Dr. Markeesha Reed is a Service-Disabled U.S. Army Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, and respected small business strategist with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, human resources, and federal program support. Her career is grounded in purpose, service, and results — whether leading in uniform, launching ventures under pressure, or guiding others to scale with integrity.

After serving eight years in the U.S. Army — including a deployment to Iraq — Dr. Reed transitioned her military discipline into business leadership. She founded her former company in 2012 out of necessity, while balancing life responsibilities, and formally began operations in 2016, securing her first federal contract in 2017. From that moment forward, she transformed the business into a high-performing federal contracting firm with a portfolio exceeding $30 million, creating over 50 jobs and building lasting relationships with more than 200 government and private-sector partners across seven states.

Dr. Reed’s work has earned national recognition. She was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Metropolitan Business League, featured in the Washington Business Journal and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services’ Women Veterans newsletter, and acknowledged as a subject matter expert by the U.S. Department of Labor’s SkillSource Group for her ability to translate military experience into civilian language for veterans across all branches of service. She also served as the lead contractor for the National Guard Bureau, providing education and career counseling to transitioning service members nationwide.

Known for her ability to develop strategic customer relationships and drive organic growth, Dr. Reed has a deep understanding of how federal regulations and supplemental policy shifts directly influence operational forecasting and business agility. Her background spans HR consulting, organizational development, SBA certification readiness, and leadership coaching — making her a sought-after partner for veteran-, woman-, and minority-owned businesses ready to grow in both government and commercial markets.

A Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Dr. Reed is known for building high-performing teams, aligning mission-driven operations, and leading change with clarity and confidence. Her military service included roles as Human Resource Manager, Supervisor, and Administrative Specialist across active-duty, National Guard, and reserve components, where she led teams supporting over 3,000 service members during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Today, through SHD LLC, Dr. Reed continues her mission: helping small businesses grow boldly, lead strategically, and create lasting impact — with the kind of guidance that comes only from experience.