Ms. Parnell leads the GDIT small business office to include compliance oversight, outreach and Mentor-Protégé programs. For 23 years, Ms. Parnell has led the development of long-term teaming relationships between small businesses and General Dynamics, in a variety of technical and customer-focused areas that support GDIT growth initiatives. A consummate advocate for effective small business participation, she has promoted a business development and "Total Company Approach" to small business outreach. Ms. Parnell was awarded the AFCEA International Small Business Advocate of the Year in 2019. Under her leadership, the company has received recognition for its efforts with small businesses, from such organizations as the NVSBC, National Industries for the Blind, U.S. Veterans Magazine, Professional Woman's Magazine and Government Technology & Services Coalition.

Ms. Parnell has served as Chair of the General Dynamics Small Business Committee. She is a life member of AFCEA and past co-chair of the AFCEA International Small Business Committee. She earned a bachelor's degree in Life Sciences (Molecular Microbiology) from Queen's University (Kingston, ON) and a master's degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary's University (Halifax, NS). She is a former forensic scientist and member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and served as a Senior Commissioned Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy Naval Reserve.