Ep 25: Saying Yes Before You’re Ready: How Amy Hanan Built a Career Through Relationships, Curiosity, and Courage

What if the biggest career shifts don’t come from having the perfect plan — but from raising your hand before you feel fully ready? In this episode of Marketing Your Way, I’m joined by Amy Hanan, a seasoned marketing executive whose career journey spans media, legal, financial services, compliance, and growth leadership. Amy shares how she went from studying English literature to becoming a high-level marketing leader by staying curious, saying yes to stretch opportunities, and building genuine relationships along the way. We talk about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including taking on projects outside her job description, learning on the job without an MBA, and why authentic relationships have been the driving force behind nearly every new opportunity in her career over the last decade. Amy also opens up about what networking really looks like when you’re an introvert, how she approaches continuous learning in a fast-changing industry, and the practical ways she’s using AI in her work today. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you do not need to have every step mapped out to build a meaningful career. Sometimes the next chapter begins by simply saying yes. In This Episode, We Talk About: ✔️How Amy found her way into marketing from an English literature background ✔️Why raising your hand for projects outside your role can change your career ✔️The “sliding doors” moment that shifted her path in marketing ✔️How working across regulated industries kept her challenged and growing ✔️Why authentic relationships have been the foundation of her career opportunities ✔️A more natural way to think about networking, especially for introverts ✔️ Why she’s proud of building her career without an MBA ✔️How to keep learning on the job and become a stronger business partner ✔️How she uses AI in her current work and where she sees the most value ✔️Her advice to early-career women who are afraid to speak up in the room Memorable Takeaway One of the most powerful moments in this conversation is when Amy reflects on raising her hand to lead a marketing automation project early in her career — a decision she describes as a true turning point that changed her trajectory. Connect with Amy Hanan Connect with Amy on LinkedIn. Thank you to our affiliate partner: Make.com allows you to build powerful automations between your tools without coding — from lead capture to content workflows to client onboarding. Connect with Anastasiia Mann • Newsletter for women in marketing: Subscribe here • Instagram @anastasiia_mann & LinkedIn • Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or colleague and subscribe to Marketing Your Way for more conversations on career growth, reinvention, and building work that fits your life.