Heather Hilgers is the co-founder and CEO of Hilgers PLLC.
Who has inspired you?
The women at my law firm inspire me each day. They each attempt to do it all and have it all in their own individual ways but have also taught me that you can’t have everything all at once. Finding balance and drawing boundaries have been key for me as a professional and as a working mother. I have been inspired by my colleagues to find ways to do this each day.
What book or podcast is currently inspiring you?
"Radical Candor" and "No Rules Rules" are two books that have inspired my leadership approach and business strategy, but I am an avid fiction reader. I am drawn mostly to literary fiction. One of my favorite books that I read recently is called "The Correspondent." The writing and character building in that book are fantastic. For podcasts, my favorite is "The Rest Is History." We can always learn from and be inspired by historical events!
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The Inspire Women’s Leadership platform launched Inspire Girls. What advice would you give them?
Don’t wait until you feel ready! You generally never feel ready. Confidence follows action, not the other way around. Be curious, ask questions, and try new things even when they feel uncomfortable. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Focus on learning, building skills, and developing good habits. Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice but about showing up, following through, and lifting others as you grow.
How can we better inspire, include, and invest in others in our community?
We start by paying attention and listening to other people’s perspectives. Investing in others means sharing knowledge, opening doors, and advocating for people when it matters. Small, consistent actions — checking in, offering guidance, and recognizing potential — can have a lasting impact on individuals and the broader community.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means taking responsibility, especially when things are difficult. It’s about setting a clear vision, making thoughtful decisions, and creating a culture where people feel respected, challenged, and supported. True leadership isn’t about control or titles but about trust, accountability, and helping others succeed.
What is your favorite inspirational quote or motto?
My favorite quote is from a children’s book called Iz & Norb:
“If the here where you are isn’t the where that you want, don’t sit where you are feeling glum on your bum. Get up and start working to change where you’re from. ’Cause the bruises and gooses can’t stop you from living the life that you choose, Iz.”
How would you describe a great day?
A great day starts with quiet gratitude and a hot cup of coffee, then getting something accomplished at work, having lunch with an old friend or a new contact, connecting with my husband and children in a meaningful way, and then curling up with a cup of hot tea and a great book at the end of the day.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
Try to become the best version of yourself each day. I do this by trying to do something for each part of myself each day — intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical. I try to remind myself, when working toward this goal, to focus on progress over perfection. Take a moment at the end of each day to reflect on what you DID accomplish vs. what you DIDN’T.
What’s the biggest challenge or adversity you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced has been navigating change and growth within my company while staying true to my personal values and the values embedded in my business. I have overcome it by grounding my decisions in a principled approach, surrounding myself with talented, trustworthy, and hard-working people, and remembering to stay grounded and calm in times of change or uncertainty
