Nickey is a native of Benevolence and Cuthbert in Randolph County, Georgia. After high school graduation, she attended college at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. Ms. Knighton was in the Army ROTC program at Tuskegee and was commissioned as an officer in the Army immediately upon graduation from college in 1979. She served on active duty for twenty-nine-and-a-half years; her military assignments allowed her to serve across the United States and on four continents in various leadership roles. Upon leaving the military, Nickey served on the Executive Leadership Team of the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Public Schools System as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). She is a senior consultant, leadership coach, and strategic planner for federal, private, nonprofit, and public organizations focusing on leadership development, change management, and organizational culture.

Nickey holds an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from Tuskegee University, a Master’s in National Security Strategy from The National War College, and an Executive Master’s of Leadership from Georgetown University. She continues to serve through her memberships with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the U.S. Army Black Aviation Association, and Leave No Veteran Behind. In addition, Nickey is the founder of S.H.A.P.E. (Self-esteem, Harmony, Awareness, Pride and Education), a nonprofit uplift project that serves rural communities in southwest Georgia. She also founded WINNERS!, a People Investment Company providing volunteer consulting services to underserved communities.

In addition to her numerous honors, military awards, and decorations, Nickey received the General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Tuskegee Airmen Leadership Award, the Bessie Coleman Aviation Award, the United States Army Black Aviation Association Award, and the African American History Makers Award. She has been featured in numerous national and international publications, including being named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 Working Women.