From Intern to Marketing Manager: Manon Hagen’s 3-Year Journey with Sierra Marketing

manon363
Oct 20
4 min read

This month, Manon Hagen celebrates her 3-year anniversary with Sierra Marketing.

Manon joined Sierra as a Marketing Intern in November 2022, shortly after completing her Master of Marketing. And what began as a friendship with one of Sierra’s team members quickly developed into an impressive professional journey…

“Manon’s growth has been nothing short of inspiring,” says Marion Di Benedetto, Sierra’s Founder and Managing Director. “From day one, Manon demonstrated strategic thinking, creativity, and management skills. Manon has played a key role in Sierra’s successes and the continued growth of our clients over the past 3 years.”

From a Friendship to a Thriving Career

Sometimes (most of the time), the best stories begin with a friendship.

Manon first heard about Sierra through her friend, Marion Wienclawski, Marketing Manager at Sierra, who mentioned that the team was recruiting.

“I had just finished my masters and was looking for an opportunity in marketing. I joined Sierra thanks to my beautiful friendship with Marion… and it turned into so much more,” Manon recalls.

From her first day, she felt at home. “The Marions were caring and welcoming, and I was trusted with real responsibilities right away. That helped me grow faster than I could have imagined.”

From Intern to Manager

What began as a short internship quickly developed into a full-time role. By February 2023, Manon became Marketing Coordinator, advancing to Marketing Manager in July 2024. Her progression reflects both her talent and her enthusiasm for strategy, client collaboration, and operational excellence.

“I still remember the first project I managed on my own. It gave me a sense of ownership and responsibility that now shapes how I approach every project,” she says.

Today, Manon oversees many of Sierra’s projects, including 4tomorrow, Landart, KB Seafood Co, WPNSW, & Legal, StairSteady, Archery Australia, and Errāticus.

Proud Projects and Defining Moments

Across the projects she worked on, a few stand out for Manon.

Breakthru College is a highlight: “It’s been extremely rewarding to see the client actively implement our strategies. Seeing the impact of our work and how it supports their growth makes me proud.”

Then there’s Landart: “Landart truly is my dream client; everything about them inspires me, from their attention to detail to their beautiful people. Being involved with this project from the very beginning has been incredibly fulfilling. I feel so connected to their story and can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Marion adds:

“Manon’s passion and genuine interest in her clients, her team mates and our business, how she builds relationships on trust and understanding; are what make her such a strong representative of Sierra and our values.”

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Manon’s journey at Sierra has been shaped by two key lessons:

1. Active listening is the key to success.

“Active listening isn’t just about hearing what clients say - it’s about interpreting their needs, reading between the lines, and sometimes challenging their assumptions to get to the best solution. This process of going beyond to truly understand our clients and their needs so we can craft strategies that align strongly with our clients’ business goals is where real value lies.”

2. A great strategy is nothing without great execution.

“A strategy can be brilliant on paper, but it only delivers if it’s brought to life effectively. Clear roles and accountabilities, agile processes, and ongoing alignment ensure that strategies don’t just become ideas - they become results. A strategy is a roadmap that provides direction, but it’s the execution that brings it to life. Even the most well-thought-out marketing strategies will fall flat if they’re not well implemented.”

Favourite Moments

For Manon, nothing beats the feeling of face-to-face collaboration - with clients and the Sierra team.

“In a world where so much happens online, those in-person meetings are really special to me. Meeting clients, brainstorming together, or celebrating wins, reminds me why I love what we do.”

She also values the trust Marion has placed in her, especially when managing parts of the business during Marion’s time away: “Sierra is Marion’s first baby… So being trusted to oversee things while she’s away means a lot to me. It’s helped me grow both professionally and personally, and it’s something I am very proud of. That level of trust and shared accountability is rare, and I am grateful for it.”

What Makes Sierra Special

When asked what makes Sierra stand out, Manon doesn’t hesitate: “Creating opportunities, collaborating, listening, and supporting each other, that’s what defines Sierra. We have a strong team that genuinely has each other’s back,” she says.

Sierra’s boutique structure means everyone contributes to shaping the agency’s culture and success. “We’re a small team with big ideas. Every project is a team effort, and every win is shared. Whether it’s a last-minute client challenge we overcome together or a new campaign that exceeds expectations, those moments of collaboration are part of what makes Sierra so special.”

It’s this mix of collaboration, bold ideas and trust that continues to drive Sierra forward, and that’s something Manon is deeply proud to be a part of.

Looking Ahead

As she looks to the future, Manon is filled with excitement and ambition: “More growth - for our clients, for Sierra, and for myself. That’s what drives me. Every project, every collaboration creates momentum, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.”

With Sierra expanding its footprint and continuing to deliver strategies for clients across the world, the road ahead looks bright and full of opportunities. For Manon, it’s about continuing to create impact and foster many more strong relationships at Sierra.

As Marion reflects: “Sierra has always been about people: the relationships we build, the ideas we bring to life together, the challenges we face together, and the shared drive to grow together. Manon fits right in!”