Hannah Lane is this quarter’s student spotlight. We’re excited to share her school and career journey and how it fits into the many other joys and passions in her life.
Can you share your journey so far to get to grad school?
I have taken the most non-linear approach possible to my career. Once upon a time, I aspired to be a dentist. I attended Creighton University in Omaha because it offers a fantastic undergraduate program and superb dental school. As it turns out, dentists are typically outstanding students of science and have no problem with the sight of blood. I check neither of those boxes. “No problem,” I thought to my 19-year-old-self, “I will still need to run my dental practice, and I’ll just build a tolerance to oral surgery.” So, I majored in accounting and finance, taking only the required science courses (barely eking by with passing grades). I applied to dental school after graduation and, shocker, did not get accepted.
While I wrestled with what to do next, I figured I’d try using my degrees and went to work in public accounting. I learned an incredible amount in my time at CliftonLarsonAllen but still didn’t feel like public accounting was quite the right fit. I pivoted into real estate, working for Ascentia Real Estate, a company that owns and operates mobile home communities around the United States. It is a smaller company, so I was lucky enough to work in accounting, operations, marketings, sales, acquisitions and construction. Turns out, I thoroughly enjoy being a generalist working in multiple departments—good thing the whole dental school thing didn’t work out. Somewhere in my time at Ascentia, I discovered the REBE master’s program and started taking courses. Given the option, I would stay in the REBE program forever. Every quarter, I look through the course offerings or read the Burns newsletter and discover something new that sounds interesting or an opportunity for experiential learning. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing learning community.
What brought you Daniels and the Burns School?
A very small world actually! I am a high school volleyball coach and off-handedly commented about a career change and furthering my education to some of the team parents. I said I liked real estate and was considering a master’s in economics. One parent (a DU employee) excitedly told me about the real estate and construction management program at DU and I was sold. I spoke with several more DU staff members and students and that sealed the deal!
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a huge sports fan. Volleyball is top of the chart to play, watch and coach, followed closely by football and basketball. Put me in a stadium, arena, sports bar or even just in front of a TV and I turn into a maniac. Truth be told, I am hyper competitive about most things to the point where board games like MadGab are now outlawed in my family. When I’m not being competitive, a favorite pastime is sitting around a fire pit with scotch, cigars and deep conversation.
What has been your greatest challenge and lessons learned?
Over the past few years, I’ve learned to pursue a career that brings me joy, rather than one I feel expected to follow or think others want me to pursue. I continue to be reminded that change is hard but, usually, with difficult endings come awesome, bright new beginnings.
The greatest challenge I face in the current phase of life is time. Phew, there is never enough of it to do all the fun things. My challenge is learning to say yes to what matters and no to everything else. Thankfully, I have two young children and a rockstar husband who are excellent coaches and reminders of what matters when choosing how to spend time.
How does a REBE degree fit into your life’s plans?
In the REBE program, I discovered that I love to create. What’s even more fun is creating something I can see in the community around me. I plan to work in development, focusing on commercial in-fill projects, adaptive reuse, and the residential housing market. Thanks to spectacular DU-hosted panels and graduate team competitions, I also intend to be more active in the local building associations like NAIOP, HBA and NAHB.
In your free time what do you like to do?
Oh, everything (see above about with my struggle with time). I love spending time with my husband, kids, parents, siblings and friends. I love to coach high school volleyball and have been the head coach at Heritage High School for the past eight years. As a family, we love to travel and go on “Saturday Adventures” like walking to DQ or having tea parties. We are diehard Nebraska and Creighton fans so love cheering on the Huskers and Blue Jays any chance we get. When I have a moment where a toddler is not trying to break into the bathroom or stick bobby-pins in electrical sockets, I love to read and exercise.