Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Hamway.
Hi Marisa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started volunteering with the Alliance for Women in Media Austin (AWM Austin) in 2020 because I wanted to do something that would empower women in our community and in my career field. I became President in 2025 and am now serving my second and final term. By day, I’m the Program Manager for FOX Television Stations, overseeing programming for the Austin and Seattle markets. I’m incredibly proud to serve on the AWM Austin Board because the organization has strengthened my connection to our community while also helping me grow as a leader.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance a demanding full-time career with the responsibilities of leading a nonprofit organization. AWM Austin is powered by volunteers, which means everyone is passionate and committed, but they also have careers, families, and other responsibilities competing for their time.
I’ve also had to learn that being a leader doesn’t mean doing everything yourself. Early on, I sometimes felt like if I wanted something done right, I needed to do it myself. Over time, I’ve learned the importance of trusting my team, delegating, setting boundaries, and allowing other people to bring their own strengths and ideas to the table.
There have certainly been difficult moments, but those challenges have ultimately helped me become a stronger and more confident leader. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, communicating clearly, making difficult decisions when necessary, and continuing to move forward even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
We’ve been impressed with Alliance for Women in Media Austin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AWM Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional organization for people working in media and allied fields. We proudly represent women and men working across all aspects of creating high-quality media and providing related services.
Our mission is to harness the promise, passion, and power of women in all forms of media to empower career development, engage in thought leadership, and drive positive change within our industry and society. Throughout the year, we host monthly luncheons, happy hours, networking events, and other opportunities that help Austin’s media community connect, learn, and grow together.
Since 2004, AWM Austin has proudly awarded scholarships to college students studying media or a related field at universities in Austin and the surrounding areas. At the end of each term, we also host a community-wide Gala that celebrates and honors media professionals while awarding a $5,000 scholarship to one local media student.
For me, AWM Austin is about so much more than professional networking. It’s about creating opportunities, building meaningful connections, lifting one another up, and helping the next generation of media professionals find their voice and their place in our industry.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest piece of advice is to stop thinking of networking as simply collecting contacts. The most meaningful professional relationships I’ve built have come from genuinely getting to know people, finding common ground, and looking for ways to support one another.
I also believe mentors don’t always have to be someone you formally ask to be your mentor. Some of the best mentors in my life are people I’ve learned from simply by watching how they lead, asking questions, and staying connected with them over time. Be curious, be willing to learn, and don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you admire.
Volunteering has also been incredibly valuable for me. I joined AWM Austin because I wanted to give back and empower women in my community, but along the way, I built relationships with people I never would have met through my day job. When you volunteer for something you genuinely care about, networking feels much more natural because you’re building relationships around a shared purpose.
And finally, I think it’s important to remember that networking isn’t just about what someone can do for you. The strongest relationships are reciprocal. Ask yourself, “How can I help this person?” just as often as you ask, “How can this person help me?” That mindset has made a huge difference in the way I approach relationships throughout my career.
Pricing:
- $60 Annual Membership – https://awmaustin.org/join
Contact Info:
- Website: https://awmaustin.org/index.php
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awmatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinAWM/
- LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/alliance-for-women-in-media-austin
