When Mina Biggs started her career with Hanson Professional Service Inc. as the chief people officer, she knew she wanted to help the company earn a ranking in the top 10 of best places to work in Illinois. Within two years, the company was ranked number 17. Biggs made some changes, adapted and made sure others saw the positive impact the firm was making. By 2018, Hanson was in the top 10 of best places to work, ultimately ranking No. 2. In addition, the company, under Biggs’ guidance, has ranked in the top 5 best places to work in Florida.
Hanson Professional Service Inc. is an employee-owned consulting firm that provides engineering, planning, and allied services for clients and projects worldwide.
Early in her career, Biggs worked in Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies and launched her own business before taking on her current role at Hanson Professional Service. In her position, she has transformed the human resources function, leading her team through improvements and policy changes to positively impact the overall business. Under her leadership, human resources has transformed from traditional, paper-heavy operations to drivers of change, utilizers of technology and nurturers of the company culture.
“Her unique ability to articulate a vision, drive action and deliver results is what makes her the transformative leader she is today,” said her staff. “Her self-awareness, compassion and integrity are what inspires those around her to be part of the transformation.”
As a change agent, Biggs participates in speaking events on a national level and within the A/E industry. She was selected by the American Council of Engineering Companies to participate in a diversity and inclusion working group to build a roadmap helping firms execute their goals. She has also built an award-winning internship program and introduced leadership development initiatives at Hanson Professional Service.
The leadership development initiative allows participants to take what they’ve learned or were inspired by and apply it going forward to positively impact others, said Biggs. “Bringing leaders together from offices spread across the country for the chance to collaborate, break down barriers and support one another is energizing and profound,” she said.
Successful leadership involves demonstrating integrity in everything you do, said Biggs. “Successful leaders must demonstrate passion for their role, their team, and the organization, and be able to challenge their staff to achieve results,” she said. “Having empathy, being self-aware, having influence, being a creative problem-solver, having courage and demonstrating gratitude are what make successful leaders extraordinary leaders.”
