Hannah Messinger

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

“Energetic optimist who is passionate about continuous learning and getting more women in leadership roles.”

Age: 35

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Fun fact about yourself: I have a twin and an adopted sister who is just four months older—we call ourselves fake triplets!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Syracuse University, Bachelor of Arts, Double Major: Psychology and Public Relations

Where are you currently working? Mars, Senior Manager, External Communications

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? There are two achievements that stand out the most to me so far in my professional career. First, while at Penn Medicine—the University of Pennsylvania’s health system and medical school—I led communications for the announcement of Drs. Katalin Karikó’s and Drew Weissman’s Nobel Prize in Medicine. Their groundbreaking mRNA research enabled the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Being part of such a historic and meaningful milestone was both humbling and inspiring.

Second, I’m incredibly proud of earning my MBA while working full time. Balancing both school and a career was challenging, but I made the most of the Tepper School experience. I served as a teaching assistant, held leadership roles on the Tepper Women in Business board, supported a local nonprofit through the Pro Bono Consulting club, served as an admissions ambassador, and so much more. It was a period of intense growth, and I’m proud of how much I was able to contribute and learn.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I first got to know Tepper through Forté’s MBALaunch program, where I connected with members of the Tepper Women in Business Club. I immediately clicked with the students I spoke with, and their enthusiasm and authenticity left a lasting impression. But beyond the community, I wanted a program that aligned with my goals: a rigorous, hybrid MBA that supported future women leaders and offered the same opportunities, curriculum, and resources as a full-time program.

The Tepper school delivered on all fronts and then some. The STEM-designated curriculum, combined with access to individualized leadership coaching, made me feel fully supported as a hybrid student and truly elevated my experience.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part of the Tepper School’s online hybrid MBA program—aside from meeting lifelong friends—was the immediate impact it had on my career. I could apply what I learned in the virtual classroom directly to my work the very next day, which made the learning experience relevant and rewarding. Leadership coaching through the Accelerate Leadership Center was a big part of this. I have to give a big shoutout to the incredible Laura Maxwell for her guidance and advice throughout the program!

What also makes the Tepper School unique is its hybrid model. While classes are held online, we have immersive in-person experiences through on-campus Access Weekends. These sessions offered valuable opportunities to deepen relationships with my cohort, engage in hands-on learning, and build a strong professional network. The combination of flexibility and meaningful in-person connection made my experience truly special.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? My undergraduate education built a strong foundation for my career, and the online hybrid model elevated how I learn. The Tepper School transformed my home office into a classroom and my workplace into a proving ground. This involved live classes with faculty two evenings a week, which was paired with asynchronous lectures, readings, and assignments.

This online experience was immediately applicable to my day job. I could take what I learned one night and use it at work the next day, which simply wasn’t possible during undergrad. Of course, I love in-classroom experiences, especially as an undergraduate student at Syracuse University. Thankfully, the Tepper School builds that in-person element into its program through Access Weekends. And while balancing work, life, and school required a new level of discipline, it also helped me develop leadership skills and time-management habits that I’m sure will serve me for years to come.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? What you put into an online MBA program is what you get out of it. The flexibility is one of its greatest strengths, as it allows you to grow in your career and personal life while pursuing a degree. But that same flexibility also requires discipline and intentionality. My best advice: be proactive about how you set your goals and structure your time. Block time to study and work on your assignments and group projects, but most importantly, give yourself time to rest.

Being kind to yourself and resting is what allows you to show up fully. For instance, I blocked my calendar every Friday and Saturday evening to focus on what gives me energy—spending time with my incredible husband, family, and friends. I truly think that’s what helped me continue to show up with ambition and energy throughout my MBA experience.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes, during my second year in the program I was offered a new role at Mars, a global company I had long aspired to join. The skills and confidence I gained through the Tepper School’s MBA program and one-on-one leadership coaching played a pivotal role in helping me make this leap.

Although I had worked with Mars before—as a client during my time at Edelman, a global PR agency based in New York—I was now applying to the role after spending years working in a different industry. At the time, I was serving as the Senior News Director at Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where I led a team of press officers, overseeing daily news operations and supporting crisis communications. For more than five years, I focused on translating complex medical research into media stories. While I was passionate about the work, I was ready for a new challenge and eager to grow within a global organization.

Throughout the application and interview process, I leaned on my leadership coach, Laura Maxwell, for support. She helped me reframe my experience and identify the transferable skills I brought to the table, while approaching each interview with confidence. That guidance was invaluable in helping me navigate the career transition, and ultimately land the opportunity I had been working toward.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? While I was initially interested in pursuing a full-time program, I didn’t want to pause my career in order to grow it. I found the right balance with the Tepper School’s online hybrid MBA program, as I was able to get the best of both worlds—the same curriculum in a flexible format. It also helped that the Tepper School provided leadership, community, and extracurricular opportunities.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? AI is not new to Carnegie Mellon, and the Tepper School has seamlessly integrated AI into its programming, from classroom discussions to entire classes dedicated to the topic. For example, just in my last two classes I used AI to test behavioral economic principles in hiring decisions and we utilized AI to enhance team ideation with a design thinking perspective.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 12-15

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Regardless of where my career goes, my ultimate long-term professional goal is to make a meaningful impact as a leader. Wherever I end up, I want to use my position to open doors for others, especially those who may not always see themselves represented in leadership. For me, success means building teams where equity, opportunity, and growth are everyday realities.

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