Parsons appoints Soo Lagasse as new Chief Human Resources Officer

Global engineering and infrastructure firm Parsons Corporation has announced a leadership transition in its human resources function, with Soo Lagasse set to become Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) effective April 1, 2026. 

Lagasse succeeds Susan Balaguer, who is retiring this spring after nearly five years with the company. Balaguer will remain with the organization through the end of May to ensure a smooth leadership transition, the company said.

Announcing the move, Carey Smith, chair, president and CEO of Parsons, credited Balaguer with transforming the company’s HR function and strengthening its people-first culture. During her tenure, the company aligned its benefits programs, enhanced leadership development initiatives, and improved employee experience strategies, contributing to strong hiring and retention performance year after year.

Lagasse currently serves as senior vice president of global talent acquisition and mobility at Parsons and has been with the company since 2021. She brings nearly three decades of experience in the government contracting industry and has played a key role in modernising the company’s talent acquisition and workforce planning strategies.

During her time at Parsons, Lagasse led the overhaul of the global talent acquisition function, resulting in multiple record hiring quarters. She also expanded university and internship programmes globally, strengthened global mobility capabilities, and implemented technology platforms to support data-driven workforce planning and talent strategy.

Commenting on her appointment, Lagasse said she was honoured to step into the role and continue building on the company’s people-first culture, with a focus on strengthening programmes that support employees and business growth.

Balaguer’s tenure focused on modernising the HR function, harmonising benefits programmes, building the employee experience function, strengthening the company’s employee value proposition, and aligning HR more closely with business growth strategy.

The leadership transition comes as Parsons continues its growth trajectory and focuses on strengthening its global workforce strategy and talent capabilities.