Skip to content

About

Brand and Marketing Leadership That Starts With Your People.

I turn who your company is into the reason the right people choose you, inside and out, with 20 years of brand, communications and marketing leadership behind every engagement.

Summer Hagens, founder of Authentically 23

Summer Hagens

Founder, Authentically 23

LinkedIn

A Note From Me

My favorite moment in this work is when a team finally agrees on who they are. It rarely starts in the boardroom. I listen to employees as closely as leaders and customers, because the people doing the work every day often know the brand best, and when they help shape it, they carry it.

That's where the results come from. I've seen it in teams that stayed through big change, clients who renewed and customers who were quicker to recommend us. Behind every one of those numbers is someone on the front line realizing their work is part of something bigger, and starting to show up that way.

That’s why I started Authentically 23, to help more companies get there, from the CEO to the newest hire.

If you're ready for your brand to feel as good as the business you've built, I'd love to hear where you want to take it.

Summer Hagens · Founder, Authentically 23

23

Why 23?

Every person carries 23 pairs of chromosomes. Same number for all of us, and yet no two people come out the same. Businesses are the same way. Each one has a combination of purpose, values and lived experience no competitor can copy.

That's why I named my company Authentically 23. My work is revealing what's already there, and helping the world see it.

My Path

Where I've Been.

I've spent 20 years in brand and marketing, mostly from the inside. I've built marketing functions from scratch, guided a company through 16 acquisitions and led a professional services firm through its first real rebrand.

I've worked for start-ups and for companies with 20+ locations, across:

Manufacturing Healthcare Pharmacy Professional services

Off the Clock

I'm a Wisconsin native and proud of my roots. My six kids, all young adults now, are my greatest joy and my life's best work. When I'm not working, you'll usually find me cooking for family and friends.

90%

employee retention, up from 117% churn

750%

more inbound leads

18%

more customers who'd recommend the company

90%

above sales targets, two years running

Results from roles in healthcare, professional services and pharmacy.

Let's Talk About What's Next.

Book a time that works for you, or send me a note if that's easier. We'll figure out the right first step together.

No pressure, no pitch. In 30 minutes, you'll leave with a clearer sense of what's holding your brand back and where to start, whether or not we work together.