Najla Haywood serves as Vice President and Director of Communications at FDY, Inc., a forty-year, minority-owned food service management company headquartered in Charlotte, NC. In her dual roles, Haywood is responsible for promoting the company’s organizational profile through strategic communications and leading the company’s strategic growth through business development. Since joining FDY, Haywood has implemented a full technological overhaul to automate the company’s human resources, accounting, and operational functions. Under her leadership, FDY, Inc. has added new food service concepts including a virtual kitchen, commissary kitchen and food truck, to its portfolio. Haywood has also launched the Floyd and Norma Young Foundation in honor of her grandparents and founders of FDY, Inc. The foundation serves as a resource to underserved communities in Charlotte, NC.

Prior to joining FDY, Inc., Haywood served as communications director for the DC Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) where she managed communications and legislative affairs for the District of Columbia’s leading procurement agency. There, she guided small businesses in pursuit of District government contracts, worked closely with local legislatures on policy issues, and managed the agency’s internal and external communications.

Her extensive background in marketing and communications also includes her service as public affairs specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) where she managed a wide portfolio of public relations work, including external engagement and outreach, social media, and website content design and maintenance. During her four-year tenure with the USDOJ, she served as an integral member of the administration team to support President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. She served as agency spokesperson and facilitated national coverage of the agency’s efforts. She also helped to redesign the agency’s website and served as managing editor of the agency newsletter.

Haywood has also served as the public information officer for the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) where she was responsible for managing and responding to media inquiries; and drafting and editing press releases, talking points, testimonies, and external presentations. She also supervised the customer service team; planned and executed numerous public events, including hiring events for thousands of DC residents; and helped plan and execute internal events, such as staff retreats.

Haywood has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Howard University, a master’s degree in International Communication from American University, and a certificate in Strategic Management from Georgetown University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc. She is a proud third generation leader of FDY, Inc.