Her Story
About Amani
Amani Hussain has always been drawn to the intersection of creativity and business. A first-generation American born and raised in New York City with a background in music and the arts, she developed an early appreciation for storytelling and creative expression. Her interest in business was heavily inspired by her parents, who both immigrated to the U.S. and built careers for themselves in Manhattan from the ground up. Watching her mother build a career in commercial real estate and finance with resilience and ambition shaped Amani’s approach to her own professional journey, while her father’s career as a jeweler inspired her appreciation for creativity, and building something both skillful and beautiful.
Through internships during college, Amani discovered advertising and brand partnerships, which felt like the perfect intersection of strategy, creativity, culture, and business impact. That path ultimately led her to Refinery29 and later Forbes, where she now works across integrated marketing, content, events, digital, social, print, and experiential platforms to help brands build meaningful, high-impact storytelling programs that resonate with audiences and drive measurable business results.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amani
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute a lot of my success to being my own best advocate. Early in my career, I became very intentional about raising my hand for opportunities, positioning myself strategically, and putting myself in rooms that challenged me to grow.
I also believe deeply in self-drive and accountability. Nothing is simply handed to you - if you want something, you have to go after it consistently and confidently. I’ve always believed the universe meets you halfway when you put in the work, and that mindset has shaped both my personal and professional growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that preparation builds confidence. Especially as a young woman under 30 (just!), I learned early on that strong ideas, strategic thinking, and consistency speak louder than your age or your title. I’ve also learned that your reputation is built long before you need it. The way you show up, collaborate, communicate, and handle pressure matters just as much as the work itself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Learn how to think strategically, not just creatively. Great ideas only work when they’re grounded in audience insight, business objectives, and intentional execution.
I’d also encourage young women to trust their perspective and speak up earlier than they think they’re ready to. Some of the biggest career growth moments came from being willing to take up space, contribute ideas confidently, and advocate for myself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest conversations happening in marketing right now is the over-reliance on AI and automation in creative work. AI is an incredibly powerful tool, but I think there’s a growing misconception that it can replace strategic and creative thinking entirely.
What actually makes someone a strong marketer is human discernment - understanding people, culture, audience behavior, emotional nuance, and business context. Creativity without strategy is just fluff, and strategy without audience insight is guesswork. The biggest opportunity in the industry right now is using AI to enhance efficiency while still protecting the human creativity and strategic thinking that ultimately make campaigns resonate and drive real business impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Outside of work, I’m deeply grounded by my relationships with my husband, mom, and close friends. As ambitious as I am professionally, I believe investing in people who genuinely encourage and celebrate your wins is one of the most important parts of long-term success and fulfillment.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · New York
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.