Hannah Hanley

Hannah Hanley is an interior designer based in Phoenix who is currently studying interior architecture in a graduate program. She graduated with an environmental design degree in 2021 and previously worked as a partnership coordinator for the National Forest, where she handled environmental work and some design tasks. After being laid off, she decided to pursue design more fully and began applying to graduate programs at the beginning of last year. She secured her first interior design client in the spring and has since worked on fulfilling projects while balancing school and building her business, including part-time work in furniture retail. One notable achievement includes winning an innovation award alongside her supervisor for a non-profit program that used influencers to promote government messaging on best practices for public lands. Hannah attributes her success to her ambition and ability to enter a meditative flow state during design work, appreciating the iterative and experimental nature of the process. She emphasizes positive self-talk and the personal mantra that her life is designed for success. Her core values are curiosity and collaboration, which she applies by asking thoughtful questions, delegating effectively, and celebrating team members' unique skills. She advises young women entering the field to be authentic, clarify their values and creative expression, invest in themselves, and show up consistently to stand out in a competitive market.