“My leadership philosophy is rooted in trust and consistency. I believe success comes from truly caring for others, communicating with transparency during complex challenges, and being a dependable partner. Leaders must embrace technological tools while anchoring everything in genuine human connection.”

Hannah O’Donnell, vice president of sales at GreatAmerica Financial Services, was drawn to the equipment finance industry because it is fundamentally a relationship business. For O’Donnell, the work provides visible, tangible impact, allowing her to bridge the gap between a customer’s business needs and their long-term growth objectives. While she initially entered the field assuming success was primarily a function of technical knowledge, her perspective has shifted significantly over time. Influenced by GreatAmerica’s founder, Tony Golobic, she now adheres to the belief that “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” prioritizing empathy, trust, and clarity as the true differentiators in a crowded marketplace.

The most transformative period of the past 12–18 months for O’Donnell was becoming a mother to her daughter, Lucy. This milestone stretched her professionally and personally, fundamentally reshaping her approach to pressure, management and strategic prioritization. It reinforced her commitment to leading with authenticity and maintaining a clear perspective on what matters most.

As a leader, O’Donnell emphasizes that reputation is an asset that travels faster than any resume. She advocates for a style of leadership that is straightforward and dependable, especially when navigating complicated business situations. Looking forward, she urges the industry to be intentional with leadership development. She believes the next wave of leaders must be highly proficient with digital tools — such as CRM enhancements and analytics — but must never let their social skills slide. For O’Donnell, technology drives efficiency, but human connection creates credibility and lasting trust.