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A Journey of Transformation

06.02.23

Working professional.

Wife, mother, daughter.

Servant leader.

Kristin Steede is all of these things…and more.

As the AVP of Learning and Development at Verve, a Credit Union, she is dedicated to helping others find their potential.

An enthusiastic servant leader, she is on a mission to open doors by opening minds.

 

Kristin promotes resilience, possibility, and a shared vision of helping others live the authentic life of their choosing.

Using her value of alignment, she models confident vulnerability by sharing stories of her lived and learned experiences that demonstrate growth, humility, and self-awareness.

Facing Adversity:

The catalyst for Kristin’s storytelling began in 2009 when she embarked on a journey of physical transformation by appearing on Season 7 of NBC’s The Biggest Loser.

Week after week, Kristin competed in a series of physical challenges, along with her mother, in the weight-loss-based reality TV show.

“It was a whirlwind of an experience.”

By week 12, Kristin became the first female to have ever lost 100 lbs while on The Biggest Loser Ranch.

After the show, she shared her story on some of the biggest and brightest stages including an appearance on NBC’s Today Show and on the cover of Life & Style Magazine.

The Journey Continues:

Once the lights were off and the cameras stopped rolling, Kristin’s physical & mental transformation started coming undone.

She remarked: “That’s the thing about the experiences that shape us, they become an unconscious way of being forged in the fires of adversity that have and know no boundaries.”

“We’ve all had experiences in our lives that have shaped us. Some good, some bad. Some extraordinary, some ordinary.”

By overcoming adversity and learning to manage her own well-being, Kristin found a great deal of joy and fulfillment in starting her family and in her work of corporate cultural development.

Cue Servant Leadership:

It was an introduction to the philosophy of servant leadership that would set her off on a different life-changing transformational journey.

“Through the practice of servant leadership, I learned not to minimize the impact of how my experiences have shaped my way of being.”

Through the many ups and downs of her life, she remains thankful for the ripple that started 20 years ago. Her testament is a demonstration of the power and practice of servant leadership.

“My stories are unique to me. YOU have your own stories and experiences that have shaped your way of being. We are all connected in that way, and it is up to us to create a community and a world that honors and appreciates the dignities of all humans.”

 

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Kristin was the featured speaker for Sophia’s Caring Community Breakfast in October of 2022. To learn more about this event, click here!

Written by Samantha King
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Remembering the Roots: Honoring Servant Leadership’s Origins

Every year, organizations recognize leaders for accomplishments like revenue growth, innovation, market share, or operational excellence.

But the Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant-Leadership Award celebrates something different. It asks a question that goes beyond results: “Who did this person help become their best self?”

Presented by Sophia Partners to Dr. Richard Kyte at Viterbo University’s Conference on Servant Leadership on June 25, 2026, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the award reminds us that the greatest measure of leadership isn’t found in a title or a résumé.

It’s found in the lives we’ve influenced, the people we’ve empowered, and the communities we’ve helped strengthen.

 

…

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Board Bios: Meet Mason Gravelle

A Fond du Lac native and nonprofit leader, Mason Gravelle believes thriving communities are built through collaboration, shared leadership, and meaningful relationships. 

As the Philanthropy Director at the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, Mason works closely with community partners, donors, and organizational leadership to translate shared values into measurable, difference-making impact.

He recently celebrated his eighth anniversary at SSM Health where he began his career in Marketing before transitioning to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. 

With experience collaborating closely with executive leaders, Mason brings a strong understanding of board governance, strategic planning, and the importance of aligning mission, values, and decision-making to the Sophia Board of Directors, which he joined as of June 2026. …

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More Than a Conference: Building the Future of Leadership in WI

Leadership isn’t just about individual growth—it’s about strengthening workplaces, organizations, and communities.

That was evident throughout this year’s Impact Conference 2026 on June 4th, where participants consistently shared that the experience was meaningful, relevant, and energizing. 

Impact 2026: Your Impact Grows Here

Sophia Partners’ Impact 2026: Transformative Leadership Conference (formerly the Aspiring Servant Leaders Conference) brought together 150 committed leaders from across Fond du Lac County, Fox Valley, and surrounding communities to Moraine Park Technical College for a full-day experience designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations succeed.

…

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© 2026 Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners

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