At Brown & Brown Absence Services Group, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions and creating a positive impact for our customers, clients, and teammates. To support this commitment, we have assembled a leadership team rich in seasoned professionals and creative thinkers to cast the vision for the organization’s future while also developing and executing against our strategies for success.
As we approach the end of Women’s History Month, we are proud to introduce Claire Rouge, Vice President of Human Resources. Since joining the organization nearly two years ago, Claire has been responsible for overseeing the recruitment and onboarding of new teammates, curating initiatives designed to increase teammate engagement, connecting to leadership and strategic planning for organizational growth.
Claire joined Brown & Brown with over 20 years of experience in talent management, employee relations and human resources operations. Prior to joining Brown & Brown, Claire began pursuing her Master of Jurisprudence in Labor & Employment Law, earning the degree in Spring 2022 from Tulane University Law School.
Claire’s extensive experience in human resources and employee relations, combined with her specialized education, has made her a tremendous asset to our organization. She has deep insight into what creating positive teammate experiences looks like, providing support to our top-tier talent while fostering an engaging, collaborative work environment.
When asked to reflect on what about her current position Claire takes the most pride in, she notes:
Being a trusted thought partner. That includes investing in the teammate experience, which is one of our evergreen goals at Brown & Brown Absence Services Group. I get to work with people across the organization and up and down the organizational chart, which is rewarding in its own right.
We asked Claire more questions about her time at Brown & Brown, what she expects for the future of the organization and how diversity and inclusion will play a role in that future. Here is what she had to say.
What would you consider the biggest highlight(s) of your career with Brown & Brown?
I don’t think it’s happened yet – two years have flown by, and it feels like I’m just getting started! I’m proud of the work we’re doing in diversity and inclusion, and I’m excited to see how we continue to progress in that space. It’s allowed me to form some meaningful relationships with our amazing teammates.
What excites you most about the future of Brown & Brown Absence Services Group?
Our Growth and Profitability Strategy positions us for continued success. Now that Brown & Brown Absence Services Group has joined the Retail segment, our services are further exposed to the broader organization. This will help us to realize our potential and achieve our growth goals.
You joined the organization nearly two years ago and have been integral in advancing the diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy since then. Why is that so important to you?
It’s personal – safely and openly offering myself as an example of someone who strives to continue evolving my learning journey might encourage others to begin or continue this work. Educating myself and offering opportunities for others to do the same is the right thing to do. Normalizing these efforts and recognizing that it is a destination-less journey is crucial. Together with others, we are tackling these complex issues, giving each other opportunities to learn and making it safe to recognize that it is my job (just as much as everyone else) to do better.
I’m lucky that I get to help ensure we keep this in focus. This means continuing to learn, question and figure out how to be there for one another and allowing others to express their experience and thank them for that gift.
This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion.” What does “Inspire Inclusion” mean to you?
Embracing our true selves and the unique experiences that shaped us, then sharing those perspectives from that place of work – to me, that’s the essence of inspiring inclusion. I make a deliberate choice each day to be authentic and openly engage in self-acceptance. Demonstrating that I can be myself, be vulnerable, imperfect, compassionate, kind, empathetic, strong, and successful without fear, hopefully, inspires others, especially women, to feel inspired and included.
There isn’t one definition of success, strength, leadership or inclusion. I can still be strong and vulnerable, competent and confident, and nervous or doubtful in moments. I can have days when it’s difficult for me, and it’s okay to share those things.
