Staff with Purpose and Passion: Hannah Carter

Medical School Senior Events Manager Hannah Carter brings collaboration, curiosity and careful planning to events that support Medical School students, families and colleagues.

Hannah Carter started her career with the University of Minnesota Medical School as an Events Manager. After two years in the role, she stepped into her current position as Senior Events Manager. In her current role, she manages logistics for institutional events such as new student orientation, White Coat ceremony, Match Day, and Commencement. Before joining the Medical School, Carter served as a Volunteer Support and Program Assistant with the local Girl Scout Council, supporting community volunteers and cross-functional teams across recruitment, retail, and cookie season. Drawing on those foundational experiences, she continues to pursue her passion for event planning.

Every day brings something new for Carter. Her role centers around full event lifecycles including the planning phase, immediate preparation phase, delivery phase, and the post phase.  On some days she balances administrative tasks, such as emails and word documents, with hands-on logistics, including on-site event set up and event coordination. As someone who thrives on variety, she enjoys this dynamic mix, finding satisfaction in moving from behind-the-scenes strategy to live event execution.

Carter continues to emphasize her enjoyment for event work and collaboration between other departments. “Being able to take this thing that I enjoy doing, take it off somebody else's plate, do it well, and free them up to focus on their area of expertise. I think that's what gets me motivated,” she says. She finds achievement in supporting her colleagues and creating events that drive engagement and successful outcomes. 

When reflecting on her proudest accomplishment with the Medical School, Carter refers to “The Care and Keeping of Your Medical Student,” a panel event she successfully piloted during her first year and has continued to build on since. Drawing on her background in volunteer support, she recognized how crucial guidance and reassurance are for families navigating major transitions. To make this event happen, she invites current medical students to nominate people from their own support systems. The panel offers guardians, parents, and loved ones knowledge about their student’s experiences and practical advice on communication and support during medical school. 

What she finds most rewarding is the event’s lasting impact on students and families. “I was really proud that this session, that was just an idea, continues to be a valuable resource.” Carter reflects. “I've had a couple panelists who've come back multiple times now, because they found it so useful when they first attended. It felt really good to be a part of something that truly addresses a need.” 

She highlights the unwavering support and strong collaboration within the Medical School community. “I think we're always striving for that collaborative environment to the best of our ability, and that shared goal feels really good.” 

At the heart of Carter’s approach is a strong recognition that events work is something that cannot be done alone. Understanding that success relies on community and teamwork, her ultimate piece of advice is to “Approach things with curiosity, and ask lots of questions. You will learn more about the people around you.”