Hannie was born in San Jose, Costa Rica but also spent part of her childhood in New York. She graduated with honors from the Universidad De Costa Rica with a degree in Fine Arts. Although her major was sculpture she was interested in all mediums, experimenting with ceramics, wood, metal, stone, textiles, mosaic, handmade paper just to mention a few.

Hannie has participated in many collective art shows as well as being accepted into the Costa Rican National "Biennial" on numerous occasions.

Together with her husband Leo Gotlibowski they created "Lugar del Espiral" to combine their talent as artists. They have worked together on many projects. They received high praise for their work for the Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Gold Museum where 8 life size human indigenous sculptures they made are on permanent display. They have recently moved with their son to Los Angeles to embark on a new life and creative career.