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Meet Kiri! Kiri is the Business Process Improvement Analyst for Spero Financial. As her title suggests, Kiri works across all departments to partner with them to find the best way to complete various tasks. In turn, this helps Team Spero improve the lives of our members more effectively and efficiently. Kiri’s extensive experience within the credit union and willingness to take on new, unknown roles has prepared her for the role she is currently in and has equipped her to help equip others!
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
Kiri began working at a credit union as a part-time teller when she was in her teens! She began the transitions from teller to lender to manager and quickly realized that these transitions were very smooth for her because of the way she asked questions and learned all that she could about other roles.
Kiri said, “Taking the initiative to ask questions and make people show me how things were done, not only prepared me to apply for the next position, but it also made it really hard for those hiring to tell me I wasn’t ready!”
With this mindset, Kiri took on many different roles including unknown roles and roles that didn’t even exist yet! Throughout her career, Kiri has held the positions of Teller, Loan Officer, Lending Specialist, Community Relations Specialist, Branch Manager, Director of Member Solutions, Business Process Improvement Analyst, and more. Her current position is one that didn’t exist before she took it on; however, Kiri says that roles she held beforehand prepared her for the work she currently does.
Kiri said, “Looking back, this steady movement really lies on basic principles— learn and perfect the tasks in your current role, stay curious, be understanding of different perspectives, and advocate for yourself.”
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE DIFFERED FROM YOUR INITIAL EXPECTATIONS WHEN STARTING OUT 9 YEARS AGO?
When she first began her career within the credit union, Kiri said she had a very linear expectation of progression. Starting out as a teller, Kiri expected to make transitions that were typical in the financial industry— moving from the teller line into a management position.
Looking back, Kiri shared that her expectations were far from reality as many of her roles never existed before she took them! She shared that this aspect has been most exciting as she looks to the future - since her next role probably doesn’t even exist yet.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF ADVICE?
“If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.”
Kiri shared that a huge factor throughout her many career shifts has been her constant pursuit of understanding the why. It’s one thing to know how to do something, but it’s when you can effectively explain what you know and why it is done in a certain way to those who are learning that you are invaluable to the team. Kiri shared the importance of knowing the why and believing in it!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
“Being efficient is not natural to everyone; we all have our strengths and weaknesses when it comes to our role and our contribution to the organization, so it brings me a lot of joy to be someone who gets to show or teach the “doers” on our team an easier way. It is rewarding to be in a role that doesn’t stop at ‘we’ve always done it that way.’”
