Mercedes Reese
Mercedes Reese has built a distinguished career as an investigator, bringing over 15 years of experience in background checks, due diligence, and skip tracing to every role she takes on. She began her career in escrow, mortgage, and real estate, performing due diligence on loan applications and quickly discovering a natural talent for uncovering information, making connections, and asking the right questions. Her passion for investigative work led her to join an investigations company, where she honed her skills across multiple niches and developed a reputation for meticulous research, accuracy, and integrity.
Mercedes went on to co-own Clear Image Investigations, where she managed investigative operations, executed surveillance and research, and streamlined case management processes. She has also contributed to high-impact initiatives such as monitoring human trafficking alongside the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, demonstrating her commitment to using her skills for meaningful social impact. More recently, she has focused on government contracts, conducting background investigations for various clearance levels and analyzing data for defense-related projects with firms like Information Discovery Services and Gravitas Investigations.
Educationally, Mercedes pursued studies in psychology at Santiago Canyon College and earned a certificate in Private Investigations from California State University, Fullerton, alongside additional certifications in investigative techniques and neuro-linguistics. Her career philosophy emphasizes continuous learning, clear communication, and building authentic relationships while maintaining rigorous standards of verification. Beyond her professional achievements, she has also shared her expertise with communities, speaking on topics such as human trafficking awareness, personal safety, and investigative best practices, underscoring her dedication to both her craft and the people it serves.
• Private Investigator
• California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) Member
• Santiago Canyon College- A.A.
• California State University, Fullerton
• California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI)
• Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
What do you attribute your success to?
I grew up watching both sets of parents be hard workers, and I think my foundation comes from tenacity to work hard and make a difference. I really value growth and having meaningful connections that are authentic with people. Whether it's commenting on someone's smile, their eyes, their necklace, or whatever it is, we all have the ability to create change, and obviously, first and foremost, it starts with ourselves. I've done a lot of hard work with myself, and I want to see other people experience the same thing that I have, which is that with hard work, you can have growth and success. Success doesn't always have to look like what society says, you know, the degree, the car, the house, all those things.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The things that you want to do in your free time are the things that you should be doing in your career. My background, basically, is in research, not professionally, but personally. I have just always had this knack to go searching, and so that is what has led me to be a great investigator. Someone said that what you like to do personally is something that you should integrate into your professional life, and it stuck with me, and those are the things that are life-giving when I'm working.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take the time to learn as much as you can, gain as many skill sets as you can, and really hone your niche and know who you are. It's important to understand that as a woman, we go into a career in investigations or the legal field and think we're going to be able to have the same stamina across the board at 40 that we did when we were 20, and that's just not realistic. You know, professionally, being a woman, women are very keen on discernment and communication, and I think sometimes that gets overlooked. It's important to have someone come alongside you and recognize what you've accomplished.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The balance of family and career has been an ongoing challenge. I took a long, three and a half year break after my twins were born, and to be honest, it was more challenging being home than it was working. But it is an ever-changing balance that evolves with the seasons of life. The older you get, you think it's going to get easier, but then comes aging parents. It's an ever-changing ebb and flow of figuring out where that balance is. The kids need more of my time right now, how can I integrate that? The work needs more of my time right now, how can I integrate that? Really being and learning how to be introspective and being sensitive to the people around you is very important. When you're by yourself, it's just you dedicating 60 hours to a job, and that's great, but then as seasons change, you change.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Purpose, continued learning, integrity, communication, and building relationships and bringing people together are the values most important to me. I have a sign right by my door as I exit my bedroom that basically says, what can I conquer today? Growing and having meaningful connections that are authentic with people are really important to me. You can leave the grocery store with the same conversation as everybody else, or you can take the time to have some kind of impact, and that's really what I feel like my purpose is. I pride myself on being reliable and detail-oriented and proactive, and I really value having an ownership mentality and helping organizations grow their capacity while keeping that same level of integrity and quality of work.