Kerren Bergman, CEO of Hyde Engineering + Consulting, leads a global team of over 250 employees. In this engaging conversation, she shares her journey from starting as a Document Control Specialist to her current role. Kerren reflects on the importance of cultivating a supportive company culture and the transition to employee ownership. She emphasizes empowering problem-solving and creative thinking within her team, and discusses effective strategies for employee retention and growth, all driven by her commitment to an attitude of gratitude.
Kerren Bergman's journey from document control specialist to CEO illustrates the importance of versatility and seizing growth opportunities within an organization.
Her leadership emphasizes creating a supportive work environment where employee ideas are valued, fostering loyalty and enhancing overall performance.
Deep dives
The Journey to CEO
Karen Bergman's ascent to CEO of Hyde Engineering and Consulting showcases a remarkable career path rooted in versatility and determination. Starting her journey with the company as a document control specialist, she embraced various roles spanning from operations to human resources over nearly two decades. This broad experience allowed her to understand the intricacies of the business, enabling her to develop the necessary skills and insights for effective leadership. Karen’s transition to CEO ultimately reflected her willingness to learn and adapt, demonstrating that success often comes from seizing opportunities and continuously growing within an organization.
A Foundation in Education and Arts
Karen Bergman's upbringing in an academically focused household in Boulder, Colorado, profoundly influenced her career and leadership style. Surrounded by educators, she cultivated a passion for learning, which shaped her values regarding personal development and community engagement. Her initial inclination towards the arts and her educational journey led her to discover the value of hard work and adaptability. This solid grounding in diverse experiences has contributed to her empathetic approach to leadership and her recognition of the importance of fostering a supportive work environment.
Navigating Challenges and Growth
Throughout her tenure, Karen has faced numerous challenges, particularly during the onset of COVID-19, which drastically reshaped the consulting industry. She and her predecessor were committed to retaining all employees despite the turbulence, emphasizing their dedication to both staff welfare and organizational stability. The experience highlighted the significance of resilience and adaptability in leadership, as they navigated new remote working dynamics while maintaining team morale. Such crises reinforced her belief in a culture of accountability and collaboration, positioning the business to emerge stronger from adversity.
Empowering a Passionate Workforce
Karen attributes the success at Hyde Engineering to fostering strong relationships and a culture of shared passion among employees. She notes that creating an environment where employees are encouraged to voice their ideas and work collaboratively minimizes turnover and strengthens loyalty. This approach not only enhances employee satisfaction but also drives performance, as individuals find purpose in their contributions to the company’s mission. By emphasizing a supportive culture, Karen has nurtured an engaged workforce that is committed to excellence in their engineering services.
As CEO of Hyde Engineering + Consulting, Inc., Kerren Bergman leads a global engineering organization of more than 250 employees. Kerren began her career with Hyde in 1998 as the Document Control Specialist, advancing with the company in various roles of increasing responsibility. Her experience in nearly every aspect of the business including Operations, Business Development, Human Resources, Quality, Safety, and IT has been essential to understanding all of the moving parts of organizational oversight.
As a servant leader, Kerren guides Hyde by cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude.' She is driven, collaborative, passionate about people, and committed to the evolution of Hyde from a Founder-led to a 100% employee-owned organization. Kerren holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Education from the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Having raised two daughters as a single mother, Kerren is proud to support her team members who are navigating parenthood while growing their careers.
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