Her Story
About Kalaina
My career journey has been unique and meaningful. I started working with mentally challenged men and women as a group home manager before entering law enforcement. I served with the New Orleans Police Department and participated in search and rescue operations during Hurricane Katrina. From there, I transitioned to federal law enforcement, where I've been for nearly 19 years. My main area of expertise is advocating for women in male-dominant environments. I served as the Women's Fair Practice Coordinator while in my role as executive vice president over the union, and that is where my passion lies. In my day-to-day work, I focus on people with mental illness, helping them live day by day, second by second, knowing that someone cares for them and that they can get through whatever past trauma or medical and mental issues they have through spiritual and medical healing. I also work alongside women colleagues who have children, who are trying to raise families, trying to be mothers and wives while working in a male-dominant profession. What inspired me to get into law enforcement was my community - growing up in an underprivileged community and seeing things the way they are. I've always believed that if you want change, you need to be a part of that change and go out and do it. My willingness to help others drives me, because in this industry, people don't understand that you can help someone before you make a life decision to take away someone's freedom.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kalaina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the women who came before me. I'm standing on the shoulders of women who have paved the way for me to get into leadership in my current role. Specifically, I'm standing on the back of Sharon Nash right now - she's retired, but she paved the way for me to be in a leadership role. Along with my associate warden Leroy Pitts and my female warden Sharon Nash, these mentors guided me and made it possible for me to achieve what I have.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was three words in my male-dominant agency: have tough skin. I didn't know what it meant when they told me that, but now I do. Have tough skin. It's going to take everything. That was the best advice, really - to have tough skin in this environment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to always put your best self forward. You never know who's watching you, so even when it seems like it's rough, always put your best self forward - not just your foot, but your best self. Present yourself as if you're being interviewed every day. Love what you do. Never ever take a job or accept an offer because of money, because money is not going to provide the mental capacity for you to survive in this male-dominant industry. So always put your best self forward in every duty you execute, everything you do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the elephant in the room. I work in a federal law enforcement environment, and my biggest challenge is that you're competing against men - men where some men don't believe women belong in this type of environment. That's our biggest challenge as women - working in a male-dominated industry with outdated barriers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value integrity, confidentiality, and empathy. When someone comes and tells you their personal issues - because I deal with a lot of women that have personal issues - confidentiality is crucial. My core values are integrity, confidentiality, empathy, and to reach one, teach one, and motivate one. These values guide everything I do in my work and personal life.
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