Optimization of female employees is the maximum empowerment of women which is a strategic way for the leadership of Pesantren Darularafah Raya to increase the role of women in the development of pesantren business units as an effort towards the independence of educational institutions. This type of research is qualitative to describe the factors that affect pesantren leaders in optimizing female employees and employee optimization strategies. Collecting data in this study using interview techniques, observation, and document study. Furthermore, the data collected was analyzed in stages: (1) data condensation, (2) data presentation, and (3) conclusion or verification. The findings found six factors that influence Pesantren leadership in optimizing female employees, namely: loyalty; ability to play multiple roles, relatively longer working period (endurance), feeling sufficient (qana'ah) with the welfare and comfort provided, a significant contribution in the Islamic boarding school business unit, active work and able to improve personal and group (family) welfare. Strategies for optimizing female employees in pesantren business units include: 1) opening opportunities and job opportunities, 2) conducting recruitment, 3) living in pesantren, 4) conducting training, 5) conducting mapping, 6) placement, and 7) Refreshment.