Her Story
About Kadijah
Kadijah Welch serves as a Management and Program Analyst for the Army Installation Management Command at Fort Bliss, Texas. In this role since late 2024, she supports plans, analysis, integration, business development, economic development, intergovernmental affairs, and federal contracts, focusing on strategic operations and organizational performance for the installation. With 13 years of experience in public administration and government operations, Welch previously worked as a portfolio manager for Tegua Nations in El Paso, Texas, where she managed business development, capture management, and the full lifecycle of Department of Homeland Security contracts for ports of entry. Prior to that, she served 10 and a half years in the United States Army as a logistician, master fitness trainer, SHARP representative, and equal opportunity advisor. Welch earned an associate's degree and bachelor's degree while on active duty, followed by a Master's in Business Administration with a project management concentration from American Military University. She is PMP certified, a Certified Scrum Master, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She also serves as a part-time professor of business at American Military University. Welch attributes her success to her drive to serve others, her willingness to learn in challenging environments, and her desire to model success for her children. She has received recognition including a coin from the Lieutenant General for her contributions to the Installation Management Command.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kadijah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to a combination of factors. At a very young age in 6th grade my mother passed away and my dad raised me and my siblings as a single father. I never really saw what a successful African-American woman looked like. Once I began to have children I said I want my daughter to know what it looks like to be a successful woman. I've always been someone that was willing to learn quickly and stepping into challenging environments. I knew at 17 I was going to join the United States Army because I wanted to do something that was way bigger than me and serve people.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say the biggest piece of advice I would give would be to own the seat at the table. Don't feel like you have to prove yourself over and over, and your voice does carry weight. Value and work hard and understand the spaces where you need to speak confidently. Competency is what's going to build credibility. Don't gatekeep. Don't keep other people from progressing. The best leaders are the ones who build each other up and share their knowledge.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say number one would be integrity. Doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Accountability is also something that I value. If something doesn't go right taking accountability as a leader and learning from it. Growth. A lot of times people get complacent and just because it's always how we've done things doesn't mean it's always how you have to keep doing them.
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