Carmen Best — Black In Blue

"In good times, in bad times, in peace and in war, women step up and keep families together. Ever since we won the right to do so, we stand up and lead our communities. We need more women leaders, in policing, in the public sector, and in government." 

Women when given opportunities and platforms to lead, they drive the change. They perform the most complex tasks as it is always there in their conscious mind that they have to prove. They have to prove that women are capable. Let us tell you that yes you need to prove yourself, not to others but to yourself. Because it'll make you confident and proud of yourself. Today we have a leader who is asking more women to opt for a career in policing.

Who Is Carmen Best?

Meet Carmen Best MSCJ, Director of Global Security Risk Operations at Microsoft. Expressing her admiration for Microsoft’s commitment to supporting and empowering diverse communities, she joined Microsoft last week. She is a board member at Axon Enterprise Inc

At Microsoft, she will be responsible for the global virtual security operations team, intelligence, executive threat intel, special asset security, event security, travel security, security risk operations, security program management office (PMO).

A Tacoma native, 57-year-old Carmen joined the Seattle Police Department in 1992. She rose through the ranks from a patrol officer in the East Precinct to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief. Finally, she became the first Black woman to serve as chief in 2018 and resigned in 2020.

Carmen has always been passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion. She believes that Women can be the CHANGE policing needs. Throughout her 28 years in the Seattle police force, she has been an advocate for creating a diverse workforce. She was a champion and leader of reforms, guiding the Seattle police department through times of uncertainty and crisis.

In her book 'Black In Blue: Lessons on Leadership, Breaking Barriers, and Racial Reconciliation, Carmen has shared her firsthand experiences of racism and sexism right from the very first day of her career. She has shared how minorities and women historically have struggled to succeed to a force more representative of the city’s diversity. 

Seattle’s first African American woman Chief of Police wants more girls and women to join policing if they wish to see a change. 

employHER admires your work and leadership. We congratulate you for starting this new journey and also for being honored to be the first woman of color to grace the cover of Seattle Business magazine.