the paperwork necessary to be recognized as a minority business with the government. Also, form alliances with majority owned companies to help in snaring some of these opportunities in the event they [need outside help].”
Doan’s problems however could haunt future appointees to the agency. “I think it will cause the decision makers to pause before they appoint another woman [of color] as the head of this particular agency,” says Clementine Clarke, founder of San Francisco-based MH & Associates, a governmental affairs, political strategy, fundraising, and community relations firm. One of CMH’s primary goals is on getting women of color elected to political office.
Clarke says she was surprised Doan remained in office until this year. “When we as a people of color enter into high level positions–private or public sector, it is important that we realize from day ‘one’ that we are expected to perform at a higher level of integrity and ethics because all eyes (even the ones you cannot visually see) are on you,” she says.