In the Haven with Hannah Matthy

Written & Interviewed By : Hannah Corbett

For as long as she can remember, Hannah Matthy has called Franklin, Massachusetts home. Even now, she’s surrounded by the familiarity that shaped her early years, the sense of community. But what makes Hannah’s story compelling isn’t where she’s from; it’s how she’s taken that foundation and built a career that blends creativity, empathy, and curiosity into something entirely her own.

After graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in psychology, Hannah stepped into the classroom, working one-on-one in social-emotional learning environments. “I worked with two first graders my first year, and I still look at pictures of them sometimes,” she recalls. “They were the cutest kids in the world.” The following year, she bonded with a fifth grader who quickly became her sidekick. “She told me I was her best friend — we ruled that school,” Hannah laughs.

Even while teaching, the pull of creativity was impossible to ignore. In college, she and her best friend Katie launched a clothing brand centered on mental health awareness, Kairo. Their line featured pieces inspired by self-expression and emotional well-being — a mission that resonated. We made like $200,000 in revenue in two years... we just didn’t want to do it anymore,” Hannah says. “The stress of it was way too much. I really appreciate all the small businesses that reach out to me or that I get to work with — it’s a lot behind the scenes of making it all work.” Running that brand was Hannah’s first real introduction to influencer marketing and the business of social media. She was fascinated by how brands and creators collaborated, how campaigns came together, and how community could form through content. With that brand they worked with creatos like Kennedy Eurich, Ana Stowell, Natalie Zacek. “That’s when I knew I wanted to work in influencer marketing,” she says. “I loved the creative side of it.”

But after two years teaching, Hannah decided to pivot. While still working full-time, she applied for an internship with Grail Talent, a boutique management agency.

“I became an intern for one of the managers and learned everything about the job,”

she says. By the end of the year, she knew she wanted to go full-time — and she did.

Today, Hannah is a senior talent manager, TikTok division lead and the mentorship director at Grail, building a roster of creators while overseeing brand campaigns and partnerships. “It’s kind of full circle,” she says. “I started by managing three or four girls while still at the school, and now I have my own roster and an upper management role.”

Her approach to management is deeply personal. “I’m really picky about the creators I work with,” she explains. “I want them to already be posting content that feels authentic and aligned. Consistency, a good vibe, a sense of style —

I look for people who make me excited to advocate for them.”

Hannah’s love of creating experiences extends beyond social media campaigns. Her love language, she says, is gift-giving — and it’s a thread that runs through her community-building efforts. “That’s why I love reaching out to brands or trying to give people stuff,” she says.

“It’s not about money — it’s about planning these things and seeing friends and followers enjoy them.”

One shining example was a Pilates event she hosted over the summer. Originally capped at 200 attendees, tickets sold out in just 15 minutes. “The first 15 people to sign up got a goodie bag with a Brumate and a bunch of brands I love,” she explains. “The goal is always to keep it affordable — your ticket is just to cover the space, nothing more. I’ve never made a profit off of any of it.” From coordinating brands to organizing the space, Hannah handled every detail with the same thoughtfulness she brings to her work with creators, ensuring that the experience felt personal and inviting. Even when a permit issue threw a wrench in the plan for the beach location, Hannah and her attendees didn’t let it derail the day — they made the most of it, enjoying the time together on the beach.

Having been both a creator and a manager, Hannah understands the nuances that make partnerships succeed. “Brands value the details,” she says. “Reading briefs carefully, delivering on time, checking your captions — all those little things matter. If a brand says the best they can offer is something, that’s usually all they can offer. It’s complicated, but that’s the reality behind the scenes.”

Even so, her passion hasn’t wavered.

“I just love it,” she says. “Helping creators grow, building connections, seeing people succeed doing what they love — and I get to do it in a way that feels true to who I am.”

Hannah is also paying that forward. Inspired by her own internship experience, she helped Grail establish their current program for interns. “I’m like a little success story,” she laughs. “I started as an intern, and now I get to mentor new ones. It’s full circle.”

From launching a mental health–focused clothing brand in college to guiding students in the classroom, building a roster of creators as a talent manager, and now creating content herself, Hannah has navigated a career defined by curiosity, creativity, and heart. Every step has been connected by the same thread: a desire to make an impact and foster community. And even as she thrives in the fast-paced world of social media, she admits that her first love will always be teaching. Sometimes the detours lead you to where you’re supposed to be, and for Hannah, every step has been a part of the journey to a career that’s as personal as it is creative.