Marcie Ward Hanson

I attribute my success to the strong foundation my parents provided through their values, education, and example. My father’s journey from poverty to achievement, guided by his mother’s commitment to education, and my mother’s 37-year career in education, instilled in me a deep respect for hard work, discipline, and perseverance. I also recognize the importance of having been supported in ways many are not. Personally, I believe success comes from passion, dedication, and consistently pursuing work that truly excites you, and I bring that mindset into everything I do.

The best career advice I ever received came from my parents, who instilled in me the importance and value of education from an early age. They taught me that education has the power to change lives, open doors, and create opportunities that can shape a better future. Their guidance inspired my lifelong passion for learning, personal growth, and helping others succeed.

I would advise young women entering my industry to focus first on discovering their true passion. When you identify what genuinely excites and motivates you, you can begin to shape it into a meaningful and sustainable career. If you enjoy what you do enough to pursue it even as a hobby, you can build a fulfilling professional life around it. Success comes more naturally when you are aligned with your purpose, and when people genuinely enjoy their work, they are more likely to excel and create a positive impact on others.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is the continued gap in gender equity in senior leadership roles. While progress is being made and more women are entering the workforce and leadership spaces, they are still often underrepresented at the highest levels of decision-making. I also see a strong opportunity in the growing recognition of the value women bring to organizations, particularly in areas like collaboration, execution, and attention to detail. This shift is gradually changing leadership dynamics and creating more space for women to lead and make a meaningful impact.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are family and faith, which are at the very center of everything I do. I also strongly value hard work, dedication, and passion, as I believe success is built on doing work that you are genuinely excited about and fully committed to each day. I strive to apply that mindset in my professional life while also prioritizing time with my family and creating meaningful memories together. At home, I value building a supportive and positive environment, which even extends to the joy my two dogs bring into our lives.