Michelle McAllister

I attribute my success to a strong foundation of values, discipline, and balance. I am most proud of being a mother of four, including three daughters, and of my ability to successfully balance the demands of a high-stress profession while protecting my family from its pressures. That balance has strengthened my resilience, sharpened my judgment, and reinforced my commitment to leading with integrity both professionally and personally. The guiding principle that shapes my work ethic—“Do better and be better”—was instilled in me by my father, who served in law enforcement, and continues to influence how I approach challenges, leadership, and accountability. I am an experienced Compliance and Risk Management professional with over 20 years of high-performance investigative and supervisory experience in regulated, high-accountability environments. I specialize in identifying risk, conducting complex investigations, ensuring policy alignment, and leading teams through sensitive, confidential, and time-critical matters. My proven track record includes managing high-risk cases involving fraud, misconduct, and policy violations; conducting audits, quality-control checks, and process reviews; translating complex findings into clear, concise reports for leadership; improving workflows and compliance procedures; and leading cross-functional teams during critical incidents while driving accountability, transparency, and operational excellence. My experience spans investigative leadership, compliance and risk management, trust & safety operations, and communications in high-stakes, regulated environments. I have led programs that strengthen governance, protect organizational integrity, and ensure fair, consistent policy enforcement. I bring disciplined judgment, operational rigor, and a solutions-focused mindset, and I am open to roles across Investigations, Compliance/AML, Trust & Safety, Risk, OSINT, Operations, and Communications or Program Leadership.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. It gave me the confidence to take leaps of faith, trust my expertise, and advocate for myself in male-dominated spaces. I was encouraged to trust my skills, speak with conviction, and not minimize my experience or expertise. That advice reinforced the importance of surrounding myself with strong, supportive people and seeking out a mentor I could rely on for guidance, perspective, and honest feedback. A particularly meaningful influence in my career has been a fellow female undercover detective and friend who has served as both a mentor and trusted confidant. Through this relationship, I have learned the value of mentorship built on mutual respect, transparency, and shared experience. Jenna’s mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping the most influential and formative five years of my career, particularly during my time conducting undercover operations. Her guidance, steady support, and trusted advice helped me persevere through the most complex and high-pressure investigations, strengthening both my confidence and decision-making. Alongside Jenna, mentors like my close friend Robyn consistently lifted me up at moments when I needed it most.

I strongly believe in the principle that “it takes a village.” This philosophy is something I rely on not only as a mother, but throughout my career. Surrounding myself with trusted people and establishing a strong support system before it is needed has been essential to my resilience, growth, and success.

Their mentorship has shaped my leadership style, reinforced the importance of sound judgment under pressure, and grounded me during challenging moments. I plan to continue expanding on these mentorship experiences as I reflect on their lasting impact on my professional growth and long-term career direction. Ultimately, this guidance has reinforced my belief that success is built not only on technical skill and experience, but on trust, support, confidence, and a willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone. It continues to influence how I lead, how I grow, and how I support and mentor others in their own professional journeys.

The advice I would give to young women entering this industry is to trust yourself and lead with confidence. Believe in your abilities, your training, and the value you bring—especially in male-dominated environments. Don’t hesitate to speak up, pursue challenging assignments, or step into leadership opportunities; your perspective and expertise are essential.

Equally important is building a strong support system. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and seek out mentors you can rely on for guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback. A trusted mentor can help you navigate challenges, strengthen your confidence, and grow both professionally and personally. Success in this field is never achieved alone, and cultivating a strong network will empower you to lead with resilience, integrity, and purpose.

One of the greatest challenges facing law enforcement today is mental health awareness—and support that goes beyond surface-level solutions. This issue is deeply personal to me, and it’s something I advocate for because I’ve seen firsthand how devastating the consequences can be when it’s ignored.

We often lean heavily on the word resilience in law enforcement. It’s everywhere—resiliency centers, trainings, wellness initiatives—and it’s presented as the answer to emotional well-being. But the more I reflect on that word, the more it frustrates me. By definition, resilience means the ability to recover quickly from difficulty.

Why are we teaching first responders to “bounce back” quickly instead of giving them permission to slow down, process their experiences, and actually heal?

We’ve built a culture where officers move from call to call carrying immense emotional weight, never afforded the time or space to address the trauma they absorb along the way. That isn’t wellness. It’s emotional suppression masquerading as strength.

True mental health support means creating environments where officers are allowed to feel, reflect, and heal—not just endure. If we want healthier officers and safer communities, we must move beyond resilience as a buzzword and start prioritizing meaningful, sustained mental health care.

The values that guide both my professional and personal life are integrity, accountability, intentional growth, and the power of strong relationships—values I strive to live out with purpose and intention, grounded in the principles God has taught us about humility, service, compassion, and perseverance. I approach every challenge with professionalism, sound judgment, and a solutions-focused mindset, committed to acting ethically, consistently, and with care for the people impacted by my decisions. These principles shape how I lead teams, conduct investigations, and uphold fairness in complex, high-stakes environments.

Equally important to me is the belief that the relationships we build—when nurtured intentionally and authentically—are not just beneficial to our careers, but can truly be life-saving. I believe deeply that God places people in our lives for a reason, and that surrounding yourself with trusted, supportive individuals before you need them is essential to resilience, safety, and long-term success.

In my personal life, I prioritize faith, family, balance, and well-being. I am in a long-term relationship with my best friend, Mike, who is also a police officer, and together we share a passion for mentorship, teaching, and supporting others. I cherish time with my family and invest intentionally in my physical and mental health through training, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and recently completing my first marathon. These disciplines reinforce focus, humility, and perseverance—qualities that mirror both my faith and my professional responsibilities.

Living by these values allows me to lead with purpose, remain grounded in moments of pressure, and continuously grow—professionally, personally, and spiritually—while supporting others with integrity, empathy, and intention.