Her Story
About Marina
Marina Rodriguez Hathway is a Business Analyst at Fitness On Demand, where she works on the product side of the business, translating executive vision, business needs, and user requirements into detailed, actionable plans. She collaborates closely with developers and C-suite executives to create product roadmaps, requirements, and user stories, often describing her work as developing “paint-by-numbers” guides that give teams a clear path from concept to execution. She also leads sprint rituals and leverages tools including Jira, Confluence, and Asana to support agile workflows, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration. Her contributions to improving collaboration across departments earned her Fitness On Demand’s “Rooster Award.” Marina’s path to IT and Product Management was shaped by a career-ending accident involving a semi-truck that ended her pursuit of professional dance at age 18. She subsequently began her technology career in the IT support department at Sprint Nextel. Through her studies and professional experience, she discovered how creativity and analytics could intersect in technology and product management rather than be contrasting or opposing ideals. Before moving into her current role, she served as a Technical Support Supervisor at Fitness On Demand and an Operations Manager at David’s Bridal. She holds Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) and Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I) certifications from Scrum.org and credits her director of marketing as an important mentor who continues to support her professional development. Marina has developed a strong focus on confidence, communication, and collaboration, particularly when working across language and time zone barriers. She believes in knowing her worth, trusting her expertise, and taking up space when she has valuable knowledge to contribute. Outside of work, she remains active in her community through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and Can Do Canines, where she received her black Labrador service dog. She also continues to enjoy dancing, reading, and gardening. Guided by values of respect and integrity, Marina brings resilience, creativity, and a commitment to continuous learning to both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, adaptability, and my willingness to embrace change. After an accident at 18 ended my path as a professional dancer, I learned how to navigate an unexpected transition and build a new career in IT and product roles. That experience taught me to remain open to new opportunities, continuously learn, and persevere through challenges. My ability to adapt, draw on lessons from different experiences, and stay committed to personal and professional growth has been instrumental in shaping my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is that it is acceptable to take up space and even to create opportunities for yourself to do so. You are the only expert on what you do or do not know. It taught me to trust my knowledge, speak with confidence, and recognize that my expertise deserves to be heard. I have carried that perspective throughout my career, using my experience and knowledge to contribute meaningfully and confidently in professional settings.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to know your worth and understand where you bring a unique view and value to each opportunity. Be confident in your skill set, recognize the value you bring to an organization, and do not be afraid to advocate for yourself. Knowing your worth can help you make informed career decisions, set healthy boundaries, and pursue opportunities that align with your goals and abilities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating communication and international collaboration across different teams, cultures, and time zones. Another challenge in the tech industry is how heavily male dominated the industry remains. This has only reinforced the importance of self-assuredness, clear communication, and building strong professional relationships. At the same time, these experiences have created opportunities for me to strengthen my leadership skills, broaden my perspective, and contribute a valuable voice to diverse teams.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are respect and integrity. I believe in treating others with consideration, listening to different perspectives, and building relationships based on mutual respect. Integrity is equally important because I strive to be honest, accountable, and consistent in my actions, regardless of the situation.
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