Influential Woman · Agriculture
Nikki Hudgins
Agriculture, --
Memphis, TN
Her Story
About Nikki
Nikki Hudgins brings more than 27 years of supply chain expertise to her work in agriculture, where she has spent the past 6 years. Her background includes a bachelor's degree in biology, an associate's degree in surgical technology, and a master's in healthcare management and administration, along with Lean Six Sigma certification. At Cargill, Hudgins worked as a liaison between the transportation department and commercial team, managing costs for contracts involving commodities such as cotton while monitoring market fluctuations and transportation rates. She is passionate about process improvement and project management, having led initiatives to map processes, create better SOPs, and enhance organizational efficiency. Hudgins attributes her success to supportive leaders who provided space for creativity and listened to her ideas. She values work-life balance and was actively involved in the Cargill Women's Network and the Ebony Council. Her advice to others emphasizes seeking knowledge like a dry sponge, setting mini-goals to learn something new each day, and for women entering agriculture, not being intimidated in a male-dominated field while finding organizations that value their contributions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nikki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have been very fortunate to have very very supportive leaders that I have worked for along the way in my career who have supported me who listened to my ideas who gave me this space to be creative in roles that I've had throughout my career. So I would definitely attribute good leaders. Definitely leadership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My best career advice to someone would be to be like a dry sponge and soak up as knowledge as you can. Seek knowledge. Don't wait for knowledge to come to you. Inquire learn everything that you can. Get involved in every way that you can. ... Make mini-goals for yourself ... every day learn something new.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be intimidated. It is a very intimidating industry. ... you matter. And not to be intimidated because you're a woman. You know you have a lot to contribute as a woman even in agriculture. ... finding the place where an organization where you can contribute and be valued even as a woman.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
With the economy and with the changes that are happening in our country right now with the tariffs that is a huge concern. Excuse me the tariffs and our relationship with other countries with agriculture. And with our supply chain it's always a concern. ... It's a little shaky you know and we just never know what to predict.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the things that I really value with my professional life and as well as in my work life is work-life balance. I think it's important to of course give 100% you know to your career and as well as to your family but I think what's important is knowing how to balance the two. ... Being a woman and I can speak especially a mother and wife it can be very difficult. But being able to have a supportive family so a family that's very supportive. A company an organization that's very supportive in work-life balance is important.
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