Women’s day exclusive interview with Asiyath Mohamed
Breaking Barriers: A Conversation with Asiyath Mohamed on Leadership, Resilience, and Empowering Women
Introduction
In a world where leadership roles are still often dominated by men, Asiyath Mohamed, the Head of Employee Experience at Bank of Maldives, is breaking the mold. A native of Fuvahmulah, Asiyath’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and a commitment to creating workplaces where people can thrive.
A Strong Foundation in Family and Values
Asiyath’s upbringing played a significant role in shaping her career. Growing up in a large family, she learned the value of hard work early on. Her mother, a pillar of strength, taught her the importance of education and financial independence. “My mother always emphasized the importance of education and financial independence, which played a massive role in shaping my values,” she shares. These lessons have served her well throughout her life, especially in a career that demands both perseverance and resilience.
Creating Positive Workplaces
Today, Asiyath is focused on creating a positive work culture as the Head of Employee Experience at Bank of Maldives. “I am ensuring that our employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to deliver their best work,” she says. But what many people may not know is that her approach to employee experience goes beyond just traditional HR practices. “I focus on fostering professional growth and enhancing the overall employee journey,” she explains, making sure that the workplace isn’t just a place of productivity but one where people feel truly supported.
Her dedication to this cause has earned her a reputation for being disciplined and passionate about people-centric workplaces. She’s also become a staunch advocate for workplace flexibility and sustainable HR practices.
The Journey to Employee Experience
Asiyath didn’t always set out to build a career in HR. “When I first joined HR, I was just looking for a job, not a career,” she admits. But it didn’t take long for her to realize that a company’s success depends on how supported and motivated its employees are. This realization became the driving force behind her career, and the desire to make a meaningful impact in the workplace eventually led her to specialize in employee experience and organizational development.
“I was inspired by the opportunity to challenge traditional workplace norms and drive positive change,” she explains, showing how her personal motivations align with the greater goal of creating workplaces that work for everyone.
Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges
Like many successful leaders, Asiyath faced her share of challenges. Early in her career, self-doubt held her back from seizing opportunities that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “I struggled with self-doubt and hesitated to take on opportunities that challenged me,” she reflects. But overcoming these internal barriers was just the beginning. Externally, she had to confront resistance to change and shift people’s mindsets—no easy feat in any organization.
Her path to overcoming these challenges was one of personal growth. She built confidence, stepped out of her comfort zone, and, with the help of a mentor, learned to recognize her own worth. “I was lucky to have a very good mentor,” she says, mentioning Shely, who played a crucial role in helping her become the person she is today. “I invested in personal development, and gradually took on roles that challenged me to grow.”
A Call for Women to Believe in Themselves
Asiyath’s journey is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when we challenge ourselves, embrace growth, and support one another. For young women striving to make a difference, Asiyath has one key piece of advice: “Believe in yourself and your unique abilities. Don’t let self-doubt or societal expectations hold you back. Seek out mentors, build a strong support system, and never stop learning.”
Her message is clear—self-belief is the foundation of success, and with the right support and mindset, anything is possible.
Conclusion
Asiyath Mohamed’s story is not just one of career success but also of the quiet strength that comes from resilience, mentorship, and a deep commitment to fostering positive change—whether that’s in the workplace or beyond.
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Full Interview
1- Whats your name?
Asiyath Mohamed
2- Which island are you from?
Fuvahmulah
3- What was your upbringing like?
I grew up in a large family where hard work was highly valued. My mother always emphasized the importance of education and financial independence, which played a massive role in shaping my values. I learned resilience and perseverence from my mother. My upbringing taught me to stay resilient, embrace challenges, and always strive to make a positive impact.
4- What do you do and what do most people know you for?
In my current role, Head of Employee Experience at Bank of Maldives, I am ensuring that our employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to deliver their best work. I focus on creating a positive workplace culture, fostering professional growth, and enhancing the overall employee journey.
I hope people know me for my discipline and dedication to building positive and people-centric workplaces, as well as my advocacy for workplace flexibility, and sustainable HR Practices.
5- What inspired you to pursue your current path or career?
Initially when I joined HR, I was only looking for a job, not a career. Working with some amazing people I realized that organizations succeed when their employees feel supported and motivated. This realization, combined with my desire to make a meaningful impact, led me to pursue a career in employee experience and organizational development. I’m also inspired by the opportunity to challenge traditional workplace norms and drive positive change.
6- What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenges I faced was overcoming my own personal barriers. Early in my career, I struggled with self-doubt and hesitated to take on opportunities that pushed me beyond what felt safe. I also faced external challenges, like shifting people’s mindsets and overcoming resistance to changes.
To overcome these challenges, I had to first work on myself, building confidence, stepping out of my comfort zone, and recognizing my own worth. I was lucky to have a very good mentor, I invested in personal development, and gradually took on roles that challenged me to grow. I am eternally grateful to Shely who helped me become the person I am today. Externally, I focused on building trust through communication, and leading by example.
7- What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young woman striving to make a difference?
My advice would be to believe in yourself and your unique abilities. Don’t let self-doubt or societal expectations hold you back. Seek out mentors, build a strong support system, and never stop learning.