When Tangela Parker walks into a room, her presence speaks before she does. There’s a calm authority to her — the kind that comes not from title, but from time. Twenty-plus years shaping narratives, building teams, and championing equity in boardrooms across the healthcare industry have prepared her for this moment — one that merges purpose with power.
Planned Parenthood Southeast (PPSE) has officially named Parker as its new Senior Vice President of External Affairs, a move signaling not only a bold evolution in the organization’s external strategy, but a deepened commitment to advocacy, access, and representation across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
A Defining Appointment for a Defining Moment
This is not just another leadership transition.
This is a strategic shift.
As reproductive rights face unprecedented challenges across the South, PPSE’s decision to place Parker — a seasoned executive with both corporate acumen and community soul — at the helm of its external affairs is a declaration of intent. Her charge: to lead marketing, development, communications, advocacy, and community engagement for an organization that has become both a beacon and a battleground for women’s health.
“Mairo Akpose, CEO of PPSE, couldn’t have said it better: ‘Tangela’s deep expertise in marketing, development, and public affairs, combined with her proven ability to lead large-scale initiatives, makes her an exceptional choice to drive our external engagement and advocacy efforts.’”
In short, Parker isn’t just managing the message — she’s embodying the mission.
A Bridge Between the Boardroom and the Community
If Parker’s résumé reads like a masterclass in modern leadership, it’s because she’s lived every lesson in it.
Her executive journey through CVS Health, Centene, UnitedHealthcare, and Humana built her reputation as a results-driven strategist with a rare ability to connect complex systems with human stories. She’s launched award-winning campaigns, led cross-functional teams, and transformed how healthcare organizations engage the very people they serve.
But what makes Parker’s leadership different — and why her appointment matters — is her ability to blend corporate strategy with community empathy.
In her own words:
“As someone deeply committed to mentorship, equity, and opening doors for future leaders, I look forward to serving as the organization’s spokesperson and working with our incredible team, partners, and communities to strengthen our voice, expand our reach, and create meaningful pathways to care for those who need it most.”
That’s more than rhetoric. It’s a roadmap for reimagining how large institutions show up for people in need.
Roots, Reach, and Relevance
Parker’s roots run deep — not only through her alma mater, Alcorn State University, but through a lineage of leadership that honors both heritage and progress. Completing the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University was not a pivot toward prestige, but a preparation for purpose.
Her voice now carries national credibility, amplified through her role in the Forbes Communications Council and reinforced by one of the highest honors a citizen can receive: the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden in 2024.
Yet, despite the accolades, Parker’s north star remains service — particularly in advancing health equity across the Southeast, where access remains as much a socioeconomic issue as it is a medical one.
Reframing Power and Purpose in the South
Planned Parenthood Southeast’s mission has always extended beyond reproductive care. It’s about ensuring every individual — regardless of income, faith, race, gender identity, or immigration status — has the right to health, dignity, and information.
In Parker, that mission now has a megaphone.
Her leadership comes at a time when narratives about women’s healthcare are being contested in courtrooms and communities alike. The stakes are high — but so is the potential for impact.
With Parker guiding external affairs, PPSE is poised to reframe not just how it communicates, but how it connects — bridging advocacy with accessibility, and strategy with soul.
A Legacy in Motion
inCity Magazine has long celebrated visionaries who don’t just work in systems, but rewrite them. Tangela Parker represents that spirit — a woman architecting access in places where it’s most needed, and proving that legacy isn’t about longevity, but about lift.
Her journey serves as both inspiration and invitation — a call to action for leaders, especially women of color, to own their power in industries and institutions that have too often overlooked their perspective.
As she steps into her new role, one truth is clear: Tangela Parker isn’t just leading Planned Parenthood Southeast.
She’s redefining what leadership looks like for the South — and for the future.
About Planned Parenthood Southeast (PPSE):
Planned Parenthood Southeast believes in every individual’s right to access high-quality, non-judgmental healthcare and prevention-focused education. PPSE provides reproductive health services, education, and advocacy across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, ensuring access regardless of income, marital status, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, or immigration status.
inCity Magazine celebrates trailblazers like Tangela Parker — women who are not only shaping industries but shifting what’s possible.