Episode 346: Grace, Grit, and Growth: Leading with Heart and Humility

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about listening deeply, building trust, and having the courage to grow through challenges. In this episode, Carrie Hansen, President and COO of AssetMark, shares her remarkable journey from a field hockey scholarship at Berkeley to leading global operations, scaling teams, and shaping the culture of a $130B investment platform.

Carrie opens up about what it really means to lead with heart. She reflects on her early days navigating financial services, the pivotal leadership lessons she learned managing teams in Japan at 28, and how humility, discipline, and a deep belief in people have shaped her career. You’ll learn why failing fast is a strength, how to cultivate a high-performing team, and how authenticity builds lasting influence—no matter your title.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[01:20] Carrie Hansen's Career Journey
[02:41] Early Career Challenges and Lessons
[06:04] Leadership and Team Building
[06:52] Navigating Cultural Differences in Japan
[13:33] Balancing Confidence and Humility
[17:27] Decision Making and Risk Taking
[22:36] Staying Ahead in the Financial Industry
[24:14] Staying Informed and Learning Continuously
[25:35] Balancing Work and Personal Life
[28:45] Leading by Example
[33:05] The Power of Community and Relationships
[37:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts