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Hannah (Shaner) Olsen '13 helped anchor a pair of Presidents' Athletic Conference title teams (2009 and 2010) for the W&J women's soccer program. A mainstay in the starting lineup for the defensive unit, she was a four-year starter for the Presidents. W&J compiled a 50-25-5 overall record during her tenure with the team. The Presidents put together a stellar 26-6-2 conference mark and a 28-8-3 record at Alexandre Stadium from 2009 through 2012. She earned All-PAC honors in both 2011 and 2012.

Name: Hannah (Shaner) Olsen

Class Year: 2013

Sport(s) Played at W&J: Soccer (4 years), Lacrosse (Senior year)

Major(s) at W&J: Business Administration, Psychology

Current Job Title & Employer:
Director of Business Development - Flynn Construction
Board Member - Pittsburgh Soccer in the Community

Brief description of job duties/responsibilities: Opportunity identification and sourcing, relationship management and marketing for a national general contractor construction management firm at Flynn Construction.

As a board member of Pittsburgh Soccer in the Community, I help the organization in our mission to help provide positive social and developmental experiences for the youth in underserved areas of Pittsburgh. We provide opportunities for free, quality soccer programs as well as an affordable adult league so that Pittsburghers of all backgrounds and cultures can create community, become integrated, and develop lifelong relationships.

Current level of education: Bachelors of Arts 

Career path following W&J: I worked as a marketing coordinator for Scalo Inc. before taking on a job as the Office Manager / Chief of Staff for a former State Representative. I spent time working as a Senior Analyst at BNY Mellon before finding my love for Business Development at Gateway Financial, a life insurance advisory firm in downtown Pittsburgh. I spent a short amount of time in private equity and realized my life's ambitions required a different career path. I am happy to have found the team at Flynn Construction which allows me to take on the role within the board of directors at PSC as well as focus on launching my own business, Aycho Melange, LLC., where I am pursuing and sharing my various creative passions.

Summarize your experience at W&J: My W&J experience was busy! It was full of all-nighters to finish a project, prepare for a final or learn my sorority's Greek Sing dance (sometime concurrently!). It was walks to The Commons for Sunday Brunch with my closest friends. It was gaining invaluable experience in learning my limits as well as my ability to extend those limits. I immersed myself in as many groups and experiences as I could, and have a wonderful diverse group of friends because of it. I had countless psychology and business professors lend me advice, resources and extra time outside of class to talk through concepts, recommendations and life after college. I had the great fortune to be coached off the field by the likes of Dr. Cavoti, Dr. Klitz, Dr. Litchfield and Dr. Gregor (and honestly many, many more!) on continuous improvement and who challenged me every class. It was never easy to succeed at W&J, but I knew I always had the support necessary to do so.

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: Contributing to our PAC Championship victory over Grove City as a freshman (in 2009). It was the most exciting moment of my life that that point and a feeling that is not often replicated. Having the privilege to play as a freshman with so many other skilled and talented players was truly unforgettable.

Notable athletic and academic accomplishments during college: PAC Championship titles – (2009 and 2010), Soccer Captain - 3 years, Defensive record (with my fellow back-line and goalkeeper) for least amount of goals allowed in a season, Recipient of Human Resource Management Scholarship (completed concentration), graduated with honors.

Extra-curricular activities at W&J (outside of athletics): I was a member of Delta Gamma, served as the VP and President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (both on campus and of the Presidents' Athletic Conference) and I was also a member of W&J's Gay-Straight Alliance.

Athletic accomplishments since graduation: I still play in various recreational co-Ed leagues around the city. I consider it a huge accomplishment to be able to continue playing and sharing the game I love with old and new friends even as a post grad!

What went into your decision to attend W&J? W&J has a reputation that precedes itself, but what made the difference for me was the culture on campus. I visited several schools as a soccer recruit, and it was extremely apparent when I was with W&J's team that they were driven, ambitious women that genuinely cared for each other and the program. I also was able to meet with several professors (including Dr. Klitz who would later become my team's advisor and friend), who made it apparent that my academic and athletic ambitions would be supported. I wanted to attend a college full of people that would encourage me to become a better person, and that is exactly what I found at W&J!

What advice would you give current W&J student-athletes? Take advantage of every moment you have as a student athlete - even the ones you dread. There's not much I wouldn't trade to be able to run another one of Coach Curtis' "Magic Squares" during summer conditioning with my teammates. The trials student-athletes go through uniquely prepare us for life after school. Take your competitive drive that compels you on the field and apply it to every endeavor you pursue; your major, your hobbies, your relationships. My last word of advice is to never stop playing and never stop challenging yourself to do better!

Any additional information you would like to add?  I would love to provide more information about the goals and work of Pittsburgh Soccer in the Community and the difference we strive to make in the immigrant and underserved communities of Pittsburgh. In addition to many lifelong friendships made through my sorority and soccer team, I also met my husband (Chris Olsen '11 who is now a VP in PNC's Corporate Banking Department) at W&J (although I never realized it at the time). We met briefly as collegiate and reconnected a few years after I graduated (playing pick-up soccer), and have now been married for 3.5 years! Chris' grandfather, Jack Olsen, also graduated from W&J (in 1960).



(Hannah (Shaner) Olsen with Alex Findlay & Shannon McCray (fellow team captains) after winning the 2010 PAC Tournament Championship)


(2010 W&J Women's Soccer - PAC Champions)


(Hannah (Shaner) Olsen celebrating Homecoming 2019 with her Psychology advisor, Dr. Cavoti)


(Hannah (Shaner) Olsen with former Head Coach Pete Curtis and Dawn Murphy) 


(Hannah (Shaner) Olsen with W&J soccer alumni members at a pick-up game during a past Homecoming weekend. Also present from her class were Chrissy Marcius '13, Emma Donahey '13 and Lauren Reynolds '13 along with former women's head coach Pete Curtis and current men's head coach Ian McDonald.)