Christen Losey-Gregg, 35
Principal, Losey Insurance and Financial Services
Christen Losey-Gregg has always had a giving spirit. Throughout her 20-year career at Losey Insurance and Financial Services, she has been able to help people and businesses alike in finding ways to protect their financial future. “It’s humbling when clients say thanks for educating them on insurance coverage choices,” she says. Losey-Gregg’s volunteer work also runs deep. Her community work includes Friends of the Capitol Park Museum, Forum 35 and its Art Melt event, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival and the Junior League of Baton Rouge, among many other groups. She was also part of the 2015 class of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Baton Rouge Community Leaders Program.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Clients referring their friends and family to our practice.
- Being ranked at the top by companies we represent.
- Leading with a great team of professionals.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
Louisiana State Museum Capitol Park: Friends of the Capitol Park Museum, board president; Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Young Agents Committee and INVEST volunteer; The Association of Junior Leagues International, Junior League of Baton Rouge, DGR Committee; Preserve Louisiana, Collections Committee; Forum 35, Art Melt Advisory Committee; Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Children’s Programming Chair; Boy Scouts of America Istrouma Area Council, Pack 5 and Cooking for Character Committee; Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge and Acadiana, volunteer; Icing Smiles, Sugar Angel; Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Guild; National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; The Institute of Internal Auditors; Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana; National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; Baton Rouge Area Chamber; Baton Rouge Area Foundation; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Young Friends of Art; Louisiana Art and Science Museum; LSU Museum of Art; Baton Rouge Gallery; Audubon Nature Institute; Friends of City Park (New Orleans); The Historic New Orleans Collection; National Archives Foundation; National Parks Foundation; Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO), The Community Leaders Program inaugural class Baton Rouge (2015); John W. Barton Sr. Community Leadership Program (2008).
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
Harvard Business Review.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
To help others. I didn’t really know what that would encompass because I have several passions, but my career in insurance allows me to help others every day professionally, and my volunteer pursuits allow me to effect change in other, meaningful ways.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
Stirring pie filling for my mom’s catering business as a young girl. Among other obligations, she had a standing order for several pies to be delivered to a local diner. It taught me dedication, commitment, and when I got to go along on the delivery, a soft drink.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
I’m an early riser, so I like to meet others for breakfast. Generally, I let the other person choose, but love Magpie Café and Brew Ha Ha. Black tea or dark roast coffee with quiche or a muffin.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Seeing the fruits of our labor as I watched my father start our practice as a young child and then was able to assume larger roles within our practice as I gained experience.
HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?
Prepare, review, memorize.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
It’s humbling when clients say thanks for educating them on insurance coverage choices. Particularly after this most recent flood when we had several grateful clients in “X” flood zones, who flooded, who were thoughtful and generous to our staff.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
Keeping task lists and endeavor to be ready in advance to accommodate unanticipated last minute changes.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Take lots of pictures.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?
The time spent studying industry changes to provide relevant information and lobbying to influence change for the benefit of the whole.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
Professional.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
Helping people with the framework for their future. Unamicable divorce.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
This past May I was invited to the Progressive headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, as it was announced that Tricia Griffith would succeed Glenn Renwick as the new CEO. Incidentally, I have met them on other occasions. Tricia’s father, like mine, had an early career with Prudential, so we both grew up observing the industry and its evolution. It is really encouraging and empowering to have a seat at the table and celebrate women in a leadership capacity in a traditionally male dominated industry as I follow a similar path.
MAC OR PC?
Both: iPhone, iPad, PC desktop.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
Don’t text too much; I like talking to people. I talk to clients, by phone or face to face. Friends and family, by their preference. Try not to send more emails than necessary.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
Phone battery dying does not merit an anxiety attack.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
None.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
ArtKive and Seesaw to digitally archive fun things my kids make. I am a huge proponent of home inventory apps—some are free and others require a subscription. The recent flood catastrophe is another great example as to why finding a solution to keep a list of what you own before a loss presents itself is so important.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
Detection of cancers from stage zero.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
Nuclear weapons.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
By 6 a.m., depending what is on the calendar.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
I always eat breakfast, mostly at home. Hard to beat fresh eggs and bacon.
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I recognize in order to influence change that I have to be involved.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
When I began college after I graduated high school early.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
The best vacations are with family and friends. One of my favorite vacation photos is my grandmother sitting on a rhinoceros in Hawaii. I enjoy taking my children places I visited as a child.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
Piano lessons; I love my Steinway grand piano.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
Telepathy.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
Losey.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
I’m not.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
Historical figures.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Hot tea.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Classic jazz is my favorite genre. Enjoy sharing my love for music with my children by regularly attending events at the Baton Rouge Symphony, LSU School of Music, Baton Rouge Concert Band, Marine Corp Band, and Broadway.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
To Kill a Mocking Bird.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Audrey Hepburn.
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
Birds. Specifically, The Birds I, The Birds II, and The Birds III.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Adapt to quickly change; tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
PETS?
Balinese cat and chickens.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS? WHAT HAPPENED?
When my children first met Jack Hanna and visited one on one with several of his animal friends. He is very personable and does a lot of wonderful work with Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation and other wildlife organizations.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
Moving to Baton Rouge from Missouri.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
Finding small ways to make a big difference.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Equipping my children to quickly adapt to the challenges they will face.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Relationships with likeminded friends and family.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Elevate your expectations, exceed those and achieve excellence! Do more than complain about the challenges our community faces; take your professional knowledge and insight to facilitate change.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Absolutely; we love the culture and creative energy here.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
Cleaning up the litter in Baton Rouge; it is quite a mess.
