Marion Martin (Essential 30 – 2009) is an active alumna. She has served on the Board of Directors and is a regular attendee at Leadership Austin events. We feel like we know her pretty well.
She proved us wrong, however, when she shared this post on LinkedIn after the Welcome Reception for the new Emerge and Essential cohorts last month. To our surprise, a member of Emerge 13 – 2020 is her daughter, Dana Hansen!
We invited Marion and Dana to share the story of what is now a second generation family tradition of Leadership Austin participation.
Marion’s Story
How were you introduced to Leadership Austin?
As a newcomer to Austin in December 2006, it quickly became clear that Leadership Austin was the common thread among those I was seeking to connect and network with. Participating in Experience Austin in 2007 helped fast track my understanding of my new hometown and see where I could find my place. As I waited to meet the residency requirements in order to apply for Essential, I volunteered for Best Party Ever and served on committees. I will never forget the sight of the envelope in the mailbox with the news that I had been accepted to the 2009 Essential Class. That was a very happy day and the start of a journey that would change my life in Austin.
How did your experience in Essential impact you?
Being part of Essential turned out to be very much a personal journey for me. I knew that what I would learn would help me in my work, and undoubtedly it did. However, what started at the opening retreat and continued throughout the entire class year, was more about discovering and uncovering the leader who was already inside me. I had a preconceived notion of what a real leader was like, and I wanted to learn how to be that leader. Instead, through Essential, I realized that leaders can look just like me and approach leadership with all manner of styles and traits. The chance to nurture and develop the leader I already was had a profound impact on me and gave me confidence and courage that I carry with me every day.
What advice would you give Dana as she goes through Emerge?
You are now part of the Leadership Austin alumni community – take full advantage and give back. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. Be proud of what you bring to the group and be present. Make time to do all the Walk and Talks because those will help you build lasting bonds and connections. Most of all, open your heart and mind to what you learn about yourself and how you want to make your mark, and let that wisdom carry you forward.
Dana’s Story
What, if anything, do you remember from when your mom was going through Essential?
What I remember most are the strong bonds she developed with her classmates. It was clear that she felt part of a community in a way that she hadn’t since moving to Austin a few years before she was in the program. What I didn’t realize then, that I see so clearly now, is that it gave her the confidence to know that she didn’t have to change who she was or fit into a certain set of characteristics to be a great leader. She had everything she needed to be one – she just didn’t know it yet!
What motivated you to apply for a Leadership Austin program?
This was my second time applying for Emerge. I say that so others who have applied and not yet been accepted are encouraged to apply again. It’s true when they say you get into the class that’s right for you!
I am at a point in my professional life when I am wondering where to go all in. I have been developing a career in a specific field while trying to also be involved in the community, but I want to be more intentional about the direction I’m headed. I think we tend to focus so much on moving up in our career that we don’t slow down enough to explore how we can use our unique combination of values, talents, and experience to carve out our own path.
Your mom is an Essential alumna. What made you choose Emerge instead of Essential?
A couple years ago, before the first time I applied for the program, I attended one of the info session happy hours. At the event I had the chance to speak with alums of both the Essential and Emerge programs about their experiences. From those conversations and what was shared by the Leadership Austin staff, I decide that Emerge was the right fit for me. At this stage in my professional and personal life, I wanted to focus on identifying my core values, developing my leadership style and understanding how to apply those to make a difference in the community.
What do you hope to get out of your Emerge experience?
I hope to connect with folks I might not otherwise meet and build a community of people who, like me, are committed to learning, contributing to the community, and supporting others in their development. I, like my mom, want to explore my own unique leadership style and learn how to leverage my skills and talents to create a meaningful, rewarding career. After just two sessions, I know that I will definitely get these things, and so much more from the program!
Marion is the Executive Director of Texas Mamma Jamma Ride.
Dana is the Communication Manager at Downtown Austin Alliance.
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