Amy Ruth is Florida Blue’s Chief Human Resource Officer. In this role, she brings her extensive knowledge of human capital development and talent management to provide executive leadership for the company’s human resources, diversity, corporate services and strategic facilities. Amy is the immediate past Chair for the Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center and served on the Board since 2013. She is also a member of the Equality Means Business Advisory Board and provides support for the Mali Vai Washington Youth Foundation and the American Heart Association. Amy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia.
Teachers have tremendous influence over their students by guiding what and how they learn as well as providing nurturing and encouragement that can help improve their performance. But teachers’ impact extends far beyond academics. They also play a significant role in the development of a young person’s character. The influence they have during critical developmental years provides a foundation for the values their students will develop as an adult.
As the chief human resources officer at GuideWell and Florida Blue, I firmly believe our employees are the core of our business, which is why we seek employees who share our company’s values of respect, integrity, imagination, courage and excellence. When I speak with our employees who exemplify these values, I often find the foundation for them was laid by influential teachers in their life.
Respect – We respect and value collaboration with our colleagues and business partners at Florida Blue. The foundation of showing respect for others and their ideas is something that often developed in the classroom as students begin working together and learning how to balance differing thoughts and opinions from their own.
Integrity – We adhere to strong ethical and uncompromising legal standards in every aspect of our business at Florida Blue. Teaching integrity in children goes beyond just teaching them to “tell the truth,” but also explaining how to live the truth in their actions and words.
Imagination – To fulfill our mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue continually seeks innovative and creative ways to meet the needs of our members. Imagination is something that is not in short supply with children, but it’s something we often set aside to “take the easy route” as we get older. It’s important for teachers to embrace children’s imagination and channel it into innovative solutions.
Courage – At Florida Blue, courage allows us to act with confidence and resolve in the face of uncertainty and risk. Courage also drives principled, effective leaders in business, and it is a value that allows us to embrace change and challenge the status quo. It can be difficult for children to find courage when they are faced with peer pressure and bullying at a time in their life when they are still working through their self-identity. It’s critical that our teachers are supportive of students and let them know they have a voice that deserves to be heard.
Excellence – High expectations and goals are the standard that we choose for each other and ourselves at Florida Blue. Great teachers can inspire students to give it their best and not just try to get by with the bare minimum to instill the importance of seeking excellence in all they do.
I’m thankful for the teachers we have here in Florida who are imparting the next generation of Florida Blue employees with these five values that can enhance their life both personally and professionally for years to come.