Stephanie L. Hannan (EMBA ‘25) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business is among Poets&Quants’ 2025 Best and Brightest Executive MBAs across the globe. The list celebrates students from the Class of 2025 who embody the excellence and voices of their schools. These students are considered to “personify excellence – be it academic performance, extracurricular involvement, or professional achievement.”
Powering Through Setbacks
According to Hannan, she always planned to attend graduate school, but like many working executives with children, the timing never seemed right. Motivated by the unexpected loss of her brother, her journey through breast cancer, and a deep-seated commitment to continual growth, she decided now was the time to enroll in the Executive MBA program.
“I have an unbreakable will to thrive, fueled by laughter, love, and grit,” says Hannan.
She also possesses excellent planning skills. On the same day as her son’s major soccer tournament, she had a final presentation to give in class. She made it work by presenting virtually and coordinating schedules with the other soccer parents.
“I attended all my son’s games and met all academic obligations without missing a beat,” says Hannan. “It was a masterclass in teamwork, planning, and perseverance.”
From Comfort to Challenge
Hannan says enrolling in the Executive MBA program was the first time in her career she “deliberately placed personal development and future potential ahead of familiarity and stability.”
This shows an impressive amount of courage; after two decades in a successful role at an established company, she stepped away from the comfort of that secure environment to pursue a new opportunity and enroll in the Executive MBA at the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.
“Taking that leap stands as the achievement I am most proud of. It required resilience, self-belief, and a willingness to embrace the unknown,” says Hannan.
Working full-time in a leadership role while raising two active boys, she still found time to give back to her community by holding leadership positions with Cub Scout Pack #171 and Dress for Success Pittsburgh. At her previous employer, she was the inaugural diversity and inclusion chair for the Pittsburgh market and served as community development chair for the Employee Business Resource Group.
Program Called a “Perfect Fit”
Enrolling in a completely online program wouldn’t work for Hannan. “I’ve tried online coursework in the past; I often found it difficult to stay engaged and didn’t gain as much value from the material,” which is why she valued the structure of the Executive MBA. The program is completed in sessions held one weekend per month for 19 months and includes experiential-based learning with a dynamic network of talented and experienced executives.
“The structure of the Executive MBA was a perfect fit,” says Hannan. “It allowed for meaningful interaction with a cohort of driven professionals, creating space for deeper dialogue and stronger relationships. I valued starting and finishing the program with the same group, building a network of trusted peers who have become both personal and professional allies.”
In her current role as vice president and senior wealth advisor at Huntington Private Bank, she plans to implement the leadership principles she learned in this program.
“Through Dr. Kim Abel’s Leadership course, I discovered that true leadership is rooted in personal values—not just adapting to others. This has influenced the way I approach leadership at work, ensuring I stay aligned with my own North Star,” says Hannan.
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