Our Consultant Spotlight series lets us tell the stories of the people who make up the Lions & Tigers community. Hannah Seger took a less traditional path to consulting. With a background in psychology and music, it was her passion for forging human connections, combined with a passion for writing, editing, and detail, that brought her into the consulting world and the Lions & Tigers community.

ABOUT HANNAH

I grew up in southern California, where I fell in love with the ocean and outdoor adventures. When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time in Seattle, where my grandparents lived. After graduating from college in eastern Washington with a degree in psychology and a minor in music, I found my way to the Seattle area, which I now call home with my husband and our two dogs.

DOGS’ NAMES

Simmon is the white fluffy one, and Fela is the black one. Bonus nerd points to anyone who knows what book series their names are from!

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

I found my way to consulting in a pretty roundabout way. My background is in psychology and music, and I was planning on making a career in music therapy once I graduated from college. I bounced around for a while trying to find my calling, providing support for children and adults with special needs in a variety of settings. My passion for meeting people where they are at and figuring out what makes someone work at their best, combined with a passion for writing, editing, and detail, brought me into the consulting world.

WHAT DREW YOU TO MUSIC

I grew up in a very musical household and started taking piano lessons from a very early age. What really fascinates me about music, however, is what a powerful tool it can be. I interned at a music therapy center in high school where I saw “non-verbal” kids sing their first words because singing activates both halves of the brain, while speaking does not. I saw four teenagers with autism spectrum disorders form a band and learn rhythm, collaboration, and teamwork. And I’ve always been so curious to see what else music can do.

ANY MUSICAL TALENTS

I mostly sing, though I am passable on piano and guitar. I’m currently learning how to play the charango, which is a small, 12-stringed instrument from the Andean region.

CURRENT ROLE

After working at a consulting firm for a couple of years, working on various go-to-market plans, spearheading an editing program, and honing my project management skills, I found my way to Lions & Tigers, where I now get to split my time between editing, project management, and end-to-end project strategy.

WHY LIONS & TIGERS

After hearing about Lions & Tigers’ values, how passionate they are about living those values, and what an all-around amazing person Brea is, I knew I had to work for them. I was hooked by the idea of working at my “highest and best use,” and appreciated the flexibility in hours and location of work. It’s a company where I know that I can not only grow, but thrive, and that will be adaptable to my changes, both personally and professionally.

AREAS OF INTEREST & PASSIONS

In a work setting, one of my passions is working with words – especially editing. I love being able to take what someone wants to say and bring it to light. I have an odd fascination with style guides, and I like to apply my detail-oriented mindset towards helping people put their clearest voice forward. Another part of the job that I love is forging human connections and creating a relationship of trust with my clients.

Outside of work, I love hiking and landscape photography – two hobbies that go hand in hand for me. I really enjoy getting out on a weekend and exploring some of the amazing trails this area has to offer. I enjoy sewing – you may see my dress form Gertrude in the background of some of my zoom calls. Recently, I’ve been getting more involved in social justice activism and joined the board of a progressive nonprofit, where we work on campaigns such as immigrant justice and voting rights.

BEST HIKE IN THE NORTHWEST

Boulder Ridge Trail holds a special place in my heart, as it was an accidental discovery on our honeymoon. We decided to see what was at the end of this random forest service road we found and ended up on this beautiful, almost deserted trail, with magnificent views of Mount Baker at the end.

CURRENT OR NEXT SEWING PROJECT

I’m currently working on a linen pinafore to live out my cottagecore dreams this Spring!

BENEFIT OF HIGH IMPACT, FLEXIBLE WORK

I feel so lucky and so privileged to do high-impact, flexible work during this time of COVID-19. Being able to take care of myself and my family through the trials of this past year has been by far the greatest benefit. I have time to snuggle on the couch with my dogs in the evening, edit photos, and actually read books – while still having the energy to provide a safe space for our family that needed a home during COVID.

NEXT UP ON YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE LIST

I tend to stick with hiking for the most part, and we’re about to start converting our van into a camper for maximum camping and hiking possibilities. I’d like to get better at water sports – especially sailing and paddle boarding.

ADVICE TO OTHERS NAVIGATING CAREER TRANSITIONS

I think the biggest thing is to look at who you’re working with, not just what you’re doing. I never planned on being a consultant, but the people I have met along the way have made this job so rewarding.

BEST BOOK READ IN THE LAST YEAR

What a difficult question! I think I’d have to say Legendborn – it’s the kind of young adult book I wish I had when I was growing up. Strong, female characters of color, great queer representation, and a new take on the often white-washed fantasy genre.

Interested in joining Lions & Tigers?  Check out our open roles here.