Her Story
About Maeva
I serve as a program analyst for DC government with DPW, a position I've held since 2014. In this role, I work with communications for the agency, making sure that the public is aware of what we do and how we do it. One of my most significant ongoing projects has been the curation and updating of the SOPs for the department, making sure they reflect the changes we make yearly and that everyone is in the know and keeps updated. My typical day involves making sure our communications are updated and public-facing, managing different aspects of our fleet because we deal with a lot of the city fleets, and doing different communications for the department. I'm experienced in organizational development, project management, human resources, and information systems. I'm also a polyglot and speak a couple of languages. I earned my bachelor's in communications from University of Maryland University College in 2015, followed by my master's of science in interdisciplinary studies from the same institution in 2019. I also hold graduate-level certifications in human resources and office communications in Spanish. What I love about my job is that I'm able to do it well, and even though I've been in it for a while, because of the needs of the city always changing, I find that I'm still challenged within it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maeva
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my intentional living, knowing myself, and planning forward accordingly. I'm very intentional with each step that I take, so I'm always assessing who I am, where I am, and how to move forward. This deliberate approach to both my personal and professional life has been key to achieving my goals and maintaining steady progress in my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my anatomy and physiology teacher about a decade ago. He said, you might as well go to medical school, you're gonna spend those 12 years anyway. He was right - you're gonna live those years anyway, you might as well spend that time educating yourself. That advice really stuck with me and has influenced how I approach continuing education and professional development throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be to educate yourself. When you know what needs to be done without having it spelled out for you, you have a superpower. You already know what needs to be done when you land in the room. So educate yourself - that knowledge and preparation will set you apart and empower you to take initiative and lead effectively.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is always work-life balance, making sure that you're not just pouring out but you're also replenishing your cup. As a woman, you know, we can work on a lot of different fronts, and so if you're depleted, you will burn out quicker. The obstacle is always self-care and making sure you're able to work at your optimum. On the opportunity side, I find that even though I've been in my role for a while, because of the needs of the city always changing, I'm still challenged within it, which keeps the work engaging and meaningful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my personal life, family is most important, of course, and experiencing the world around me. In my work life, it's about doing a good job, making sure that everything I do has a mark of excellence to it and that it's done to its completion. I value thoroughness and quality in my professional work, while in my personal life I prioritize meaningful relationships and being present to experience life fully.
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