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A Journey of Transformation

06.02.23 Impact Stories

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 in Impact Stories
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Leading with Gratitude: Mindset + Action

“We’re a nation hungry for more joy: because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude.” ~ Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

 

Have you ever felt like this – running on empty and uncertain how to fill your tank? 

Evidence suggests that 72% of leaders feel used up at the end of their day.

Simply having an attitude of gratitude isn’t enough, as it often fails to translate into meaningful or relatable actions.

An attitude is a way of thinking, and while it’s undoubtedly important, the real magic happens when that mindset is put into action. People who integrate their gratitude into daily practices—like journaling, meditation, prayer, or simply expressing their thankfulness out loud—not only experience greater happiness but also cultivate a deeper sense of joy. …

Read more

Honoring Servant Leadership: Duane Trammell & Deborah Welch

At Sophia Partners, we gather to inspire and remind ourselves of our inherent leadership potential. 

We invite you to join us in celebrating two remarkable leaders whose lifelong commitment to servant leadership motivates and inspires us all to be the best leaders possible for those we serve.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, over 50 dedicated servant-leaders from across the country convened at Celebration Restaurant in Dallas, TX, to honor Duane Trammell and Deborah Welch for their impactful work in creating caring communities in their respective ways.

…

Read more

Wonder & Curiosity: Unspoken Leadership Skills during Uncertainty

Pressure in the workplace incites varied reactions and preferences.

Does a deadline motivate you to complete a project? Do you prefer the buzz of a busy schedule? Or on the flip side, are you the kind of person who needs more time and space to think and accomplish tasks?

Regardless of where you fall on the pendulum between thriving under high pressure or low pressure, all people need to pace themselves to attain optimal energy and avoid exhaustion. 

…

Read more

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