Don’t be in a rush. Be patient and learn all that you can at each stage in your career in order to make decisions from experience. That takes patience, and time, but it also earns you the respect of your peers.
Heather is originally from Latimer, Iowa and is a fourth-generation general contractor with her family’s business, The Henning Group. She is a mother, sister, daughter, wife, triathlon-finisher, dog mom, volunteer, Rotarian, board member for the Greater Naples YMCA, golfer, water skier and snow skier. She lives with her family in Naples, Fla.
As a fourth-generation builder, Heather joined The Henning Group in 1998 and worked her way up from project engineer to president. She oversees all aspects of the Florida division and also maintains strong ties to its Iowa operation. Her leadership and commitment to Henning Group and its philosophies have led to a long list of successful projects, as well as enduring relationships with clients.
Alex Driehaus
Heather Henning, CEO of The Henning Group and Greater Naples YMCA board member, poses for a portrait at Greater Naples YMCA in Naples on Thursday, December 3, 2020.
Heather is a Florida-licensed general contractor and holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa. She has served on the executive board of directors for the Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA), as well as the board of directors for the CBIA Foundation. In 2006, she earned the CBIA Presidential Award for Leadership. In 2009, the Florida Home Builders Association honored her with its Women of Distinction Award. That same year, The Henning Group was named one of the top women-led businesses in the state.
Passionate about philanthropy, Heather has also served on the board of directors for the Naples North Rotary Club since 2005 and was president from 2010 to 2011. She is a Paul Harris Fellow, earned the Distinguished Service Award in 2009, and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2014.
Who or what inspires you?
My daughters inspire me. I want to show them how to be responsible, successful and professional by using temperance, thoughtfulness and etiquette.
What is one quality that sets you apart from others in your field?
Integrity. We run our business with integrity in terms of fairness. It has to be equitable for us as the builder and for the customer. We also have integrity in terms of our employees. My employees tell me how much they love working for Henning because it’s a family business and we treat them like family.
Who mentored you or helped pave the way for you in your current position?
My father. In a male-dominated industry, he always treated me equally and set the bar the same as for anyone else. He was always fair and well-respected, and he paved the way for me to earn that same respect from my peers.
Was there ever a time in your career that you thought, “I can’t do this?” If so, what changed or what helped you push past that point?
No. There are four legs on every chair. It doesn’t function unless all four are there. If I know that I am not the strongest in a particular topic, I go collaborate with someone who is. The chair doesn’t work unless you have good people in all the places. You have to have a good team. I don’t think I ever thought I couldn’t do anything — when you surround yourself with good people and you trust your expertise, it makes things possible.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in both your professional and personal life?
At first, the lack of being able to socialize or collaborate in-person was a challenge. I think the mental stress of not knowing what is going to happen is hard for everyone. We are all doing the best we can and (working to) keep our employees employed with an ever-changing situation.
On a personal level, we just did it. We just got through it. There is no other choice.
Alex Driehaus
Heather Henning, CEO of The Henning Group and Greater Naples YMCA board member, poses for a portrait at Greater Naples YMCA in Naples on Thursday, December 3, 2020.
How do you feel you can help the next generation achieve what you have achieved — or more?
By teaching them patience and the value of time. Don’t be in a rush. Be patient and learn all that you can at each stage in your career in order to make decisions from experience. That takes patience, and time, but it also earns you the respect of your peers.
What do you see, or hope to see, as the future for women in your field or in other positions of power?
I see the future as one that is very positive. What I hope for young women today is that they lean in, have confidence and apply for that job. Learn and be open to learning from every opportunity that comes your way. Most of all, I hope that they believe in themselves — because before you can do it, you have to believe it. That’s the start of the ladder — seeing that first step in your mind before you even take it.