McKimmon Center, NC State University, Raleigh, NC

CEO, Hempress Hygienics

Biography

Marilyn Austin is the CEO and co-founder of Hempress Hygienics the first hemp-based period and personal care company. Marilyn helped start Hempress in 2019 while attending college at Oregon State University where she double majored in economics and business management and participated in many university organizations and accelerator programs. She was a finance intern at TD Ameritrade and upon college graduation she accepted a position with Bank of America in wealth management while continuing to bootstrap Hempress. At Bank of America she worked within the largest wealth management team in San Diego with over $1.6B AUM and became a fully licensed advisor achieving her Series 7 and Series 66 designations. Marilyn decided to leave finance and went on to become Director of Business Development for Climate Transformed a platform focused on providing data, insights, and events around climate investment narratives. In 2023 Marilyn facilitated a partnership to a publicly traded company located in the EU and maintains the position of CEO. Hempress officially launched in August of 2023 with the first hemp based period and personal care line. Hempress is now available nationwide in over 650 locations and in stores like HEB, Lassens, Earth Fare, Central Market, Lazy Acres, and many more as well as the Hempress site and Amazon. Marilyn and the rest of the Hempress team have huge plans for 2025 and beyond including exciting product and retail expansions.