An academic professional and public speaker, Dr. Sonya Whitaker focuses primarily on the administrative aspects of education. She holds a bachelor of arts from Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in education, and later received the Type 75 Administrative Certificate along with a master of education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Subsequently, Dr. Sonya Whitaker gained admission into Northern Illinois University. There, she completed the educational specialist degree program (receiving the Type 75 Superintendent Certificate) concurrently with the doctor of education program.

Sonya Whitaker's career in academia began at the Albert Einstein School in Hanover Park, where she served as assistant principal. She later accepted leadership roles at the Herbert Hoover School and the Schaumburg School District. Currently she holds the position of superintendent at the Fairmont School District in Lockport, Illinois, overseeing policy formation and fiscal health. Under her leadership, the district has improved its credit score and financial rating.

Dr. Whitaker's career achievements have earned her admission into the Superintendent's Certification Program, sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). She is also regularly invited to share her expertise at industry forums that focus on student learning.