With more than 25 years of experience, Krista Flynn is the Regional President of TCF’s West Region, a position she has held since joining its predecessor, Chemical Bank, in July 2018. TCF happens to be the largest financial institution headquartered in Michigan. Krista will soon become the West Michigan regional president of Huntington Bank, once the merger goes into effect on June first.
Krista is also very involved in West Michigan, sitting on numerous boards. One of her passions is helping others succeed. She especially likes to give back to the next generation. Krista also loves a particular quote from Madeleine Albright-listen to find out what it is! Krista Flynn is today’s guest on Powerful Women: Let’s Talk!
Powerful Women: Let’s Talk is created by WGVU NPR and made possible by WGVU NPR sustaining monthly donors. Become a sustaining monthly donor now at wgvu.org/donate to support WGVU NPR’s local programs, including Powerful Women: Let’s Talk.
Full Transcript:
Produced by women about women. Powerful women. Let's talk is a series of interviews with women were trailblazers and have helped shape our world transforming who we are and how we live. Powerful women, Let's talk is made possible in part by Family Fare. Keeping it real.
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Jennifer Moss: Hello, everyone. It is time for powerful women. Let's talk. Thanks much for joining us today I’m Jennifer Moss. It is a pleasure to bring you today's powerful woman, Krista Flynn. She is the regional president of TCF bank, West Michigan region. And this is the position that she's held since joining its predecessor chemical Bank in July of 2018. And as we can hear, that's got powerful woman written all over it. And guess what, this just in. She is going to now be the regional president of Huntington bank and that's going to take place around June 1st. And so Krista has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry. This includes commercial banking market manager, capital markets, associated credit underwriter. And that's just the short list. So we're so glad to welcome you. Krista Flint, to powerful women. Let's talk.
Krista Flynn: Thank you so much. I'm super glad to be here
Jennifer Moss: And full disclosure, full disclosure. We haven't talked in ages however, our sons went to school together. So I've known Krista to for many, many years. So good to see you here today from all that's been going on. People haven't really been seeing a lot of different people throughout the last year. So this is a good thing. Empty nesters, both of us this time.
Krista Flynn: Yes
Jennifer Moss: So we're going to talk about that in a moment. But first we're going to start, though, of course, with your career. So you have a lot of experience in finance and we should mention you also sit on a number of boards here in West Michigan. That includes the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Grand Action 2.0, The Right Place. You also very involved in the next Gen talent development. So you've got quite an accomplished career here. First question, are you enjoying the journey?
Krista Flynn: I love it. I'm one of those people that truly believes that if you're not having fun, why do it? I mean, you know, there's great things about being assertive and ambitious and wanting to have these great career goals. But if it isn't fun at the end of the day I would be doing something else. So yes, I love it. I love every minute of it. And even the bad times, I try to learn something from them and gain experience from it. And then I can look back and say it was great to go through that. Don't want to go through it again.
Jennifer Moss But It's all part of the journey, and like you said why do it if you don’t love it.
Krista Flynn: Right.
Jennifer Moss: So as we talk about powerful women. Have there been any. But I mean, all of us throughout our course, our journey in encountered in things that's life. And so what are some of the barriers perhaps that you encountered issue traveled along your career path.
Krista Flynn: So when I think about hurdles barriers, I would say it's it really came down to two things. The first one with self-inflicted, right. Like I still have the imposter syndrome. I still have some of that. Oh my gosh, who thought it was a good idea to put me in charge. Or can I really do this or I only have 90% of the skills qualified. So I'm really not qualified. You know, those things that at all women go through. The self doubt for sure. And I haven’t mastered it completely but I’m much better. And then the other hurdles are really the whole navigating through being a mom, being a wife, being committed to both your career and your family and how do you get through all that and feel you're giving it your all to everything I went through all those struggles and I again, I don't feel that I maybe mastered it perfectly, but I feel like I was a really darn good mom and a really darn good employee. So if you can like be at peace with that and figure out what that means for you. You can probably help others get through it
Jennifer Moss: Absolutely is on this road on our journey in life. You know, we all as you mentioned strive to move forward. Women have said or they say that it has taken awhile, it's taking them long. You know, a while to get to their desired point So again, we all face those obstacles and challenge some of what you just mentioned. But for listeners, what has it taken for you to become comfortable in your own skin to find your voice, you know, and be able to, you know, do the things that you need to do but be comfortable in. And I know we talk about everybody still has that self-doubt imposter syndrome, but he still got to be at a point where, I can do this. And so how did you get your voice.
