Mimi Hahn’s 35 year career at the Monterey Bay Aquarium saw her rise from the public relations secretary to chief marketing officer. In her 17 years in public relations she managed the broadcast media for the world-renowned aquarium working with national and international film and television crews. She also served on the communications and marketing committees for the US Travel Association and Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
She went on to lead a 33-person marketing team that included the marketing, advertising, sales and events, strategic engagement, PR and community relations departments. She managed the Aquarium’s predictive market research and was responsible for brand management and setting admission pricing and attendance projections. She managed highly successful, award-winning marketing campaigns – some of which garnered national media coverage including the New York Times for their innovation.
She’s been a lifelong volunteer – something instilled in her by her parents. When she first moved to Monterey, she was a member of the Junior League of Monterey County. Her local board service has included the Monterey County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (now See Monterey) and the Monterey Jazz Festival. She currently serves as chair of the Big Sur Marathon Foundation Board (she’s completed the Big Sur International Marathon and Boston Marathons six times each and Boston-to-Big Sur four times) and vice chair of the Montage Health Board.
Mimi is a fifth generation Californian and grew up in Pasadena. She earned a BA in communication from Stanford. She lives in Salinas with her husband Larry. When she’s not volunteering, she juggles too many hobbies including gardening, birding, hiking, running, disc golf, pickleball, watercolor, cooking and baking.
