Roda Husein joined CCHA in 2022, working with our frontline staff as a Property Customer Service Coordinator. Three years on, she has changed roles, and completed a Pathway to Board programme, gaining new confidence along the way. Roda talked about her career goals, and what she’s learnt about herself over the last few years:
“I’ve been working at CCHA for three years, and love that every day in housing brings a new challenge. Working at CCHA in particular has brought so many new challenges and opportunities my way.
“One of those opportunities was the Aspiring Leaders programme that the organisation launched in 2024. I was encouraged to apply, and I was ready for that push to expand my knowledge and development opportunities. The course leader, Emma, helped me recognise areas where I could develop, and the mentorship I received gave me the extra boost of confidence I needed to apply for new roles.
“After a few years in customer service, and boosted by the Aspiring Leaders course, I was ready for something new, something that would challenge me in a different way. Luckily, a position opened up in the communities team in July 2024. I applied, and I was thrilled when I got the job. Every day since has been exciting. I really look forward to my days at work, not knowing who I’ll meet or what new ideas I’ll get to explore. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a supportive manager and team. They listen to my ideas and are always willing to help me test them out.
“Then came the Pathway to Board programme, which is lead by CCHA along with other housing associations in South Wales, as a way to increase the representation of black and minority ethnic people on Boards in Wales. It was Afshan Iqbal, the programme leader, and Liz Evans, my former mentor, along with other colleagues, who really encouraged me to apply. I was a little intimidated by the prospect, but I knew it was an amazing opportunity.
“I was assigned a mentor through the programme, Sarah Cole from the Welsh Government, and she was fantastic. She really guided me, helped me understand the different aspects of governance, and pointed me in the right direction. I even got to shadow board meetings at Pobl, which was incredibly insightful. The board members were so welcoming and always happy to answer my questions.
“The programme gave me a completely different perspective on how Housing Associations are managed. I learned that there’s no such thing as a ‘wrong’ question, which was a huge confidence boost. The course ran from April to December 2024, and by the end, I felt more confident, and ready to take the next step.
“Now, I’m actively looking for the right board to join, which aligns with my skill set and what I have to offer. I want to use my skills and experiences to make a real difference. I want to focus on encouraging other young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to explore opportunities within the housing sector. I’m eager to work with the jobs team to organise career talks and job fairs, to bridge the gap between young people and organisations.
“The Pathway to Board programme gave me so much more than just knowledge. It gave me the confidence to speak up, to ask questions, and to pursue my ambitions. I want to show other people who look like me that it’s possible. If I can do it, they can do it too. I want to bring representation to boards and open doors for others. That’s my goal.”
Find out more about the Pathway to Board programme here.