Krista Flynn: I think a big part of it was mentors and people that encouraged me along the way. When I was self-doubting myself and said no, you got this. You can do this. You're good. Look yourself in the mirror and remember, you're good at what you do and frankly, that was not all women. It was a mixture of women and men throughout my career, family members. But when you hear it enough around you. Certainly there's a part of you have to you have to produce whatever that is in your career, whatever that is near your field. You have to be a good worker, right. And if that comes out, then the self-validation can kind of go along with that if other people are pulling you along. I really relied on mentors to help me guide my way through that career cash since I was a kid, nice mentors that I that I did reach out to you from my past. Sometimes going to kind of want to reach out to someone who knew you a long time ago, and sometimes some new mentors as well.
Jennifer Moss: OK, and you do the same thing with what like you'd like to do with your next Gen interests and helping others so that they can be successful.
Krista Flynn: it's a passion. I mean, I love giving back to the next generation and that again, male and female. But I love mentoring people outside of banking. It isn't just all bankers. I talk to a lot of Grand Valley, kids and am involved in ACG which has a lot of mentoring programs and career oriented people in finance and I help and it's just it's a great way to give back. It’s a great way to fill the talent pool.
Jennifer Moss: Absolutely
Krista Flynn: And it's rewarding.
Jennifer Moss: So if you work with a lot of people being the regional president. What leadership traits do you like to see perhaps in those who are with you on this journey, those who work with and perhaps even those you mentor, especially as we talk about that Next Gen and the leadership traits and things that they might want to accomplish. What are you looking for?
Krista Flynn: Well, I think I think what has served me well and the feedback I get from others, so this isn't just me thinking it's important. It's what I hear from others is, authenticity is really important. Transparency is really important. And empathy is really important. So if you have those things, you can get through a lot together and it builds trust. I feel like those 3 things really encompass what trust is all about. And if you can trust your leaders, if you can trust the people that work for you. You know, they have your best interest at heart. Will make mistakes when they come together, we will fix them together, but not losing who you are be genuine to who you are.
Jennifer Moss: That's really important.
Krista Flynn: Absolutely. And being that authentic self as we talk about.
Jennifer Moss: What inspired you to get into finance and was it always your goal to get. I mean, because once you take this Huntington spot. You pretty much reached the top. I'm not saying that you can't go further than that, there is always something else to do, the path doesn’t end. But you know, this is kind of a big deal. So what inspired you to get into finance to begin with and then is this like your dream position, and what your moving into.
Krista Flynn: Yeah, so it's funny. But I grew up in South side of Detroit and spent most of my career over there and first generation to go to college.
Jennifer Moss: We have similar stories
Krista Flynn: Yeah. Paid my way, couldn’t afford to go away to college. I lived at home and kind of fell into banking. I like numbers so fine it seemed, OK, I'll try that. You know, I really didn't have a lot of direction and God love my parents. They were awesome in support of that. They didn't know how to guide because they didn't do it. So I kind of just figured my way through and fell into an internship in banking, loved it and they offered me a, you know, entry level position when I graduated and they're like, hey, do you want to be a banker and I kind of shrugged my shoulders like yeah sure. Did not know what it was I fell in love with it because I think there's it really has the ability to analyze and use my analytical skills and the numbers that I really liked. But its hand in hand with sales and connecting people and just dealing with people all day long. So I think it's a perfect and every industry out there. It's not like I have a specialty in one company that I look at the same financial statements and month after month after month. I'm looking at industries across the board. So it's a really great fit for me. And then as I advanced throughout my career, just different experiences, different levels. I guess I would say I certainly don't want to give up what I could do someday that I'm not even thinking about.
Jennifer Moss: You don’t want to exclude it yet you haven't got there yet,
Krista Flynn: But am I where I want to be, yes, I'm invested in West Michigan. I have. I think the most fun job at the bank. I get to be out in the community a lot but still led the team and develop talent. So it's going to be it's kind of the pinnacle of my career certainly at this point.
Jennifer Moss: Absolutely. And congratulations on that.
Krista Flynn: Thank you.
Jennifer Moss: And so, you know, OK, a lot of women deal with the daily pressures of getting it all done. We did that when we're right. Kids are in the home at that that time. What was your journey like when you were raising your kids in trying to manage a growing and moving fast forward banking career.
Krista Flynn: Yeah. It was a bad I was juggling a lot right. So I would I will be honest and say I had help. Right. And that comes with a nice income level. Lot of people don't have that. And I don't, I don't know how to solve that problem for people that don't. So I was able to hire daycare for quite a bit. And then ultimately had somebody in my house after school and those sorts of things to help me do it. And thank God for her because she was she really was amazing and really part of the family almost. But in addition to that, it's spending quality time with your kids, raising them with the right values I truly believe that being a working mom, and this is not a judgment against women that don't work. It's just how it worked in my family but being a working mom made me a better mom. And my kids respect me in my position, tremendously and I hope that carries on to how they think of women and their future spouses and children and treat others. So I don’t know if I got it all right but I sure tried hard.
Jennifer Moss: Absolutely. And you like that that format that model for your kids as well. And so both sons you have right now.
Krista Flynn: Yes two boys.
