What a great story to share on #InternationalWomensDay!
After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in finance and master’s in public administration, Christine (Chris) Hoagland worked in public finance and became an Assistant Budget Director in Chicago, helping former mayor Richard M. Daley’s office preside over the city’s development boom. “Mr. Daley believed that leaders who understood numbers could manage almost anything,” she said. “That gave me the confidence to take the role of the Deputy Chief of Staff position at Chicago Public Schools following a few years in leadership roles in that agency’s budget office.” Three years later, Chris made her industry debut, managing construction projects with the Chicago Transit Authority, where she developed an interest in Program Management. "Project timing from both funding and bidding standpoints, evaluating priorities to support efficiency, and keeping the client and public top of mind are all critical,” she said. “Being able to optimize those processes on largescale projects has been the highlight of my career.” Eventually, Chris found herself managing complex engineering and construction projects for the School District of Philadelphia as its VP of Capital Programs. She’d transition to the private sector shortly after. At that point, Chris regularly oversaw multibillion-dollar programs, most notably, the Illinois Tollway, a comprehensive infrastructure program with hundreds of active projects at all times. “My responsibilities encompassed coordinating diverse teams, navigating complex funding landscapes, and ensuring the seamless integration of multiple teams supporting the client,” she said. Today, Chris is the Senior VP of Operations in Atlas’ Chicago Office. Reflecting on her stellar journey, she’s thankful for never turning down the opportunities to do good and contribute. “I feel honored to have been involved in so many large public initiatives,” she said. “By being open to paths and choices that weren’t necessarily linear, I have had an amazing career working with the best people, the best clients and the coolest projects.” She calls aspiring industry women to remember: “Be open—don’t set a career path and be afraid to vary from it. Evaluate each opportunity for what you can learn and don’t be afraid to step BIG and push yourself.” Chris’s commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond Atlas. She’s the Founder and Board President of Healing Hearts Hooves & Paws Rescue, an animal welfare non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates horses. #WICWeek #WomenInConstruction #LeadHerShip #AEC
Licensed Professional Chemical Engineer (Alabama, Florida, & Georgia), Florida State Licensed General Contractor and Pollutant Storage Systems Contractor
7moPerseverance and hard work are the two key components to success in anything we do. Whether building bridges or going to moon, it always pays off 🙂