A Dive Into Four Key Challenges Financial Institutions Face Regularly — Part Two: Saving Time
By Andres Pasantes
4 min read
This month’s employee spotlight is on Crissandra Fry Moffet. Crissandra joined the team in 2021 as a Director of Business Development with Engage fi, where she is responsible for building relationships with banks and credit unions that may need assistance in evaluating and selecting vendors based on their strategic goals and educating them on how Engage fi can help them reach their goals. Having been impressed by the caliber of people and quality of work after working with our consulting team on a previous client project, Crissandra later met and kept in touch with James Guild and jumped at the opportunity to join the team when the Director of Business Development position opened in the fall of 2021.
Working remotely from the West Coast, Crissandra largely works with the team through digital channels. She has gotten to know the team and her favorite thing about working at Engage fi is the culture of people helping people. She appreciates that everyone cares for our clients and each other. She says “the team does a fantastic job of collaborating, sharing ideas/best practices, and holding each other accountable. It’s such a fun team to be a part of.”
Originally from St. Louis, Crissandra now resides in Seattle. She considers herself fortunate that she was able to chase her career through several amazing cities. When she was 18, Crissandra enlisted in the military and spent eight years serving in the Army as a Legal Specialist and Court Reporter. She spent time at five US Army stations and one Naval Academy. She also spent time overseas in South Korea. Every year Crissandra tries to send a little “thanks” to others she knows who also served. When she’s not ‘in’ the office, Crissandra can be found at Orange Theory in the winter and on Lake Tapps in the summer. She lives at the base of Mount Rainier and is known to hike, bike and boat all year round. She also travels a fair amount, mostly to Alaska and Hawaii.
Want to know about Crissandra? She is inspired by Connecting with people and hearing their stories. “Everyone has a story!” Read more of Crissandra’s story below.
Q&A with Crissandra
Q: If you were the newest crayon in the box, what color would you be and why? A: Some hue of blue, as it reminds me of the calm of water but also the openness of the sky. It represents commitment, trust, and integrity.
Q: When you have 30 minutes of free time, what are you doing? A: Phoning a friend to catch up or reconnect.
Q: What is the coolest or most important trend you see today? A: Technology – everything about it … Crypto, NFTs, BNPL, Generative AI, etc. It’s fun trying to keep up with all this cool stuff!
Q: What is on your bucket list? A: Hiking the Grand Canyon, flying over Mount Rainier in a hot air balloon, touring Europe, writing a New York Times best-selling novel, winning an Olympic medal, playing an extra on Yellowstone, so many things!
Q: What are your pet peeves? A: Hang up and drive!
Q: What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child? A: My ET doll from the 1982 movie
Q: What is your favorite holiday? A: The 4th of July. Living on a lake, watching the fireworks on a boat – there is truly nothing better (especially if it’s a sunny holiday in Seattle).
Q: Do you have a motto or a mantra? What is it? A: Be all you can be. It was the slogan for the Army when I served, and I quickly adopted it. It means to have goals and pursue them relentlessly. Never settle!
Q: What would you do if you won the lottery? A: Well, how much are we talking? Honestly, I feel like I have already won the lottery of life!
Q: What is your guilty pleasure? A: Extra Toasty Cheez-Its
Q: If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Anything on the grill … and Cheez-its!
Q: Is the glass half empty or half full? A: The glass is half full, but I lean toward realist in most situations and try to depict things in the most factual, accurate way.
Q: What makes you laugh? A: The three grandkids I inherited thru marriage (10-8-2). They come up with the cutest sayings and crack me up!
Q: What is your personal brand statement? A: Connect, create, make a difference, and matter. Know the person. Know the magic. Connect the two.
Q: Best vacation you’ve taken? A: I eloped in Costa Rica. Best vacation (and decision) ever!
Q: Are you messy or organized? A: OCD!
Q: Do you have an office nickname? A: Mostly Cfry (started at Washington State Employees Credit Union years ago and has mostly stuck).
Q: What is your spirit animal? A: Must be dogs, since I never met a dog that I wouldn’t add to ‘my collection’.
Q: What book did you read last? A: The Book of Longings
Q: What is an ability you wish you had? A: Turn back time, just a little bit!
Q: What is on the radio in your car? A: Country music.
Q: What is your favorite 90’s jam? A: Did you see the Super Bowl LVI halftime show (Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J, Dr. Dre) … best 90s throwback ever.
Q: What chore do you hate? A: I love everything about water … except dish and clothes washing.
Q: Are you a hunter or a gatherer? A: A hunter, though I’ve been dubbed CNO (Chief Networking Officer). I love to meet new people and crack the code of ’six degrees of separation’, but nothing greater than the thrill of the hunt.
Q: What would the title of your autobiography be? A: Fancy like Applebee’s ?
Q: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? A: Frog Legs
Q: What was your first concert? A: Van Halen w/Sammy Hagar
Q: What does true leadership mean to you? A: Paying attention, making the person feel valued and special for their unique gifts and talents.
Q: What are your top three life highlights? A: Serving in the military, raising two great adult children, building a beautiful base of life-long friendships.
Q: Advice for new hires? A: Dig in, hang on, and enjoy every bit of the ride as this company is on task to do great things.
Q: Describe Engage fi in 5 words or less: A: “blend of expertise and enthusiasm”
Q: When are you happiest? A: When I’m on the water (kayaking, standup paddleboarding, boating, surfing or just blasting music. Nothing is better!
Q: What is your favorite thing or place in the city you live in? A: The sun, when the sun comes out in Seattle it is the most beautiful place on the planet!
Q: If you could learn to do any one thing, what would it be? A: Play drums. My oldest son is a drummer for a well-known local band. It’s the coolest thing watching him play … but I assure you, he didn’t get the rhythm from my side of the family!
Q: Have you ever met anyone famous? A: Wesley Snipes at the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC for the premier of “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything!”.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given? A: It’s not how you start … it’s how you finish.
Q: What is your definition of success? A: Raising two awesome men (one that calls me every day and the other mostly calls when he needs something).
Q: If you could pick one theme for Engage fi to turn into a book about the company, what would you choose? A: Bootstrap. The story of how the company formed and grew to where it is today is remarkable.
Employee Spotlight – Lisa St. Germain
The Employee Spotlight this month is on Lisa St. Germain. Lisa is a newer member of the Engage fi family. She joined the team in January as Vice...