Hanna Marada

I attribute my success to staying curious, thinking outside the box, and being adaptable. I've never been someone who's satisfied with "that's how we've always done it." I enjoy finding opportunities to improve processes, support people, and create positive change. I also believe success comes from being agile. Business is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt and pivot helped me grow, build strong relationships, and create meaningful impact throughout my career.

The best career advice I've ever received was: don't make yourself small.

Not every opportunity will go the way you hope, and you won't always hear the answer you want. But instead of letting that discourage you, treat it as a learning experience. Use every challenge to build your skills, expand your knowledge, and prepare yourself for what's next.

That way, when the next opportunity comes along, you won't just say you're ready—you'll be able to confidently show that you are.

Be curious, be confident enough to ask questions, and remember that you don't have to know everything on day one. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from asking questions and learning from the people around me.

I'd also encourage young women to build relationships beyond their own department and industry. Understanding how every part of the business works—from finance to operations to HR—makes you a better leader and gives you a much bigger perspective. Success isn't about having all the answers; it's about being willing to learn and building a network of people you can learn from, lean on and call on when the time comes.

One of the biggest challenges—and at the same time, one of the greatest opportunities—in HR today is aligning people strategy with business strategy.

The more time HR spends learning the operation and partnering with leaders across the organization, the better we can hire, develop, and support people in ways that drive the business forward. When HR truly understands the business, we can build a workforce that's prepared to support both today's needs and future growth.

Trust is the value I hold most closely because it's the foundation of every meaningful relationship, both professionally and personally. When trust exists, it creates an environment where people feel safe to communicate openly, collaborate effectively, and bring their authentic selves to the table. I believe trust is earned through integrity—being honest, dependable, and following through on your commitments.

Another value that guides me is stewardship—the belief that we should use our experience, influence, and opportunities to create opportunities for others. I believe the greatest influence leaders can have comes from using their experience and voice to help others grow. Whether it's helping employees develop, supporting fellow leaders, strengthening organizations, or giving back to the communities that support us, I believe meaningful success is measured by the positive impact we have on others. Seeing someone gain confidence, develop new skills, or reach their goals is one of the most rewarding measures of success.