Meet the Lead(h)er team

Hannah Howard is the Executive Director of Lead(h)er. She is a Muscatine native and has spent the past decade working in the nonprofit realm. Hannah joined Lead(h)er in September of 2023 and is thrilled to lead an organization that fuels career and community engagement for women in the Quad Cities.

Hannah is passionate about helping women get connected to the power of mentorship and creating opportunities for connection. In her personal time, Hannah is an avid traveler and enjoys hiking, checking out new restaurants or breweries, gardening, and spending time with her dogs.

Feel free to reach out! Hannah is eager to connect with community partners and share more about this impactful organization.

Why does mentoring matter to you?
I work in 2 male dominated industries at the same time, AdTech & Media. Female mentorship has been critical for me in navigating my career and along the way many young women have asked questions about how to manage their careers. Strong female mentors are so sorely needed everywhere and I believe it is one of the most important things we can do in life for others.

How has mentorship impacted your personal and professional success?
Mentorship has helped me in all aspects of my life. It has helped me grow a successful career and learn how to navigate tough negotiations and know my worth. It has also helped me personally as a mother and part of a large local family with BALANCE.

Why does mentoring matter to you?
Mentoring matters to me because a lot of my successes have been thanks to the guidance of mentors in my life.

How has mentorship impacted your personal and professional success?
Mentorship has impacted me greatly in both my personal and professional life. I was brought to the United States at the age of 10 and it was a big culture shock for me. I didn’t know the language, the lifestyle or the struggles that living in the U.S. would bring. My parents were also going through their own struggles and couldn’t be much help in guiding me through school or my career. As I grew older I realized that there was a lot that I needed to learn and do if I wanted to become successful. My very first mentor helped me navigate through college and helped me get a scholarship. Thanks to her I was able to attend Black Hawk College with a tuition free scholarship. Thanks to that scholarship I was able to get a degree that I could later use in my career. As I started my first professional job, my manager became my mentor. She taught me everything I needed to know about the corporate world. Thanks to her I was able to land in roles that I didn’t think I would be able to. In every stage of my life, there has always been someone there to guide me and I want to be that someone for someone else.

What is your advice on successful mentorship?
I recently read a quote from Oprah Winfrey “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself”. The great thing about mentors is that they often see your potential before you do. The key to a successful mentoring relationship is open communication, respect and trust.

What is the best advice you have been given from a mentor?
To not be afraid to seek out a new mentor!

What does Lead(h)er’s mission mean to you?
To me, Lead(h)er’s mission proves that great things happen when women connect and support each other. It’s about personal and professional development - about building on the skills you have while sharing them with others. 

To put Lead(h)er’s impact into perspective, 1,100 women have been matched in the Strike a Match mentoring program. That’s 1,100 women committed to their development beyond what they are already doing at work and at home. A core value of the program is giving back to the community, which means these women have chosen to share their time and talents to help others. It also means that 1,100 families have a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, or friend setting an example that personal growth, community connection and helping others are an important part of creating a fulfilling life. 

Who is your favorite leader and why?
Jane Goodall. She leads by example with compassion, collaboration, and hope. She has dedicated her life to something she is passionate about and never let obstacles deter her from making a difference in the world.

When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to work at Walt Disney World in Florida. I made that dream a reality in 2004 and lived it for 3 years. I learned so much about customer service and the ability to impact the lives of others.

What is your advice on successful mentorship?
Seek out a mentor that you respect and trust, someone who is genuinely rooting for you and believes in your ability to succeed, maybe before you believe it yourself. Once you find that person, it’s much easier to be coachable and learn from that individual.

Why does mentoring matter to you?
The mentors in my life have impacted my professional success. They are the ones who believe in me enough for me to believe in myself, despite the challenges that I face in the professional world of Finance. I can build on their confidence in me to be a trailblazer for women in a male-dominated field so I can empower more clients to obtain financial security.

Why does mentoring matter to you?
The value of a mentor who not only believes in but actively supports one's professional journey cannot be overstated. Upon joining Lead(h)er and being paired with my mentor, I had the firsthand opportunity to witness the profound effects of having a guide who offered unwavering encouragement, constructive feedback, and served as a positive influence. This mentorship proved instrumental in navigating and overcoming challenges and setbacks, particularly in the context of bolstering my confidence.

How has mentorship impacted your personal and professional success?
Mentorship has been instrumental in offering me numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. Without the guidance of mentors, I would not have cultivated the confidence to embrace discomfort and aspire to achievements that I would traditionally observe others attain. With the support of Lead(h)er, I was connected with a mentor who not only motivated me to figure out my goals personally and professionally, but also offered crucial advice on the practical steps needed to achieve them. Thanks to their insightful guidance and ongoing support, I have achieved success in my envisioned career and forged meaningful connections by leveraging numerous networking opportunities.

Why does mentoring matter to you?
Mentoring matters to me because I view it as a chance to learn from others whether as a mentee or a mentor. We all need to be open to new ways of thinking and pushing women’s issues to the forefront. It also means having someone in your corner to boost you up, be a sounding board, and help straighten your tiara. Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees in our own life but a mentor can be an important ally to help you see your worth.   

