MEET THE 2024 LEADERSHIP TRAILBLAZER FINALIST: Maria Kachadoorian
Today’s Trailblazer: Maria Kachadoorian
The League caught up with Trailblazer Finalist, Maria Kachadoorian, City Manager, Chula Vista, California to talk about being named a Leadership Trailblazer and having a career in public service:
Q: Congratulations on being named a finalist for the Leadership Trailblazer Award. What does it mean to you to be nominated?
As I come to the end of my career in city government, it is a great honor to be recognized by a group of women leaders. As women, we tend to hold ourselves to higher standards so being a finalist is just simply amazing!
Q: What led you to a career in public service?
After graduating from college at San Diego State University, I needed to find a job where I could stay locally. My educational background is in Finance and Accounting. I was very fortunate to be hired by the County of San Diego where I developed not only my accounting skills but also started my journey as a manager and professional leader. I stayed with the government because I understood the importance of providing services to the community as my family had received services when I was a child. I am very happy to have found a career where I could contribute and be fulfilled both professionally and personally.
Q: Who were your mentor(s) or advocate(s) in your career?
I have been very lucky to have amazing mentors in my career. One that stands out was my first boss when I started at the City of Chula Vista. Cheryl Fruchter was a badass trailblazer. She was the Assistant Director of Finance, was very supportive of me as I worked my way up in the organization. She had been working towards her lifelong goal of becoming the first female City Manager in the City of Chula Vista. Sadly, she passed away from breast cancer as the Assistant City Manager of the City shortly after I was promoted to the Director of Finance. I always appreciated her support and honest feedback as I grew professionally. She was also very understanding of the challenges we face as women in trying to find a work-life balance when you are not only a leader in local government but the Girl Scout cookie mom. Both very important.
Q: What is the most important lesson you learned while coming up in your career?
Find a seat at the table and take it. Don’t wait for someone to pull out the chair for you. Stay focused on growing professionally and show your value by contributing to the team. Learn how to focus on the goal and not get distracted by all the noise.
Q: What advice do you have for women just beginning their careers who would like to be an executive in local government someday?
Do the work and take on the challenges. You will find it difficult but will grow in the process. Also, there may come a time when you may not get the promotion you have been working towards. In the works of a great poet/songwriter “shake if off-shake it off”! Keep preparing for the next opportunity or make the decision to move on and seek a new opportunity in another organization.
Q: What do you hope to leave as your legacy in local government when your career comes to an end?
The obvious legacy I leave behind is that I am the first female and first Latina City Manager in the City of Chula Vista. I have so many projects and accomplishments that I am proud of throughout my career. I have worked with many highly qualified women who did not have the same opportunities. I thank them for setting the stage for me. I hope that my legacy is that I have continued to support future women leaders in local government. I have built a solid team which include the most qualified people I have ever worked with in my career. I will be leaving the City in good hands with nicely polished nails at that.
