Human on the Inside with Mamamia’s Hannah Mansur
Human on the Inside. We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Maxme: Welcome Hannah, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight.
You’re currently Chief of Staff for Mamamia.
In 1 sentence, what does this role entail?
Hannah Mansur: I work with our co-founders, CEO and leaders to make their big ideas a reality.
M: While you’ve been with Mamamia for over six years now, the vast majority of your career has been spent in management consulting!
It all started in 2011 at the University of Wollongong’s School of Management, Operations & Marketing. Marking your debut into the professional working world, you spent just over a year as a Management & Marketing Analyst with the University before joining PwC Australia (PwC) in early 2012 - the start of an impressive 5+ year tenure.
Initially joining PwC as a People & Change Consultant, you moved to a new division of the Firm - The Difference - as an Experience Designer just 12months later. Nine months in and it was time for your next challenge - Strategic Communications Lead - where you had the opportunity to partner with clients to co-create diverse communications, marketing solutions and events that inspire and engage. In your final year with PwC you shifted to its CMO Advisory in a Managerial role spanning research & insights, strategic communications and organisational transformation & change management.
The following year your Mamamia journey began - initially joining the Online Publisher as a Senior Strategy Manager - Partner Solutions, and have steadily progressed through the business since this time in a further four roles (Head of Partner Strategy, Head of Consumer Products, Head of Commercial Projects and now Chief of Staff).
How does all this speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
HM: What drives me…I get bored easily, or to spin it positively - I’m a quick learner. As a Management Consultant I learnt the skills (and mindset) to be able to step into roles anywhere in an organisation.
It took me a decade or so to get here but I’m now a proud generalist. My super skills are communications, project management and people leadership - all of which make me a great fit for a lot of different roles. So when a new topic takes my interest or becomes an organisational priority I can jump into it.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
HM: I studied a Bachelor of Psychology and completed my Honours year. Until the very last month of my 4 year Degree, I was convinced I’d go straight into my Clinical Masters and become a Clinical Psychologist. Then I had a major identity crisis, realising that at 21 I was nowhere near ready to spend my days giving mental health advice. I felt like I was back at square one, but luckily I’d taken a few Organisational Psychology classes throughout my Degree and decided to explore this further. I applied for holiday work experience at PwC which was incredible. At the end of week one I had a whole new path and joined the Firm’s graduate program the following year.
Surrounded by actuaries who used their Actuarial Studies Degrees every single day, I used to joke that my Degree had nothing to do with my day to day work. Now that I’m older, wiser and in leadership roles - I couldn’t think of a more useful grounding than Psychology for a Chief of Staff role.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
HM: Avoid the temptation to specialise too early. Use your early career (while you’re cheap, relatively flexible and have minimal responsibilities) to gather experiences. I reckon five years offers the perfect amount of time to start specialising. Then, once you reach leadership, you’ll broaden again and call on all those experiences gathered in the early days.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace or industry right now?
HM: Human skills are more critical than ever in the media industry, especially as generative AI becomes a regular part of our day-to-day operations.
At Mamamia, like most businesses, we’re rethinking how we approach problem-solving, creativity, and communication in this new AI-enabled landscape. While these shiny new tools are essential for improving efficiency and helping us get more done, the real value will always come from people. Their ideas, and their ability to build meaningful relationships with clients, audiences, and each other.
In my opinion, the most valuable talent in today’s workforce isn’t about knowing the most about the latest AI. It’s about the ability to blend human insight with new technology. And then communicate that clearly to others.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal superpower?
HM: My super skills are communications, project management and people leadership. These skills have made me a career chameleon and allowed me to jump into different teams, projects and problems.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
HM: Negotiation. Especially when it comes to anything financial. As a natural people pleaser, it never feels natural. I love watching my colleagues who negotiate well at work - it’s something I’m actively working on.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work in the field of online publishing, what would it be?
HM: Just start creating. Writing, creating social content, recording and editing your own podcast. We are so much more interested in seeing your skills in action than your University Degree. Try to get work experience as soon as possible, or an internship (if you can financially afford to) but otherwise, just start making content about your own life. You don’t need a job or the badge of someone else’s brand to start building a portfolio.
M: You’ve been granted approval to add one University graduate to your business, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
HM: I’d look for someone proactive—someone who’s taken the time to research our business, products, and teams and comes to us with thoughtful suggestions about what we could do and they have a guess about HOW we could do it. They’re not waiting to be told, and they’re not afraid to be wrong.
Exceptional communication is also key. This doesn’t mean they’re a future author, but they can structure information clearly and effectively, even in something as simple as bullet points. They think about their audience first (whether that’s advertising clients, website readers, or corporate partners) and tailor their approach accordingly.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
HM: Wow this is so timely. I made a “2025 bingo card” this year, instead of New Years Resolutions. This comprises 12 things I want to tick off in 2025. One of the items is “Decide Go/No Go on PHD or Masters”. So you might need to check in with me again at the end of the year. I’d love to research the relationship between AI and the “normals”/non-tech people in the workforce OR go back and finally get my Clinical Masters. Stay tuned.
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