A Woman of Many Firsts: Ambassador Maulidah Hassan’s Lessons for Leadership
Written by Nageen Qasim
Despite substantial evidence that countries with high female representation in government reap more societal benefits, including the mitigation of legal inequality, women continue to face barriers to leadership. These challenges are often faced at both the individual and institutional level as deep-seated biases prevent them from achieving their full professional potential. According to a UN Women report, there are only 27 countries (out of 195) where women serve as Heads of State and/or Government as of July 2025.
Notably in Africa, there are currently only two Heads of State who are female: President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia. These women are also the first to hold these offices in their respective nations. They represent 3.7% of Presidents on the continent compared to the global average of 13%. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years.
In the face of such sobering statistics, Ambassador Maulidah’s journey is a testament to her courage and resilience in a patriarchal society that is still grappling with the notion of a woman’s ability to lead effectively. The Ambassador is an experienced diplomat who previously served as the Vice President’s speechwriter and acting private secretary and now acts as the current Personal Assistant for Diplomatic Affairs to President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Her repertoire of work spans managing foreign missions, high-level negotiations, and advising the presidency on global affairs.
Her journey to the President’s office, however, was not without its challenges. In a recent talk organised by the King’s Entrepreneurship Lab, the Ambassador spoke about how her appointment as the President’s “right-hand woman” was a pivotal moment in her career and marked a shift in regional politics. The idea of twowomen occupying the highest level of government in Tanzania, one of whom belonged to a religious minority, was previously unheard of given the male-dominated and homogenous nature of the country’s political landscape.
It is for these reasons that Ambassador Hassan’s journey is even more striking. During the talk, she spoke about how she was often held to a higher standard than her male counterparts and had to constantly prove herself, even considering her accomplishments and exceptional record of civil service. Her experience is emblematic of a widespread mindset that undermines women because they do not fit the ‘traditional’ mould of what a leader should look like.
In addition to navigating a politically tense environment, Ambassador Hassan also had to push back against socio-cultural norms that still struggle to see women in positions of power whilst acting as a role model for the 33 million or so women living in Tanzania who are eager to see themselves represented in key decision-making roles in the country.
One of the most inspiring themes to emerge from the discussion was the Ambassador’s reflection on ethical leadership. In a political landscape often driven by self-interest and personal gain, Ambassador Hassan’s commitment to leading with integrity and purpose is a powerful reminder that true leadership is not defined by one's title, but by one's commitment to uplift others — to leave institutions and communities better than they were found. This ethos is particularly vital in emerging democracies where trust in public institutions is fragile. Her insistence that leadership “cannot just be taught” resonated deeply. It echoed a call for introspection among aspiring leaders that empathy, discipline, and the ability to navigate complex moral situations with courage are not skills easily learned in classrooms but cultivated through lived experience and deep personal reflection.
One of Ambassador Hassan’sproudest accomplishments is to support the education of pregnant students and adolescent mothers in Tanzania who were previously not allowed to resume schooling after giving birth. This discriminatory policy affected thousands of young schoolgirls each year who are now able to access education and take charge of their own economic destinies. With 27.4% of female headed households in poverty in Tanzania, this policy is fundamental to supporting women's economic empowerment and Tanzania’s economic development.
Even as her professional accomplishments offer a model of strategic female leadership; Ambassador Hassan’s policy contributions illustrate how more women in leadership, and more diverse perspectives, have a direct bearing on advancing economic development and empowerment.
Across the African continent and beyond, women continue to face structural and cultural barriers to ascending leadership ranks. These include not only discriminatory hiring and promotion practices but also the often invisible emotional labour and social scrutiny that women leaders must endure. Ambassador Hassan’s remarks underscored how the weight of representation — being “the first” or “the only” — brings both visibility and vulnerability. The path to gender parity in leadership demands more than individual excellence; it requires intentional policy reform, inclusive political institutions, and male allies who are willing to challenge the status quo.
Nageen Qasim is an EMBA candidate at Judge Business School and serves as EDI Rep for her cohort. She is the Lead Strategic Project Manager at Leaflink, a cutting-edge payments fintech headquartered in NYC, where she manages the development of new financial products and oversees the company’s multi-million-dollar M&A portfolio. She is an experienced program manager with over 10 years of experience in leading key strategic initiatives across capital markets and in the fintech space. She is passionate about inclusive leadership and an advocate for gender parity in the workplace. Her areas of interest lie in building sustainable and adaptable financial products and digital transformation.