Her Story
About Nekya
Nekya Hall serves as the Legislative Advocacy and Research Manager for the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo), where she advocates on behalf of Illinois counties through legislative analysis, policy research, and government relations. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Conference of Women Legislators (COWL), leading the organization's strategic growth, member engagement, and statewide initiatives to support women in public service.
Nekya began her career in government affairs in 2019 as a communications intern for the Illinois House of Representatives. She later served as Associate Communications Director for State Representative Camille Lilly while completing her bachelor's degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, graduating in 2020.
A passionate advocate for leadership development and civic engagement, Nekya is a founding member of the Black Policy Impact Network and currently serves as Vice President. Throughout her career, she has focused on building meaningful partnerships, developing future leaders, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
Nekya believes that relationships are one of the greatest catalysts for success. Her advice to young women entering government and public policy is simple: "Networking is key. You can learn the skills along the way, but the relationships you build are what open doors to opportunity."
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nekya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God and my support system. Throughout my career, I've been blessed with mentors, colleagues, friends, and family who have believed in me, encouraged me, and challenged me to grow.
Since my time as an intern, I've intentionally built genuine relationships with people who wanted to see me succeed. Those connections have opened doors, provided guidance, and pushed me to become better than I ever thought I could be. They've reminded me that success is rarely achieved alone.
That's why I believe networking is about much more than exchanging business cards, it's about building authentic relationships. The people you surround yourself with can inspire you, advocate for you, and help you reach opportunities you may never have found on your own.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was to take care of myself and make space for myself because you can't pour from an empty cup.
Early in my career, I felt like I always had to be "on," taking on every opportunity, helping everyone I could, and constantly pushing toward the next goal. While that passion has opened many doors, I learned that burnout isn't a badge of honor.
Now I understand that taking time to rest, reset, and invest in myself isn't selfish. It's necessary. When I prioritize my own well being, I'm able to show up as a better leader, colleague, mentor, and advocate for others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Networking is the key to success. You can learn what you need along the way, but it's who you know that opens the doors to opportunities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is helping people understand the legislative process and encouraging meaningful civic engagement. Policy decisions affect every community, yet many people don't realize how much their voices matter or how they can be part of the process.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are faith, integrity, family, service, and relationships. My faith keeps me grounded, my son reminds me why I work hard, and integrity guides every decision I make. I believe in serving others, building meaningful relationships, and leaving every person and community better than I found them.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.