Hanad Mohamed

Interim Executive Director of Corporate Services

Camden Council

Promoted from Director of Equalities & Community Strength while participating in the programme

Why did you sign up for Different?

Different leadership programme is both a culturally competent leadership programme designed by diverse and successful leaders, which I’d like to learn from. My ambition for the future is to reach my goals – first to become an Executive Director and then a Chief Executive, here in Camden. I started off my career as a graduate here in Camden and hope to be a role model for many diverse leaders who come after me, who can go on and break that glass ceiling, and excel in their career in local government.

What impact has Different made to you?

This has given me a sense of hope, and realisation that there are other diverse l leaders who are in my position, who have that rebellious spirit. This is an opportunity, not just for myself, but how I can help share my organisation to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves at work regardless of their background and cultural identity. This has helped me to become a more authentic leader who is compassionate, reflective, committed to learning, works with empathy and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. I am deeply ambitious, so want to excel in my own career, and create a culture where people feel safe, can speak up and are able to do their best work for the people of Camden.

What has been your experience of work as someone from the global majority?

I feel this work deeply, it isn’t just work for me, it’s about bringing social change. Like many from the global majority, there have been moments in my life where I have felt discrimination. I have felt unseen. I have felt like I don’t have a voice. I have felt powerless and felt that everyone seems to be making decisions about my life but me. This can have both an emotional and psychological impact on you, where you both lose hope and begin to doubt yourself.

What attracted you to working in local government/public sector to begin with?

I’ve been privileged to work in roles in local government that have provided me with experience across a range of areas and at a range of levels – ranging from political and chief of staff support to policy & equalities and cohesion. Throughout my career I’ve worked in senior environments, providing responsive insight and delivering to political and strategic priorities at pace. I am both a local resident and from a marginalised community, so, I can give a unique perspective and my own lived experience. Equity, diversity, inclusion and the power of lived experience will sit at the heart of my work, and local government embodies hope, opportunities and the desire to do more.