Miesha Garnett

I think it comes down to being intentional and refusing to stay in one lane. In my housing career I've always been willing to take on more than my job description, learning federal compliance, grant administration, program management, even when it wasn't required of me. That curiosity and willingness to go deeper than what's expected has opened doors consistently. And outside of my nine to five I founded Mie Way Travel, a travel and lifestyle brand for women, which has taught me just as much about leadership, strategy, and showing up for a community as my government work has. I think when you're building something on both sides of your life, it sharpens you in ways that one path alone can't.

Some of the best career advice I've received is to document everything and know your numbers. In federal grant administration especially, your credibility lives in your records. But honestly that advice applies everywhere; you can't advocate for your work, your program, or yourself if you can't back it up with data. Someone told me early on that the people who advance are the ones who make themselves indispensable through knowledge, not just effort. I've carried that with me at every level. And the other piece I'd add, pursue what you're actually passionate about. When your work is aligned with your values it doesn't feel like a grind the same way. I've seen people climb ladders and get to the top completely unfulfilled because they were chasing titles or stability instead of meaning. Know your numbers, but also know yourself.

Learn the money. Whether you're in government, housing, nonprofit, whatever, follow the funding and understand how it works. In my field that means federal grants, HUD compliance, budget management. Young women especially are often steered toward the relationship and service side of the work, which matters, but the people making decisions are the ones who understand where the money comes from and how it moves. Get comfortable with that side of the work early and you will always have a seat at the table. And set boundaries, real ones, early ones. The need in this field is enormous and the work is heavy. Affordable housing, community development, the people we serve, it's meaningful but it can also be relentless and exhausting if you let it be. You cannot be your best, you cannot give your best, if you're pouring from an empty cup. Burnout in public service is real and it's common and it is not a badge of honor. Protect your energy the same way you protect your community's resources, intentionally and strategically. And don't wait for permission to build something of your own on the side. I started Mie Way Travel while working full time in local government. You don't have to choose

The biggest challenge is the funding landscape . Federal community development dollars are under increasing scrutiny and local governments are being asked to do more with less while compliance requirements stay just as demanding. That's a real pressure point for programs like the ones I administer. But I also see it as an opportunity; communities that have strong administrators who understand both the technical compliance side and the human impact side of this work are going to be the ones that protect their programs and their residents. The opportunity is in being that person. On a broader level, affordable housing is one of the defining issues of our time in California, and being in this work right now feels meaningful even when it's hard.

Intentionality and integrity. I don't do anything halfway, whether that's managing a federal grant program, building a travel brand, or showing up for the people in my life. I think integrity means doing the right thing even when it's inconvenient, and in government work that's tested regularly. And intentionality means being deliberate about where I put my energy. I've learned that saying yes to everything is actually a way of saying no to the things that matter most. Those two values show up the same way at work and at home for me.