Jennifer Moss: And that's important for them to see I think for sure,
Krista Flynn: And they tell me how proud they are of me, which is so nice to hear
Jennifer Moss: from your own grown young men
Krista Flynn: Absolutely.
Jennifer Moss: So of course, again, we're back on the empty nester piece. Now we're both empty nesters, life's little different without all that hustle and bustle. How are you balancing now your work life, your personal life, especially with possibly having on with what you're doing? I’m not sure you have more time on your hands. But how has it changed for you.
Krista Flynn: Yeah, it's so we eased into it by really raising independent kids, right. I mean, so it isn't quite a shock when. Well, frankly, when they're 30 minutes away at Grand Valley is nice. It's not too far. But then they were always very independent kids and we encourage that. So when they left, it was just a little less needing mom. But I still get that phone call. You know, hey mom coming home this weekend. Can you make me dinner?
Jennifer Moss: What are you making? What's in the fridge right now.
Krista Flynn: Exactly, we have a great relationship with both the boys. But what's really important is maintaining your marriage, right. Now you have no kids in the house. And you have to make sure you like each other at the end of the day. That can't just happen at the end when the kids now are gone, you have to have worked on that all the way through as well. Just like raising your children.
Jennifer Moss: Of course, a lot of work involved.
Krista Flynn: And I really feel so my husband Paul and I, we golf together, that's our thing. And we kind of did that when the boys were growing up. We would take Saturday afternoon would get a babysitter. And at 2 o'clock we would play golf and go to dinner afterwards and that was kind of our date night for a long-time many years and that's something we can do in retirement together. So we traveled to go golfing. We, you know, do those sorts of things. So it's been fine so far. Covid has probably helped a little bit from that standpoint because the kids were home more than they might have been with a regular off to college experience.
Jennifer Moss: Very true.
Krista Flynn: But it's been fine we've had we've had a great transition. It's been, It's been great.
Jennifer Moss: And we have to. And you know, the golfing piece I’m finally taking up golfing.
Krista Flynn: Good, Good
Jennifer Moss: I’ve gone before but I just sat in the cart and now I’m finally going to golf.
Krista Flynn: Then we will have to get out.
Jennifer Moss: Absolutely. We will, we will do that. Here's an easy breezy question. It's one of my favorite questions. They say laughter is good for the soul. I say it all the time. What is it that makes you let them talking about, you know, that gut busting What gets to you where you just really want to say this is it and it there say what makes it.
Krista Flynn: I have the most juvenile sense of humor.
Jennifer Moss: And that’s okay
Krista Flynn: Boys, you know, boy, boy humor is just I've grown up with it. Now I have 2 boys and the fact that they would get belly laughing over something silly and juvenile. Just make is contagious, right. And you know, we'll watch silly movies together and they'll send me means that I roll my eyes at. But inside. I'm cracking up like that is pretty funny.
Jennifer Moss: Your thinking I’m supposed to be the mom but this sure is funny. I should say really guys, but then you just really cracking up.
Krista Flynn: I believe laughter is good for the soul. Also, again, like just with your job. If you're not having fun doing it. If you can't laugh throughout the day. What is life all about? You know.
Jennifer Moss: And don’t take yourself too seriously either. So a lot happening in the world. We've talked about that a lot of times people are looking for just a tad, a little bit of encouragement. You have any favorite sayings, mottos or thoughts that you used to encourage yourself or others to share with.
Krista Flynn: The one that comes to mind is one that I’ve had to use a lot, particularly as I'm focused most more recently on women and helping develop that next level talent. And I love the quote from Madeleine Albright that “there's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women”.
Jennifer Moss: Oh I love that. I'm sure you've heard that before. But then coming from Krista Flynn I’m like wow I like that.
Krista Flynn: I think it's our duty right.
Jennifer Moss: Absolutely
Krista Flynn: And we have to help each other and women that hold back other women out of fear or jealousy or whatever it’s like get over it. We need to help each other rise.
Jennifer Moss: Why we do powerful women, right.
Krista Flynn: That's right.
Jennifer Moss: Love it, love it. I so enjoyed talking with you are in that conversation. Just catching up with you again. So I just want to thank you for joining us on powerful women, Let's talk
Krista Flynn: Thanks so much, Jennifer
Jennifer Moss: And I want to thank all of you, our listeners for joining us as well. I'm Jennifer Moss do enjoy your day.
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Produced by women about women. These powerful podcasts focus on powerful women in how their strength transforms who we are and how we live. Want to hear more powerful women, Let's talk? Additional interviews at WGVU.org or wherever you get your podcasts, please rate and subscribe. Powerful women, Let's talk, is made possible in part by Family Fare. Keeping it real.
Powerful women, Lets talk is produced by WGVU at the Myer public broadcast Center at Grand Valley State University, the views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect those of WGVU, its underwriters or Grand Valley State University.
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