CDF Capital Staff Highlight: Kristen Raskulinecz
Kristen Raskulinecz, People Services Director at CDF Capital, absolutely loves her job. She has been with the company since November of 2013, and she considers it a blessing to work in Human Resources, given it is what she has known for most of her career. Working with people, because of her togetherness-oriented personality, is what keeps Kristen moving in a work environment that’s both spiritual and communal in nature.
“Helping people and helping churches grow for me is just a culmination of a 20-year HR career,” Kristen reflected. “Having worked in HR in other industries, I felt like I couldn’t really be my whole self.”
Because of Kristen’s deep-rooted spirituality, being on the CDF Capital team has allowed her to come into her full self in ways other organizations didn’t allow her to.
“I get to meld the two together,” Kristen explained. “I get to grow in the Kingdom. At the same time, I’m able to use my gifts and my talents. I get to watch churches flourish, and that’s really special to me.”
Kristen further explained that the driving factor for her decision to join the CDF Capital team nearly a decade ago was its emphasis on Kingdom business. She has experienced in the past, while working in Christian-based financial organizations, an over-emphasis on being heavily money-driven. Finances, according to Kristen, always took a front seat to growing the Kingdom of God. She describes her previous work experience in other industries as taking a toll on a person’s character development.
Contrasting her previous endeavors with what Kristen can accomplish with CDF Capital has been a renewal of sorts and a breath of fresh air.
“Being here is the best job I’ve ever had, mainly because of the culture. It’s like Disneyland.” Kristen said. “It’s just far better than any other company I’ve worked for. I love recruiting for this company and telling people how congruent your spiritual side and work side can be. I love that and I don’t want to leave.”
“Being here is the best job I’ve ever had, mainly because of the culture. It’s like Disneyland.”—Kristen Raskulinecz
Kristen’s enthusiasm for CDF Capital’s focus on Kingdom growth parallels her personal zeal and involvement in her own community and in her local church. People grow around other people, and people flourish when in community, Kristen said. Her personal communal philosophy has fused so well with CDF Capital. She explains that it continues to help her flourish as a director.
“Fellowship is really important,” Kristen said. “This pandemic, for example, has exposed the fact that it’s really difficult for people to be separated from each other. The fellowship is really important. Being together is really important.”
Understanding the importance of togetherness for the thriving of human connection has allowed Kristen to keep the rest of her fellow employees motivated during this pandemic season. Kristen also believes that how the Church reengages with one another, post-pandemic, is what’s going to solidify the Kingdom moving forward. Our togetherness, she says, will show the beauty of the Kingdom of God.
“The worst part of the pandemic, for me, was the isolation,” Kristen said. “But we’ve had to find a different way to be able to connect. Talking with others on the phone, in our chat rooms, was able to energize me and others as well.
“In many ways, we’ve been able to develop strong relationships with one another, despite the distance,” Kristen continued. “We’ve learned a lot of great lessons along the way. I think we’re going to be much more appreciative.”
“I love our mission of just getting behind the churches and pushing as many churches to affect as many people, as many congregants, as many baptisms, as many people touched as possible.”—Kristen Raskulinecz
For Kristen, the ability to transition well is very important. Having been with CDF Capital for nearly a decade, Kristen has seen a good share of well-adjusted transitions within the company. But great transitions are only possible when an organization’s mission is solid.
“I love our mission of just getting behind the churches and pushing as many churches to affect as many people, as many congregants, as many baptisms, as many people touched as possible,” Kristen said. “That’s the legacy I want to leave behind. I’m not the one writing loans. That’s not my gift. But I’m here to bring the best possible candidates to this company to be able to make that possible.”
Transforming Churches
God calls His people into a story of transformation. At CDF Capital, we help Christians and churches embrace their part in His story by providing the 3 kinds of capital every congregation needs for growth. See how you can play a part in the story of transformation.
