Today we’d like to introduce you to Latifat Lawal.
Hi Latifat, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got married extremely young while being in the military; I was away from family and I ultimately thought this was a good idea until I had my daughter in 2020 at the age of 24. I instantly snapped into parenthood and my spouse didn’t so I felt like I was figuring things out on my own. I felt so alone. I ended up deciding to visit Houston when she was 6 weeks old and the village I had was amazing. It led me to moving back to Houston so that I could have that village all of the time. My ex moved with us and 2 month into our move I found out he was an affair. It broke me so bad, I did not recognize myself. From that day on, I got myself into therapy and promised I would never let myself go again. Of course, postpartum depression was a big factor but as your child gets older it slowly tapers away and you still would need to prioritize yourself because being a mom is a full time job even when they are older; it just gets a bit easier. Now that I am divorced mom of 2, I’ve realized in order for me to be sane, I have to have balance! If I want to take a trip, work full time, get my hair done, grab cocktails during a girl night out, I should be able to do so without being judged!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Whew, it has not been a smooth road at all… I struggle with wanting to share my story because the internet can be a scary place, I also want to be extremely mindful of what I say in hopes that it doesn’t attack anyone’s character. The last thing is, everyone has a podcast! It can seem discouraging but I am still pushing through!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently work as a HR Business Partner, I have been doing that for about 8 years. Some of my HR experience comes from my time in the U.S. Navy. As a Navy veteran turned HR professional, I bring a unique blend of leadership, discipline, and strategic thinking to the world of human resources. My military background instilled in me a strong work ethic, adaptability, and a mission-driven mindset qualities that translate seamlessly into driving organizational success and supporting people-first cultures.
What truly sets me apart is the intersection of my military experience, advanced education, and passion for empowering people. I understand how to lead under pressure, communicate across diverse teams, and build systems that help both employees and organizations thrive. Whether I’m solving complex employee relations issues or aligning HR strategy with business goals, I bring a level of insight, resilience, and professionalism that comes from a career built on service and continuous growth.
With that being said, my professional and educational achievements set the bar really high for me which is funny because I feel like as a divorced mom of 2, I have choice than to keep looking for the next best thing to make sure my kids live a comfortable life. My brand “The Millennial Mom” is my outlet and I pray to create a sense of community from doing so.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I would say leveraging my military background, alumni network and using my HR role as an asset. What has worked for me was practicing an elevator pitch to sell myself before they lose interest, optimizing my LinkedIn profile and showing up for events even if it was virtually.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: themillennialmom.podcast &thereal.lati
- Youtube: themillennialmompodcast
Image Credits
Dreamymomentphotography.
