Pamela Walker oversees the department’s efforts regarding strategic planning; implementation of initiatives based on research and innovations in corrections; use of data to support program and operational decisions to enhance the department’s services. She serves as a commissioner for the NC Sentencing Policy and Advisory Commission.
Walker previously served as the director of Policy, Administrative Analysis and External Affairs for the Division of Adult Correction at the NC Department of Public Safety (DPS). She also served as communications director at DPS for 10 years. Prior to that, she was external affairs director at the former Department of Correction before consolidation.
Walker spent nearly 30 years in communications, media and public relations. She started her state service in 2000 as a public information officer at the former Department of Correction before being promoted to director of Public Affairs. She was one of the first 10 employees at the North Carolina Education Lottery and served as Corporate Communications director for four years. She returned to the Department of Correction in 2010 as the department's external affairs director prior to the consolidation that created the Department of Public Safety.
Before joining state government, Walker worked for 10 years in broadcasting in a variety of roles that included producer, reporter and backup anchor.
Walker holds a bachelor's degree in speech communication from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.