Najla Kayyem’s path to leadership began at SDSU

When Najla Kayyem (‘01) looks at her career, she gives a lot of credit to her time at SDSU. It was at SDSU where she learned the importance of building connections that would then lead to new opportunities, a lesson gained both from her time within the PR program, from which she graduated, as well as her experiences as the president of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. 

“Don’t burn bridges as your network is your net worth. Knowing and connecting with people in a meaningful way is hyper important” Kayyem explained. “All those things are really cornerstones of my career, they are the building blocks that I recommend to new graduates.” 

While attending SDSU, Kayyem launched her career with an internship at Seaport Village, a position in which she quickly held a lot of responsibility.

“I got thrown into the mix immediately and had a sink or swim moment," Kayyem said. “It was a great opportunity for me to really sink my teeth into something and make a difference.”

After her internship, Kayyem immediately received a job offer as a marketing coordinator for Westfield shopping centers in Palm Desert. She quickly advanced to a director role.

“I immersed myself in the world of hospitality, retail and residential marketing and I learned the development side of things outside of the marketing space,” Kayyem recalled.

After transitioning into the hospitality industry, Kayyem worked coast to coast, from Los Angeles to Phoenix to New York City. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, she launched her own agency, Kayyem Marketing.

“It was born out of necessity because every department that wasn’t revenue generating was being cut during that time, but they still had the need for somebody to do all of the work,” she said.

Today, Kayyem serves as the executive director of Steadfast LA, a nonprofit founded in January that is focused on rebuilding Los Angeles businesses and homes after the devastating fires. This is an opportunity in which she is fully invested. 

“Steadfast LA was born out of a crisis and so it wasn’t something I was looking for. But it certainly fits my trajectory and the need for me to really help others and help make an impact in a community that’s near and dear to my heart,” Kayyem shared.