How has mentorship impacted your personal and professional success?
I have had many mentors over the years but one that really impacted me was one who nudged me to finish my degree at 40 so I could move into greater opportunities within my company. I probably wouldn’t have ever finished it had I not had that push along with her rooting for me and believing in me. This in turn has positively impacted my personal life and something I am very grateful for. 

Why does mentoring matter to you?
Having a mentor who believes in and actively supports your professional journey is truly invaluable. My mentorship with Lead(h)er and other personal mentors have been instrumental in navigating and overcoming challenges and setbacks, particularly in boosting my confidence. The guidance from my mentors has played a key role in shaping my professional growth and success.

What is your advice on successful mentorship?
I believe successful mentorship boils down to building a solid foundation grounded in trust, clear communication, and shared goals. Open and honest communication is the key to creating a space where the mentee can comfortably seek guidance while the mentor provides constructive feedback with empathy. Regular engagement, including meetings and goal assessments, keeps the mentorship alive and effective. Realistic goal-setting and active listening are essential elements in the mix as well. And, of course, celebrating successes, big or small, is incredibly important in keeping the mentorship vibe positive and motivating.

What does Lead(h)er’s mission mean to you?
Lead(h)er’s mission is about more than just mentorship—it’s about creating pathways for women to lead with confidence, build strong networks, and thrive in their careers. For me, it represents the power of connection, the impact of intentional guidance, and the responsibility to uplift the next generation of women leaders. It’s a reminder that when women are supported, empowered, and given access to opportunities, entire communities benefit.

The best advice I’ve ever received from a mentor? 
“If you disrupt too quietly, they’ll call it a fluke. Make noise.” Subtlety doesn’t shift systems. If you’re here to challenge norms, break barriers, or build something new, don’t tiptoe—move with intention, make them take notice, and let your work speak at a volume they can’t ignore.

Why does mentoring matter to you?
I gained so much from being mentored in Lead(h)er. My mentor provided me with guidance on my career path when I was getting licensed, encouraged me to take advantage of opportunities I'd never consider (we did a Spotify podcast together!!), and still is one of my biggest cheerleaders four years later. Mentoring matters to me because I want to be able to be that support system for someone else. From having a mentor when I started out in Lead(h)er to now having two of my own mentees, I have seen the benefits of mentorship firsthand. Especially in a society that tries to pit women against other women by telling us that there's only room for one to be successful, it is so powerful to have women supporting each other instead. Mentorship allows each of us to become the best versions of ourselves together.

What is your advice on successful mentorship?Mentors have so much to share with mentees, but I believe successful mentorship starts with the mentor asking, "What do you hope to gain from this?" or "How can I help you?" By setting clear goals and expectations, the pair can build a roadmap of what they hope to achieve. Additionally, because the mentee in a way looks up to the mentor, it is important for a successful mentorship to have authenticity. Mentors won't always have all the answers, but it is okay to admit that and work towards the answers together.

What is your advice on successful mentorship?
Be yourself. Don’t feel like you must always have some profound words of wisdom for your mentee. Just talk, make a connection and the mentoring will free flow from there. You’re there to help them see, find, and grow into the best version of themselves!

How has mentorship impacted your personal and professional success?
I have had incredible mentors in my personal and professional life. To me a mentor is someone who is part of your daily life and you learn something from them. I’ve always been a sponge when it comes to intake of knowledge or advice and although I’ve been a Mentor with Lead(h)er, I learn from my Mentee every time we meet. With my experience as a Lead(h)er Mentor, I have found something that fills my cup and has nothing to do with my home or work life. Working moms don’t often do things that are self-serving but this has been a dream experience that I didn’t realize I needed!

Who is your favorite famous leader and why?
There are many qualities and skills we look for in a leader. To me a leader is not someone who runs a business well or makes a large profit. A leader is someone who can make positive and ethical changes, especially during difficult times. My favorite leader is Maria Eitel, Founder and Chair of the Nike Foundation and Girl Effect.

Ms. Eitel joined Nike at a turbulent time and became their first Vice-President of Corporate Responsibility. It took Eitel and her team seven years to overcome health issues, sexual harassment charges, and allegations of child labor violations. Over time they instituted fair labor practices, environmental stability, and invested in the communities their workers lived in.

Eitel took one step further by proposing to the Nike Foundation to help fund Girl Effect in 2004. Girl Effect helps young women living in poverty around the world to stay in school and delay marriage with programs like family planning and financial training. They are helping young women one at a time to make an impact for their families, communities, countries, and world.

We are so fortunate to have an organization like Lead(h)er which is making positive change one woman at a time. Together, we are helping women to make an impact in their career, family, and community. 

What does Lead(h)er’s mission mean to you?
We are so fortunate to have an organization like Lead(h)er in our community. Through this amazing organization women work together to help each other fuel their careers, overcome obstacles, set goals, and make positive change in their communities. 

I am so honored to serve on the Lead(h)er Board and help promote and support our programs to help as many women as possible achieve their personal and professional goals. Through the mentoring program we can learn from each other and provide support and advice in a safe and confidential way.