A powerful reflection on navigating life's uncertain seasons and discovering that true growth happens in the in-between moments. This inspiring piece explores how faith, resilience, and service transform challenges into purpose.
Her Story
About Claire
Claire Shina Eugene, She/Her, is a Human Resources and people-centered professional with over five years of experience spanning customer service, disability support services, and healthcare-related case management. Her career reflects a diverse and intentional journey rooted in service, beginning in customer-facing retail roles where she advanced from cashier to assistant manager, building a strong foundation in leadership, accountability, and client relations.
She later transitioned into supporting individuals with disabilities, where she developed deeper expertise in care coordination and client advocacy. Her performance and skill set led to a transition into an office-based role, expanding her experience in documentation, compliance, and administrative operations. After relocating to live with family, she was encouraged to pursue her current career path and ultimately joined her present organization, where she has served for the past two years as a Medical Case Specialist supporting a vendor for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
In her current role, Claire helps ensure veterans are able to access critical medical appointments by coordinating transportation and support services that contribute to their benefits and overall well-being. She finds deep purpose in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves, considering this impact her most significant professional achievement. While advancing her career, she is also pursuing her Master of Business Administration at the University of Arizona Graduate College, further strengthening her leadership and business acumen as she continues to grow in the human resources and healthcare support field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Claire
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say making a difference is what I attribute my success to. I'm used to helping people, whether professionally or personally, but knowing that I'm making a difference in the things that I do is really my greatest achievement. Going to school while doing that was another plus for me. Even in my current role helping veterans get the care and help they need, it's that sense of making a difference that drives me and defines my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To Stop thinking of myself as someone with multiple unrelated interests.
« You are building a leadership ecosystem. »
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say patience is key. Working in customer service is, at times, rewarding, but at the same time, when a veteran is calling and they have spoken to two other people, by the time they get to me, they're frustrated beyond measure, so you kind of have to be patient with them. Even though you understand it, you really get the bad end until you're actually helping them, and they're like, okay, they're a little calm. But if you don't have patience, you cannot make it. Because you'd be frustrated, & you'd take it personal. Just Be Patient.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is adapting to rapid changes such as artificial intelligence, evolving healthcare regulations, and employee burnout while still delivering high-quality service. At the same time, there are significant opportunities for professionals who can lead teams, improve workplace culture, and use data to drive better outcomes. As someone with experience in healthcare and an MBA focused on leadership, I am well positioned to take advantage of these opportunities and advance into management roles.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Making a difference in people's lives is what's most important to me. I'm used to helping people, whether professionally or personally, and knowing that I'm making a difference in the things that I do is really what drives me. Even though I've dealt with depression a lot and stayed in my own little bubble for a while, I didn't want to start anything I couldn't finish or be part of something where I wasn't going to make a difference or where it would be too stressful for me. Now I'm more open to trying new things and looking into different pathways.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Claire
The Power of Standing in the In-Between: Lessons on Faith, Leadership, and Becoming By Claire S. Eugene
Finding Strength and Purpose in Life's Uncertain Seasons
The In-Between
The in-between is where dreams feel distant, opportunities seem uncertain, and the future appears blurry. It is where many women find themselves while building careers, raising families, pursuing education, healing from disappointment, or trying to discover who they are meant to become.
For much of my life, I have lived in that space.
I was born in Haiti and later moved to the United States, carrying hopes, ambitions, and a deep faith in God. Like many women, I learned that success is rarely a straight line. There were moments when I had to work harder than I imagined, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and push forward even when the outcome was unclear.
What I discovered is that growth does not happen after we arrive at our destination. Growth happens during the journey.
Today, I am an MBA student, a worship leader, a songwriter, an entrepreneur, and a professional dedicated to serving others through my work. Yet none of those titles tells the full story. The most important lessons I have learned came from seasons when I felt unseen, uncertain, and stretched beyond my comfort zone.
Those seasons taught me three truths.
First, Your Current Circumstances Do Not Define Your Future Potential
Many women delay their dreams because they believe they must wait for perfect conditions. They wait for more money, more confidence, more experience, or more support. The reality is that confidence is often built while moving forward, not before taking the first step.
Every degree earned, business launched, song written, or leadership opportunity accepted begins with a decision to start before feeling fully ready.
Second, Leadership Is Service
In today's world, leadership is often associated with titles and authority. However, the leaders who leave the greatest impact are those who serve. Leadership is helping others succeed. It is encouraging someone who wants to give up. It is extending a hand to someone who cannot yet see their own potential.
Third, Faith Is Not the Absence of Challenges; It Is the Decision to Keep Moving Through Them
As a woman of faith, I have learned that purpose is often revealed one step at a time. There are moments when we do not understand why doors close or why progress feels slow. Yet those moments often prepare us for opportunities we could not have handled earlier.
To every woman reading this who feels stuck in the in-between, I want to remind you of something important: your story is still being written.
The challenges you face today may become the testimony that inspires someone else tomorrow. The skills you are developing now may become the foundation of future success. The setbacks you are experiencing may be preparing you for a greater purpose than you can currently see.
- Do not underestimate the value of perseverance.
- Do not underestimate the power of your voice.
- Most importantly, do not underestimate yourself.
The world needs women who are willing to lead with courage, serve with compassion, and remain faithful throughout the journey. Women who understand that success is not simply about reaching a destination but about who we become along the way.
The in-between is not a place of weakness. It is where transformation happens. And sometimes, the women who change the world are the ones who learn how to thrive there.
I Never Thought I Would Be Here
There was a time when I sat quietly in a corner, throwing myself a "woe is me" party, watching other people reach what seemed like the top while wondering if my turn would ever come. I compared my journey to theirs and allowed anxiety, fear, and self-doubt to convince me that I was falling behind.
But now, looking back on the uncertainties and anxieties of life, I realize something powerful: this is my time.
The road felt long. At times, it felt unbearable. There were moments when I questioned whether all the sacrifices, tears, and setbacks were worth it. Yet through it all, giving up was never an option. Something deep inside me kept whispering, "Keep going."
Today, I can look back and appreciate the hard times because they shaped me into the woman I am today. Every disappointment taught me resilience. Every closed door taught me patience. Every challenge strengthened my faith and prepared me for opportunities I could not yet see.
If I could speak to my 27-year-old self, I would simply say:
"Baby girl, I am proud of who you are today."
Not because everything turned out perfectly, but because you kept going. You believed when it was difficult. You persevered when it would have been easier to quit. You trusted that your story was still unfolding.
And to every courageous woman reading this: be encouraged.
Your current chapter is not your final chapter. The obstacles in front of you are not greater than the strength within you. Keep believing. Keep building. Keep becoming.
This is not the end of your story.
This is just the beginning.
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