Her Story
About Khadija
Khadija Diallo serves as an administrative fair hearings representative working with the administrative judge in New York State. Her career in public administration spans 14 years, beginning with case management at Sick Children in Need where she assisted families with Medicaid, food stamps, and housing. She then spent seven years at ACS investigating child abuse, petitioning courts, and connecting families to resources such as domestic violence support and housing. Diallo continued her work for another seven years at the Human Resources Administration, helping families including those recently released from incarceration to achieve greater independence through court reports and family services. She holds a Master's in Business Administration and began her studies as a health science major at Stony Brook. Beyond her professional duties, Diallo contributes to environmental planning and community assistance by volunteering with New York City parks on planting initiatives and tree conservation in Briarwood, as well as at the Briarwood Library. She has received recognition for 15 years of service and exceptional service with the city.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Khadija
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to helping the community in some kind of way and helping my community be more beautiful and help people thrive. Giving back is the best way to uplift your community, to uplift yourself, to help others because future generations can look back and say she helped my parent obtain this housing or she planted this tree here and this park space is beautiful now.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is when you don't give up and just keep trying until you get it and don't let anyone deter you to stop your goals and your dreams. Try everything you only live once. There's going to be a lot of people out there that are not going to believe in you but don't let that deter what you want to do.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up, network, keep on pressing to get a higher education don't stop at just bachelors keep going. Don't let anybody deter you. When you get criticisms and negative feedback just look at it as a way to improve and not everything will be true that they say and you still have to keep pushing through no matter what.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Women are still devalued even with higher education. There's a lot of nepotism. Women sabotaging other women. Age discrimination. People have said inappropriate things about age. We women have to be a certain way in order to get higher positions.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I really respect integrity honesty and just people that have an overall good work ethic. Just to try hard and do what you have to do. If you don't understand something there's ways to learn now there's so many ways to learn and that's the amazing part of it. You shouldn't be scared to speak up and say if you need help.
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