Kristin Thompson Poelker - Renaissance Financial
Thirlby Co. Leader to Learn From: April 2024
April 3, 2024
In July 2011, Kristin Thompson Poelker joined Renaissance Financial as a financial advisor without prior experience in the field. “I liked my firm’s mission statement and how they described financial planning,” Kristin explained. “I told them that I am really good with people, and they’d just need to teach me the rest.”
Since then, Kristin has loved working in her field and helping her clients achieve their financial goals. “I love telling people: ‘we are going to get you to this point’ and then being a part of the process that follows,” Kristin shared.
Outside of work, Kristin is a proud mom, wife, and community volunteer whose life changed significantly during the pandemic. In addition to going through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and becoming a mom and IVF warrior, Kristin was diagnosed with depression. “IVF led to my depression diagnosis,” Kristin explained. “As someone who has never had a mental health struggle and always considered themselves joyful, I never knew how crippling depression can be.”
Though her journey with IVF and depression, Kristin learned that empathy is the most essential skill someone must have to work with others. Today, she uses empathy to fuel her work, volunteerism, and time with her family.
Read on to learn more about Kristin’s journey into the financial industry, what she’s learned about becoming a mom, and an important message she’d offer her younger self.
OUR INTERVIEW WITH KRISTIN
Tell me about your journey into the financial industry.
I studied mathematics and economics in college. Later, I discovered my firm, Renaissance Financial, and liked their mission statement and how they described financial planning. I told them that I am really good with people, and they’d just need to teach me the rest. I wish there was more of a story but there wasn’t.
I love working with and helping people. I’m an A type math nerd. I love helping clients set goals and telling them: “we are going to get you to this point.” I love the process that follows. I’m going to do this job until I’m 60, then teach yoga and finance until I’m 70, and then do random jobs.
In November of last year, you became a mom. How has being a mom changed you?
You definitely have to learn to be more flexible. Before being a mom, there were some things that were more important that I think were ultimately about ego. A lot more decisions have to be weighed on what is best for this child, household, and the family. And that means that I’m not going to do some things that I would have done before.
Contrary to how I’ve heard some people describe motherhood, I feel like I have a new skill set on my résumé or tool in my belt, rather than I have become a new person. Now there is this extra part of me that is a mom.
I went through this when I became a wife, too. There are times where I’m being a mom, and there are times when I’m not. I’m still Kristin Thompson showing up, but with new experiences. I want to be a good wife, mom, but I want to do it in ways that still bring me joy for myself.
The journey of becoming a mom was a long and hard one for you, and it’s something you’ve been open about. How do you think it impacted you, and how do you feel about what’s going politically right now with IVF?
Philosophically, I learned that the cards were going to be dealt - it made me more resilient. When I went through my fertility journey and IVF, I imagined what it would be like if people didn’t have the resources I did. Everything I’ve been through has made me more empathetic and passionate about giving back.
As far as what’s going on with politics, it’s complete trash. The pandemic did a number on people and it seems they aren’t acknowledging it. There are a lot of people not addressing the mental trauma and they are taking it out on others. The lawmakers who are deciding these things have no clue. If you aren’t able to think about someone else, what trauma are you not addressing with yourself?
Outside of being a mom, wife, and financial advisor, you’re actively involved in the community. What are you the most passionate about?
Opportunities in education for children - especially minority children and women. I currently sit on the board of College Bound, that has been my greatest passion at the moment. I also love helping women on their professional path, including donating professional clothes, volunteering for mock interviews, and financial literacy presentations. I often think about how exposure can help people who look like me.
How would you define confidence?
Knowing that you can achieve the result. Whether it’s through your own means or problem solving and finding the people to do it.
What is your mission or purpose in life?
To leave most of my human interactions having helped others feel better than they did before we had our encounter.
What do you think is the most important skill a leader must have to successfully manage people?
Empathy. I do believe, even before IVF, that everyone is trying their best. IVF led to my depression diagnosis. As someone who has never had a mental health struggle and always considered themselves joyful, I never knew how crippling depression can be. If I have bad interactions with someone I have a renewed level of patience, and I don’t take it too personally since I don’t know what is happening in their life.
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
I’m considered a loud mouth. I’m okay if someone wants me to shut up. I’m trying to give a voice to the voiceless. At a group setting at work, I’m trying to speak for those who might not be in the room.
What is something that might surprise people about you?
I frequently let my phone run to zero and let it die. I could care less.
What advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
Ask yourself what truly truly brings you joy. What part of your day is the best part? I realized I had depression because it didn’t show up as sadness, it showed up as apathetic. I didn’t have a feeling about anything.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
I’m happy with where I am. I was an overweight child and was taller than everyone else. I was a Black girl in mostly White spaces. I wasn’t getting told curvy was beautiful. There were dark days where I felt ugly and unattractive. I would have told that little girl, hang in there, we’re going to be great someday.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I want to make sure people know that you don’t have to settle. Too many people wake up, work, go home, and repeat. My husband is staying at home with our daughter and after four months, he told me he’s the happiest he’s ever been. I just don’t think we’re built for two people being out of the house.
About Kristin Thompson Poelker (She/Her)
As an advisor at Renaissance Financial, the driving force behind Kristin’s excellent service to her clients is strong relationships. She works with a diverse group of clients, but especially enjoys guiding women in their financial journey, helping them learn how to protect, save and invest in their futures.
Kristin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois in the spring of 2011, and joined the Renaissance team the following fall. In her years at the firm, Kristin has established herself as a stand out performer amongst her peers, winning numerous awards, including being named as the Renaissance Silver Advisor of the year in 2015. Kristin demonstrated her continued commitment to excellence and client advocacy by earning her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification in 2017, a designation held by less than 25% of advisors in the industry.
In addition to her work at Renaissance, Kristin has been recognized multiple times for her leadership and contributions to the St. Louis community. As a member of the Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network Leadership 100, alumni of the 2015-2016 class of the FOCUS Leadership St. Louis Program, and 2018 St. Louis Business Journal Top 30 Under 30 honoree it’s clear Kristin gives the same level of commitment to St. Louis, her hometown .
Kristin currently serves on the board for Forest Park Forever and College Bound, an organization through which she hopes to help inspire the next generation and keep them on track for success. Outside of work, Kristin is a proud wife and mom and loves doing yoga and spending quality time with her family and friends. Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn.
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Securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC (Doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency LLC, CA Insurance Lic #0644976), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Renaissance Financial Corporation is independently owned and operated.
5700 Oakland Ave. Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63110 | Phone: 314.932.4300
About This Feature
Leaders to Learn From is a standing feature in The Thirlby Company’s monthly newsletter that recognizes outstanding leaders in our community who demonstrate our company’s core values. You can learn about our other honorees here, or subscribe to our newsletter to receive this feature and more inspiring content in the future.
