Raquel Riley Thomas
The visionary founder behind An Officer and GentleWoman, LLC (AOAGWLLC), a distinguished global media and entertainment company delivering white-glove service.
With over 30 years of media expertise, Raquel has made an indelible mark in the Corporate, Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle, Celebrity, and Music Industry.
Notable Mentions
-
After losing her mother to suicide in 2013, Raquel learned her mother was a survivor of assault—echoing her own experience. She turned that pain into purpose by founding DefendRILEY, empowering women and girls through self-defense and personal safety education. A Taekwondo red belt, Raquel mentors young students, building confidence, focus, and resilience.
-
1990: Graduated from Defense Information School of Technology and became a photojournalist for the U.S. Army.
1998: Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Hampton University.
1995: Graduated from Officer’s Leadership Course
1998: Earned her degree in Psychology from Hampton University
2019: Earned certification from Harvard Business School in Mastery of Negotiations
2025: Advanced Level Martial Artist- Taekwondo (Red belt with Black Stri
-
Raquel’s leadership has earned recognition across both military and civilian spheres, reflecting a career defined by service, innovation, and influence. Her legacy is preserved in the Library of Congress and honored by global publications, national institutions, and military commendations alike.
“We don’t sell hype. We protect power.”
Raquel Riley Thomas
