Claire studied at the Auckland University of Technology and completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy). She initially worked in community mental health in Auckland before moving to New Plymouth to work in Vocational Rehabilitation. This resulted in a change of focus to dealing with assisting people to return to work following an injury. Claire also started working in pain management and the concussion service. A move to the Manawatu allowed for a break from ACC work to working the research projects for Otago University.

Claire joined Active Plus in October 2013 to return to vocational rehabilitation work. She has recently taken up swimming, cycling and triathlons,  completing one in the Scottish Highlands not so long ago.