Sophia Parker has devoted her career to serving others. Her keen understanding of people and how to best take care of them has been a key success factor in her outstanding career.  After a successful career in private sector government contracting, Sophia established DSFederal in 2007 as a boutique government contractor distinguished by its sharp focus on customer service. Since its inception, DSFederal has expanded, with over 160 employees in four states, a direct result of Sophia’s people-centric management style. 

 

Awards

In 2015, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized Sophia as its Maryland Small Business Person of the Year, honoring DSFederal’s substantial growth, innovative services, and philanthropic efforts. In March 2016, DSFederal was honored again by the SBA as a “Top Woman-Owned Small Business,” an award that commended the firm’s economic contributions to its community. The award-winning trend continued in 2017, with Sophia recognized as the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Leader of the Year. 2017 also marked DSFederal’s 10th anniversary, and its graduation from the SBA’s 8(a) Small Business Development Program.

Other notable recent awards include:

• 2020 – G2Xchange: Women in Leadership Award

• 2019 – Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame

• 2018 – Hua-guan Award: The World’s Top Chinese Businesswomen

• 2017 – Washington Business Journal: “Women Who Mean Business”
   

 

Philanthropy

Eager to serve those beyond the Beltway, in 2013, Sophia launched the IDEA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to empowering women and children worldwide through health services improvement, skill-building, and financial independence. The IDEA Foundation has benefited organizations around the world, including Soholat Health Services & Vocational Organization in Kabul, Afghanistan; the Amitofo Care Centre in Malawi, Jusoor, Doctors Without Borders; and most recently, Unidos Por Puerto Rico (a $10,000 contribution toward hurricane relief efforts). Like millions of other immigrants who have come to this country to seek a better life for themselves and their families, Sophia is a true believer in the American dream. A businesswoman and philanthropist, she is dedicated to helping others to realize their dreams through the success of DSFederal.