We were lucky to catch up with Sadaf Haq recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sadaf, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

While working in corporate America fresh after completing my masters program, there was a lot of adjusting to the high-paced work environment. My experience was more in the public sector so this was a change. I was also newly married and eventually became pregnant. I mention all this to say my boss was so supportive and empowering and at that time back in 2004, she offered me to change my position to be remote with occasional traveling. This was a rarity in the workforce back then. She also allowed me an opportunity to travel overseas for a medical relief project for 5 weeks. These are just a few examples but if it wasn’t for her leadership, I wouldn’t have professionally grown the way that I did. She passed last year and I was so incredibly sad. I wish I had the opportunity to tell her what she meant to me and how she trained myself and others to follow in her leadership footsteps.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

Having been in the field of public health, you get to learn how diversified it is and what all can be accomplished. Of course, the pandemic highlighted many gaps and weakness in the field, My eyes were opened to one specifically- health inequity amongst the underserved. I took a deeper dive and researched how children and students learning is affected when they do not have adequate health care access. That’s when I founded – Be In Health Foundation- aimed to provide dignified and sustainable health care access. Our pilot program is currently Frisco ISD. The organization launched in March. 2022.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Creating a non-profit is not an easy task. Having to learn the ABCs was very challenging. There were times I did want to give up but I kept focusing on the big picture- to help those less fortunate. That factor kept pushing me.

And once in the non-profit world, it’s been challenging just navigating the organization itself. But I am embracing the mistakes and the growth along the way!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely not! It’s a profession where you can always continue adding to your skill sets and diversify your reach within the field of Public Health.

The satisfaction you receive in being able to be a part of the greater good is priceless.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beinhealthfoundation.org
• Instagram: Beinhealthfoundation
• Facebook: Sadaf Haq
• Linkedin: sadaf (kazi) haq
• Twitter: @friscosadaf

Image Credits
Suad@suad.com- Suad Beijtovic Photography