School of Business–Camden alumna has a passion for helping businesswomen succeed
Hannah DeMaio RSBC’13 has never been intimidated by the challenges of being a woman in business. She grew up watching the women closest to her navigate those same challenges.
“My mom was the head of finance for a hospital, and my aunt was the CEO of a nonprofit organization, and that was incredibly inspiring to me,” said DeMaio. “They were my real-life examples of women achieving at a high level in the business world."
DeMaio is vice president of brand strategy for Women Leading Travel & Hospitality, a trade organization for women in executive positions in the travel and leisure industry. The organization provides its members with educational events, networking opportunities, industry news, and other opportunities for professional development.
Organizations that champion women in the workplace continue to be essential. A 2023 report on women in the workplace from global consulting firm McKinsey found that while women represent 48% of individuals in entry-level positions, they make up only 28% of employees in the C-suite. Of that number, only 6% are women of color.
"When you get to the top, it can be very lonely," DeMaio said. "Women often have a nonlinear career path, and finding others who can relate and understand your journey can be hard." She emphasized that allowing professional women to connect and collaborate can help them overcome the various challenges they face daily, from outright discrimination to issues of unconscious bias, microaggressions, and imposter syndrome.
As an alumna and supporter of Rutgers School of Business–Camden, DeMaio looks to bring her enthusiasm for supporting women in business to campus as well, connecting with and guiding students as they complete their education and enter the work world.
Inspiring women at the very start of their career is as important as supporting women who are more tenured. A 2022 LinkedIn survey found that while seven in ten women said that a female role model demonstrated what women can achieve despite societal barriers, more than half said there continues to be a lack of relatable role models in the workplace.
“When you are just starting out, it can be difficult to navigate your choices," said DeMaio. "Finding leaders, mentors, and allies who support and embrace what you hope to do is critical." She encourages students to begin building their network early in their careers and include a wide variety of people, not just people from their workplace or industry.
Above all, she urges young women to stay true to themselves and know they can be successful and authentic. "Find a workplace that fits your values because, at the end of the day, living by your values is what brings you meaning and joy,” said DeMaio. “Keep that light inside of you shining.”
