Name: Ghammam Mansoor
Title: Leadership Associate / Human Resources Associate - EEO
Department of Administrative Services
Office: EEO Center of Excellence
1. Can you share your current role and key responsibilities within the State of Connecticut?
As a Leadership Associate/Human Resources Associate – EEO within the DAS EEO Center of Excellence, my key responsibilities include providing EEO services and ensuring that my assigned client agencies, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Housing (DOH), are compliant with state statutes and regulations. This includes conducting investigations and mediations into discrimination-based claims, monitoring the recruitment and hiring process, attending career fairs, and conducting career counseling.
2. What motivated you to pursue a career with the State of Connecticut, and what has been your journey here?
I have always found it important to serve my community and support organizations that sustain and develop the communities around us. After working with a national non-profit for a couple of years, I decided it was time to come back and contribute to the work being done here locally in Connecticut. Working with the State has given me the opportunity to do just that!
3. What achievements at the State of Connecticut are you most proud of, and what impact have they had?
So far, I’m most proud of addressing the discrimination and harassment complaints our office has received from State employees. It feels very enriching to have a tangible impact on someone’s life, with the added bonus of playing the role of the “detective” in a case!
4. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of your work, and how do they enrich your life?
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, going to the gym, playing an instrument, and producing music. All these activities keep me inspired! I love watching the sunset, seeing new places, keeping the gears turning, and creatively expressing myself!
5. Could you share a memorable travel experience and what made that destination special for you?
Italy! The food, culture, architecture, and history are all incredibly awe-inspiring. What made this destination special for me was surprising and proposing to my partner in Rome on our anniversary!
6. What advice would you give to someone considering a career with the State of Connecticut?
Always refer to the job posting! Specifically, be sure to reference the job description and preferred qualifications when articulating why you’re the most qualified candidate in a referral question or interview.
7. What’s your favorite spot in Connecticut, and what makes it special to you?
This is tough. I always argue that Connecticut is the hidden gem of the Northeast. If I had to choose, I’d probably say New Haven. The city is incredibly diverse, has a very rich history, and has arguably the best pizza in the country!
8. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it to make a difference?
I would choose the ability to fly. There’s so much you could do with this power: easily go in and out of disaster zones to evacuate individuals in need, deliver urgent supplies to remote locations, assist with scientific discoveries by surveying hard-to-reach islands/lands, and assist in rescue missions on land or on the seas. There’s also the added benefit of having the coolest view wherever you go!
9. Who is the person you admire, and what qualities do they possess that inspire you?
My partner, who is one of the most tenacious, hardworking, and selfless people I know. She is extremely creative, easily the most organized person I have ever met, and is constantly going out of her way to help people, and has even made a career out of doing so. She pushes me to be the best version of myself and inspires me every day!
10. What’s an interesting or fun fact?
There is no such thing as a sugar rush. The phenomenon observed in kids is actually a psychological placebo effect, typically brought on by parental or environmental influences.
