Influential Woman · US House Of Rep

Katonya Pettaway

Director of Operations, U.S. House of Representatives

Waldorf, MD

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree IT degree with concentration in Project Management Degree Project Management degree Cert IT with concentration in Project Management Cert Project Management Member North Carolina Society

Her Story

About Katonya

I've been working in the U.S. House of Representatives for 10 years now, ever since my congressman came in on a special election. My title is Director of Operations, and in my office, that means I wear a lot of hats. I'm in charge of some of the finances, I mentor our interns, and I handle the front office - everything that goes on through the front office comes through me. Before coming to D.C., I worked at a hospital in my small hometown in North Carolina for over 20 years. After getting a divorce and with my daughter moving off to college, I needed a change, so I made the move from being a little country girl to working in D.C., and it definitely was an adjustment. My daughter eventually transferred from her university and came up here too, and it has opened her eyes and gave her a new light on just difference. I just recently completed two degrees that were a long time coming - I got an IT degree with a concentration in project management in June, and a project management degree. I had been to several schools over the years, but I finally just made up my mind I was gonna do it and got it done.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Katonya

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say I have had a lot of people along the way that have looked out and brought me up, like have gave me great advice. I worked with a bunch of doctors, now I work with congressmen, and just lending a helping hand has been so important. Me not being afraid to ask if I need some help, or ask for advice, or listen to what they had to go through - that mentorship has been key. I'm not afraid to talk to them and learn from their experiences.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I don't know if it's so much that somebody gave me specific advice, but what I've learned and what I try my best to tell my interns when they come in is to have respect for everyone. If it's for the people that's pulling the trash, even right up to the congressman, I just think everybody deserves to have respect for one another. That's the principle I live by and share with others.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell young women to shoot for the stars. There's no such thing as a ceiling. I think they should - whatever you want to be, do it. I just don't think there's no limits. That's what I tell my daughter all the time. If it's something that you want to do, do it. Don't let anything hold you back.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I'm gonna say that in this field, you can never make everybody happy. It's gonna always be some ups and downs, and you just have to come with a positive attitude. I just had a situation where one of my old interns texted me and told me that I was on TikTok. I had a perfect stranger call in, record a conversation that we had, and put it on TikTok without me knowing. But I was pleased with how it turned out, so I win at the end - that's the way I feel about it. You have to stay positive even when people don't always have your best interests at heart.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I grew up in a two-parent home, and they really taught me the value of not trying to keep up with other people and the Joneses. They taught me the value of money and just being yourself - being your authentic self. That's what's most important to me, staying true to who I am and not comparing myself to others.

Keep Exploring