JESSICA HANNEMAN | Age: 31 Senior vice president, director of business relations

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

Anchorage, Alaska

Jessica Hanneman earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in communications from the University of Alaska Anchorage Honors College, where she graduated magna cum laude. She began her career at Marsh McLennan in 2015 as a sales professional. After serving as vice president, director of business relations, beginning in December 2019, she was named senior vice president, director of business relations, in April of this year.

What’s your top tip for working remotely?

To always stay energized. At Marsh & McLennan Agency we really encourage people to take a break during the day, maybe through lunch time, and to get out of the house and do something you enjoy.

What should the industry do to attract more young people to work in it?

The industry needs to be more motivational and inspirational about what we can do for companies. It’s such amazing careers, with unlimited opportunities. I also think we need to be more effective in our messaging toward college-age students.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I grew up living a traditional Alaska lifestyle, hunting and gathering almost everything we ate, and I am also a former Miss Alaska USA.

What’s one habit or hobby you adopted during the pandemic?

Yoga. Marsh McLennan Agency really encouraged us to stay active during the pandemic, so they hosted yoga classes twice a week. I actually participated in almost all of them, even when I was pregnant.

All-time favorite movie?

“The Notebook.” It’s a love story about people from different classes of society that were forbidden to be together. In the end, they manage to make it work.

What is your favorite meal?

Pad kee mao. It’s a Thai dish. I spent a month traveling through Thailand, and that’s my all-time favorite meal.