Dr. Kimberly O'Connor currently serves as the Director for the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. O'Connor previously served a nearly eleven-year appointment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). At DHS, she served in key leadership positions to include: the DHS Executive Secretary, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Senior Advisor to the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Chief of Staff of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement. Dr. O'Connor was awarded the DHS Distinguished Service Medal in 2017 and again in 2023.

Prior to her role at DHS, Dr. O'Connor served as the Director for the Division for Substance Abuse Policy for the State of Arizona. She was responsible for statewide policy initiatives as well as grant administration surrounding substance use prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts. Her career history also includes working at the Arizona Department of Corrections, the Arizona Supreme Court, and the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Dr. O'Connor graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors' degree in Psychology. She later graduated from University of Phoenix with a Masters in Counseling and a Doctorate in Management.