Dr. Venecia C. Bessellieu, of Temple Hills, MD, was elected in August 2021 as a member of the Imperial Court Daughters, an Auxiliary to the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions, Inc. In 2023, Dr. Bessellieu was elected to the office of Imperial High Priestess. She is part of the 12-member elected governing body (Divan) that presides over this fraternal organization.

Organizations

• Mecca Court No. 2, – Past Illustrious Commandress (2006)
• Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of DC – Past Grand Worthy Matron (2015-2016)
• Julia A. Jackson Grand Court, Jurisdiction of DC - Past Most Ancient Grand (2017-2018)
• Dorcas Grand Court, Jurisdiction of DC – Past Royal Grand Perfect Matron (2019-2021)
• Marie I. Smith Grand Court, Jurisdiction of DC – Past Grand Princess Commandress (2010-2011)
• Matthew Ellis Jr. State Grand Assembly, Orient of DC – Past State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler (2017-2018)
• Bertha M. Bragg Prelate Court #6, Jurisdiction of DC – Past Regal Prioress (2022-2023)
• Venecia C. Bessellieu Research and Education Chapter, District of Columbia – Charter Member/Treasurer
• Forest Temple No. 9, IBPOEW - Past Daughter Ruler (1997)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Diamond Life Member)
• National Council of Negro Women (Legacy Life Member)
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (Silver Life Member)
• National Congress of Black Women (Life Member)
• National Association of Networking (NAN)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• International Council of Systems Engineers (INCOSE)
• Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)

Education/Military Service

• Ph.D., Systems Engineering - George Washington University
• M.S., Engineering Management-National Louise University
• B.S., Computer Science Engineering - University Of Pittsburgh
• United States Air Force (Veteran)

Professional

• Dr. Bessellieu is a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems Engineering Manager in support of the United States Department of Defense and National Intelligence Agencies.