Great engineering happens when people feel seen and systems work in harmony. At Hanson, Mina Biggs, chief people officer, has spent the past three years turning that belief into everyday practice through clarity, inclusion and steady follow-through.
Biggs describes Hanson as an engineering consulting firm in motion. The firm strengthened recruiting, modernized processes and built pathways that carry interns into full-time roles with high retention. Managers gained simple, visible metrics while candidates experienced a consistent journey from first interview to project work. Learning expanded with targeted development, mentoring and community partnerships that open doors for students preparing to enter the profession. The result is a bench that grows deeper as capability rises.
The industry itself is shifting. Civil infrastructure now sits at the intersection of technology, sustainability and quality of life. Biggs treats this moment as a call to equip teams for change. Her roadmap emphasizes skills for data fluency, collaboration and leadership while honoring the craft that makes projects real. The plan is revisited monthly to measure momentum, address setbacks and keep attention on what matters most. Celebrating wins in public, telling the story of progress and inviting feedback have turned alignment into habit.
Culture is the engine. Biggs fosters psychological safety so colleagues can share ideas, raise concerns and solve problems together. Leaders model transparency and reinforce behaviors that build trust in remote and hybrid settings. Cross-functional sessions encourage curiosity while practical coaching turns lessons into action. People understand the why behind decisions, which keeps motivation steady and standards high. That ethic underpins her recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree and reflects a commitment to outcomes clients and communities can feel.
Asked which capability she would master instantly, Biggs points to artificial intelligence. Proficiency across AI tools would lift productivity, reduce manual errors and free time for strategic thinking. She also sees value in data-driven storytelling that helps diverse audiences grasp complex information quickly. In a field where details determine safety and cost, clearer insight delivered at the right moment improves choices across design and delivery.
Her own path has been shaped by a conviction that high performance and belonging are inseparable. Biggs champions dismantling barriers, building networks of support and creating space where every contributor can advance. The work has energized teams and strengthened unity around purpose. She is most proud when early career professionals gain confidence, when interns convert to employees and when partners note the difference a cohesive culture makes on a fast-moving assignment.
The next five years will demand agility. Biggs envisions a people system that remains practical and effective as markets change, with internal mobility, skill academies and coaching that prepare colleagues for new responsibilities. Hanson will continue to back innovation in the built environment while staying grounded in service. For Biggs the measure is straightforward. When talent thrives, collaboration improves and communities benefit, the enterprise is doing exactly what it set out to do.