We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mindy Honcoop. Check out our conversation below.
Mindy, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that is bringing me joy lately is my role as a volunteer staff member at North Village Church for our First Impressions Ministry.
I never imagined how my professional gifts could be used in a church setting, yet here I am, using human-centered design techniques to help our church family refine and live out our values. Over the past months, I’ve worked alongside our community to align these values with our mission and vision, starting with small group discussions and breakout sessions to ensure every voice was heard.
Now, we’re moving into an exciting phase: creating awareness around these values and digging into the Scripture that underpins them. We’re not just naming ideals, we’re anchoring them in real behaviors that show up in our daily lives, both as a church body and as individual members. Seeing people connect the “why” of our faith to the “how” of living it out together has been deeply fulfilling and a joyful reminder that our gifts can make an impact in unexpected places.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Mindy Honcoop, founder of Agile in HR, where I help business and HR leaders align people, processes, and technology so organizations can truly thrive. Most of my work centers on equipping HR leaders through advising, coaching, and mentoring, to break free from the overwhelm, suffocation, and “stuck in the weeds” feeling that can so easily take over the role.
I guide them to clear the noise, find their strategic footing, and build the momentum to make the difference they always hoped to make. My approach blends human-centered design with real-world business strategy, so we’re not just fixing symptoms; we’re designing systems, behaviors, and mindsets that sustain impact over time.
What makes Agile in HR unique is that I bridge culture and revenue. I believe HR isn’t just about policies, it’s a lever for business growth and a catalyst for healing workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Alongside Agile in HR, I’ve launched Catalytic Culture with my collaborator, Marnie Robbins. This program equips current and emerging HR leaders to diagnose culture challenges, experiment with new approaches, and deliver business-aligned solutions that stick. Watching leaders gain confidence, shift from reactive to proactive, and create lasting change is the most rewarding part of my work.
Right now, my focus is helping small to mid-sized businesses and the HR leaders within them, future-proof their organizations, embrace agility, and lead with the clarity and courage needed to thrive in any season.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed my worth, and even my ability to be loved, was tied to meeting expectations and performing well. Often, the bar set for me was low. I was the first child from a divorced, lower-income family in a Christian conservative community, and the unspoken message was that I just needed to “turn out okay.” But I wanted to exceed that bar, to prove people wrong for setting it so low. I was competitive because it felt unjust to expect so little, and at the same time, I carried the shield of people-pleasing, wanting desperately to make others proud. I also believed I had to be entirely self-sufficient, that asking for help meant I wasn’t capable enough.
Over time, and especially through my leadership journey, I’ve learned the exact opposite is true. Love and worth aren’t earned through performance, and strength isn’t proven by going it alone. The most impactful leaders, and the most fulfilled people, invite others in. They collaborate, seek counsel, and allow themselves to be vulnerable. I no longer see asking for help or stepping away from perfection as weakness; I see it as a way to build trust, accelerate growth, and deepen connection.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this:
You are not bad. You are not “less than.” You are not ugly. I know the shame and guilt that took root when Dad left and the bullying at school made you feel unworthy. But none of that defines you. You are an amazing, caring, and beautiful creation, exactly as you were made to be. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You are already enough.
I love you. And I want you to simply be resting in who you are and abiding in the One who created you. Let His voice be louder than any lie you’ve believed, and let His love shape the way you see yourself.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what matters most to me is seeing people feel truly seen, heard, and valued, whether in the workplace, in my church community, or in everyday life. They’d tell you I care deeply about helping others step into their fullest potential, not just for the sake of achievement, but so they can live with purpose and joy.
They’d also say I’m fiercely committed to relationships built on trust, authenticity, and shared growth. I’m the one who will celebrate your wins as if they’re my own, sit with you in the hard moments, and gently push you to see what’s possible when you believe in yourself.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me when I’m gone is that I lived in a way that made others feel seen, valued, and loved for exactly who they are. That I used my gifts to create spaces, whether in workplaces, communities, or one-on-one conversations, where people could take a deep breath, shed the weight they were carrying, and step into who they were meant to be.
I hope they’ll say I led with both courage and compassion, that I stood for what was right even when it was hard, and that I never lost sight of the beauty in people’s stories. And most of all, I hope they’ll remember that my life pointed to something bigger than myself, that I abided in my Creator, loved Him deeply, and let His love flow through me to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.agileinhr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agileinhr?igsh=MWppeGhqY3AwcHJkZw==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyhoncoop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15s1vR3N1E/
- Other: https://www.mindyhoncoop.com
