expertise. Unlike generic coaching models, her methods draw directly from her lived experiences in law enforcement, enabling her to ask probing, contextually relevant questions that resonate with the clients.
She emphasizes that effective planning begins with helping clients discover their “why.” By encouraging individuals to gain a deep understanding of themselves, she empowers them to align their career decisions with their personal purpose. Her mentoring approach is equally impactful, particularly because she connects with both seasoned professionals and aspiring law enforcement candidates, offering tailored guidance informed by her remarkable career journey.
Leadership Traits Suggested for the Future Generation
Dr. Reese firmly believes that leadership development must begin early, particularly for those aspiring to careers in high-demand fields such as law enforcement. She identifies essential traits for young leaders, including:
These qualities, she emphasizes, not only prepare individuals for success within law enforcement but also give them the confidence and perspective to lead effectively in any sector. Her belief in developing well-rounded, holistic leaders is deeply tied to her own journey, one where technical expertise was always balanced by emotional intelligence and a genuine respect for human connection. For Dr. Reese, leadership has never been about titles; it has always been about people.
Emotional Intelligence and Modern Leadership
Among the many themes that define her philosophy, emotional intelligence,also known as EQ, stands out as a cornerstone. Dr. Reese often stresses that in modern policing and leadership more broadly; EQ is what allows leaders to bring out the best in others. It equips them to motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and earn the trust of the communities they serve. Leaders who are self-aware and mindful of emotional cues are better prepared to manage stress, inspire confidence, and nurture relationships that endure beyond the workplace.
She has seen firsthand how organizations thrive when EQ is embedded in leadership development. Stronger cultures take root, teams collaborate more freely, and communities feel a stronger sense of connection. In her coaching practice, Dr. Reese draws on proven tools, such as EQi-2.0 and EQ 360 assessments, to help leaders uncover their strengths, identify blind spots, and refine their ability to connect with others.
Collaboration and the Future
In today’s global landscape, Dr. Reese emphasizes the importance of collaboration. With criminal activity stretching across borders and cyberspace, no single agency can address these challenges in isolation. She highlights the FBI’s increasing commitment to building bridges with public and private partners as a model for the future, one rooted in shared responsibility and collective impact.
She also offers practical advice for those aspiring to careers in law enforcement. Rather than relying solely on conventional degrees in criminal justice, she encourages students to pursue diverse academic paths and follow areas of genuine interest. By developing versatile skill sets, young professionals will not only align more closely with the FBI’s evolving needs but also stand out as more competitive candidates.
Vision for the Future
Dr. Reese pictures the future of The Rhonda M. Glover Group, LLC, shaped by expansion and innovation. She has strategies to broaden her reach through more speaking engagements focused on leadership in law enforcement while also transforming her doctoral research into a ripple effect of empowerment where the leaders she trains go on to inspire and mentor others, multiplying her impact across generations.
At the heart of her leadership lies a guiding principle captured in one of her favorite quotes by Dr. Cornel West: “You can’t lead thepeople if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.” This principle underpins every aspect of her work, whether she is mentoring young people, coaching executives, or speaking on global stages.
A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Reese’s journey from FBI Special Agent to CEO of her own leadership development firm is more than a career path; it is a story of resilience, vision, and an unwavering dedication to service. Through her work with The Rhonda M. Glover Group LLC, she continues to transform lives by equipping leaders with the mindset, courage, and integrity to thrive in a complex world.
As organizations everywhere grapple with disruption, uncertainty, and the demand for social responsibility, her story offers a powerful blueprint for principled yet progressive leadership. By blending experience with emotional intelligence and a deep sense of purpose, Dr. Reese is not just shaping the leaders of tomorrow; she is leaving an enduring mark on industries, communities, and individuals alike.
