Makda Fessahaye, a Marquette Law grad who now works as the Associate Vice Chancellor and head of HR at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, talks about growing up in Milwaukee as a Black woman with Eritrean roots and how her parents’ focus on faith, education, and community helped shape who she is today.

She talks about the ups and downs of being a woman of color in school and at work, and how mentors and strong community ties have helped her along the way. She also shares how important it is to support others as you move forward in life.

Through honest and personal stories, Makda shows how her background and experiences have guided her—and how she hopes to help others on their own paths. If you're looking for a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation about resilience, sisterhood, and making a difference, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

3:21 - I went to many different schools—parochial, inner city, and then in Whitefish Bay. As a child of African immigrants, it was hard to navigate being in African-American and then predominantly white spaces. As a kid, I didn’t fully understand what I was experiencing. Looking back, I see how resilient children are. Later in life, being a young Black woman in leadership brought challenges—imposter syndrome, figuring out how to stay authentic while navigating workplace politics. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned a lot along the way.

09:06 - I just love that mural. It is beautiful. I think it is so reflective of the diversity of Milwaukee. It reminds me of the value of community, of being in community, to be of community, to be of sisterhood, I think is very important. And I think that that mural is so beautiful and so reflective of that.

13:59 - I hope to have the same impact others had on me—to be there when needed, to inspire, and to help others navigate challenges through my own experiences. I want to be someone who lifts others up and connects them to the resources they need.

Interview:

What is the story you’d like to share with us today and how do you identify?

[01:31] We could go anywhere with this story. I identify as a Black woman of Eritrean descent, and my journey has been shaped by my immigrant family’s devotion to faith and education, as well as my upbringing in Milwaukee’s Lincoln Park neighborhood."

How did you get onto the path that you're on?

[01:54] So my family, as I mentioned, is from Eritrea in East Africa. My parents immigrated here prior to me being born. They are a family that is rooted in faith, specifically the Catholic faith, and also have a major value and appreciation for education. So I grew up in a household where my summers were spent in the library and doing brain exercises and doing different workbooks and making sure that I just kept on track. I really look to my upbringing and what my parents valued as part of why I'm here today.

What kind of challenges, if any, did you face as you've sort of gone on your journey?

[03:21] I went to many different schools—parochial, inner city, and then in Whitefish Bay. As a child of African immigrants, it was hard to navigate being in African-American and then predominantly white spaces. As a kid, I didn’t fully understand what I was experiencing. Looking back, I see how resilient children are. Later in life, being a young Black woman in leadership brought challenges—imposter syndrome, figuring out how to stay authentic while navigating workplace politics. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned a lot along the way.

What’s been the role of women of color in your journey, especially in navigating some of those challenges?

[05:55] They’ve been incredible. One of my earliest mentors was Dee Dee Morgan at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. She gave me advice on everything from communication to handling day-to-day issues and continues to be a great resource. I’ve always been surrounded by strong Black women—in my family, church, and community—who supported and uplifted me. People like Mildred Harpole made sure I knew I was supported, even behind the scenes.

How has your identity informed the choices that you've made?

[08:06] Because of how I grew up, I gravitate toward mission-driven work—in my career, volunteer efforts, and community. I’m drawn to roles and organizations focused on supporting the next generation, especially youth, because that’s what my community did for me. I feel a responsibility to give back in the same way.

How has the theme of the mural resonated for you?

[09:06] I love the mural—it’s beautiful and reflects Milwaukee’s diversity. It reminds me of community and sisterhood. It’s a visual representation that we are not alone, that we’re part of something bigger. It honors those who came before us and faced similar struggles. To me, it represents unity, strength, and support.

What kind of support did you get from Marquette as a law student?

[10:10] Law school is tough, but I received a lot of support from the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers and Black alumni who regularly checked in on us. Their presence reminded me I wasn’t alone and gave me insight into different career paths. I also had professors who supported me—as much as I was willing to accept it. I learned that success isn’t one-size-fits-all. My career path hasn’t been linear, and that’s okay.

Who are your inspirations as women of color?

[11:59] There are so many. Chrissy Brown, the president of Alverno, is phenomenal. I also look up to Roberta Harris, who I admired growing up. My aunts were like big sisters. And my peer, Kristen Hardy—she’s someone I went to law school with, and we’ve supported each other through our career journeys. I learn from the women around me all the time.

What do you do for self-care?

[13:20] I’m working on that. I’m trying to say no more often and set boundaries. I like to travel—though it can be exhausting. I play tennis and sing in my church choir. Most importantly, I’m learning to take time for myself.

What kind of impact do you hope to have on women of color, both those coming up and those before you?

[13:59] I hope to have the same impact others had on me—to be there when needed, to inspire, and to help others navigate challenges through my own experiences. I want to be someone who lifts others up and connects them to the resources they need.

What are your hopes for the future—yours, the community’s, and Marquette’s?

[14:44] I don’t have a clear answer, but I hope we continue to lean on each other during uncertain times. We’re stronger when we move together. Facing challenges alone doesn’t get us very far—community is essential.

Do you see barriers to us being able to do that?

[15:34] I think we’re still recovering from COVID and the isolation it caused. It’s easy to stay behind a screen. We need to make the effort to come together in person. There’s something special and energizing about being around people—it helps us reconnect in ways technology can’t.

What would you like the community, our community, Marquette’s community to know about you and your journey?

[16:25] My journey hasn’t been linear, and that’s because I’ve stayed open—even though I’m the type of person who used to plan everything. I’ve taken calculated risks in my career, and I’ve only been able to do that because of the people who supported me. I hope my journey has made a positive impact on others in a meaningful way.

Contact Information:

http://www.marquette.edu/diversity/

Credits:

The Our Roots Say That We're Sisters Podcast series was recorded and produced by Podcast Town (www.podcasttown.net)