Product All-Star: 6 questions with Hailey Huggins

Building products is an adventure. That is what makes it the best job in the world. But this role is not for everyone — true product success requires decisive action, continuous effort, and the relentless pursuit of value.

We have the honor of being connected to companies and product experts who go boldly and bravely. And we are asking folks to share their knowledge with you in the hopes it will inspire you in your own product career.

Hailey Huggins is a project leader within the corporate office at Edward Jones. She began her career as a business analyst in product operations and transitioned into project management in the Edward Jones digital, data, and operations division. Hailey is based in Melbourne, Florida, and she manages multiple technology initiatives in her role: tracking progress, maintaining reporting dashboards, and helping teams address blockers as they arise. Hailey is also integral to annual planning, where she navigates project prioritization and leads trade-off discussions.

Outside of work, Hailey adores her cat, Millie, and loves spending time outdoors — especially at her local beach.

Keep on reading for Hailey's thoughts on all things product building:

What was your first product role?

I got my start as a business analyst at Edward Jones — not directly on a product team, but with the team that oversees our product management tools. Aha! Roadmaps was one of those tools, and this is where I first learned to use it to support internal workflows and improve team coordination.

As an Aha! administrator, I learned the software inside and out, from building detailed reports to creating custom solutions for more efficient data analysis. This experience taught me more than just software skills; it gave me the confidence to propose new reports and processes that streamline work for our teams.

That foundation was invaluable for my transition to becoming a project leader, as I now help coordinate some of our largest digital projects across multiple product teams. Having a thorough understanding of tools like Aha! Roadmaps helps me enable our product teammates to work efficiently with solutions that truly fit their needs.

What are the most important traits for a project leader?

You need to have the courage to bring your ideas to the table, no matter how big or small. It can be daunting, especially if the team does not immediately see your perspective. But having faith in your own expertise and putting your ideas forward is often what leads to breakthrough solutions for complex problems.

Creating a space where teammates feel comfortable sharing their thoughts is equally important. As a younger woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, I have worked to build a reputation as someone who is reliable and knowledgeable. This experience has made me even more determined to help others gain the knowledge and confidence they need to contribute meaningfully.

The most successful product leaders that I have worked with create a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to make an impact.

Being a good listener and mediator, especially when opinions differ, goes a long way toward fostering that inclusive environment. As a product leader, you have to be able to step back from any immediate problem, assess the situation, and help the team focus on the next steps toward its goals.

Objectively guiding the team forward — even in challenging discussions — is how you build trust and ensure strong collaboration.

What do you recommend not doing when starting a project management career?

Avoid jumping into the first or easiest solution. It might seem like the quickest path forward, but it is important to fully understand the scope and impact of the problem before deciding how to solve it.

When you settle for the first idea that comes to mind, you might limit your creative ability to develop something even better.

I have seen this happen with teams that focus on getting things done quickly — sometimes, they are too eager to check a task off the list. Even though it can feel good to move fast, I always encourage people to pause and consider whether their approach is the best one. Does it align with the broader strategy? Does it support what the team is trying to achieve? Taking a few extra minutes to assess whether the solution truly fits the problem can make a big difference in the long run.

How do you stay motivated when complex challenges arise in project management?

I stay motivated by surrounding myself with people I can trust and rely on. They make the workplace enjoyable, bring fresh perspectives, and remind me of our shared vision for the future.

Building a supportive group like this does not happen overnight. It is about finding teammates who genuinely value collaboration and fostering mutual respect. I am fortunate to work with a team that empowers me to make my own decisions and take an active role in projects.

In my experience, it is not necessarily the company or job title that drives personal fulfillment — it is the people you work with directly every day.

How do you ensure alignment across teams in your role as a project leader?

For me, the key is to create project workflows that are easy for the team to adopt. By investing in shared tools and building a strong process for everyone to follow, I make it easy for teams to share information. My goal is always to streamline wherever possible so we can maintain alignment without overcomplicating things.

For example, we decided to use Aha! for our monthly status reports, which has been a game-changer. Each team now updates its progress directly within Aha! Roadmaps, and we can pull all that information into dashboards for a comprehensive view of our projects.

What is the most exciting aspect of your current role?

The most exciting part of my role is the freedom to be curious and creative as I think about the future and how we can work differently. As our organization evolves — with changes to processes, ways of working, and more — we will need creative solutions to meet new challenges. Being part of the project team is especially exciting because it lets me contribute to so many important areas while improving processes that will drive the organization forward.

The contents of this article are my own and do not reflect the views of Edward Jones.

Read more of the Product All-Star series.

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