Women to Watch: Barbara Haugen

Barbara Haugen

Senior Vp

Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers

Washington

Age: 59

Barbara Haugen has represented commercial brokers since 1981, when she joined the National Assn. of Insurance Brokers as vp-government affairs. Ms. Haugen was NAIB's senior vp government in 1998 when that organization merged with the CIAB. She assumed her current position after the merger. In this role, Ms. Haugen was a driving force in the 2001 creation of the Council of Employee Benefit Executives, a board within the CIAB. Prior to entering the insurance industry, Ms. Haugen was a director of communications in the Carter Administration.

Advice to young women: "When I worked in the Carter White House, Sarah Weddington (assistant to the president) used to say 'It's fine to plan your career path and stay focused, but also stay open to new opportunities.' So I would advise young women entering the industry to take a chance when your gut tells you an opportunity would be fun, challenging and fulfilling."