Laura H. French, J.D.

Chairman | CEO

Laura was named Chairman of the Board of Henneman Engineering in 2016. She is the third generation of the Henneman family to serve as Chairman of the Board. In addition to her Board of Director role, Laura is CEO of the company. She provides leadership, management, and strategic direction for Henneman Engineering. Laura is proud to follow in her family’s footsteps to propagate the success of Henneman Engineering and to help its clients achieve their goals.

Laura received her B.S. in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010 where she studied advertising and political science and was a recipient of the Chancellor’s Achievement Scholarship. She went on to earn her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law where she was an active member of the nationally ranked Trial Advocacy Team, winning first place at the regional championship of the American Association of Justice Competition. In addition, she was on the Dean’s Honor List, served as treasurer of Chicago-Kent’s Women in Law Society, served as a teaching assistant for an Intensive Trial Advocacy course, and worked as an Assistant to The Honorable David A. Erickson. Following her graduation from law school, Laura practiced law at a Chicago litigation firm for seven years before stepping into her role at Henneman. 

Laura and her husband, Nate, live in Champaign, Illinois and are active participants in the community. Laura is a member of several organizations, including Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Executive Club of Champaign County, and Junior League of Champaign Urbana. 

In her free time, Ms. Henneman spends time with family and friends in both Champaign and Chicago, Illinois. She enjoys traveling, being active, and reading a good book.