Christina Funches-Springer
Christina Funches-Springer is a results-driven Project Analyst and Senior System Administrator at American Express, where she specializes in driving project success through technical expertise, operational efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration. With over a decade of experience in information technology and business systems, she has built a reputation for solving complex challenges, optimizing system performance, and translating intricate technical concepts into actionable strategies that support organizational goals.
Throughout her career, Christina has demonstrated a strong ability to lead large-scale initiatives, streamline processes, and enhance user experiences across enterprise systems. As a subject matter expert in Salesforce administration, she plays a critical role in managing system integrity, user access, and data sensitivity while also supporting AI and API integrations. Her background spans incident management, technical support, and business analysis, including impactful roles with organizations such as eBay, where she contributed to system stability, root cause analysis, and high-priority incident resolution.
Beyond her technical accomplishments, Christina brings a thoughtful and inclusive leadership approach shaped by her experience as a neurodivergent professional and working parent. She is passionate about building efficient, collaborative environments that empower teams and promote innovation. Looking ahead, she is committed to expanding her impact through mentorship and aspires to launch a nonprofit focused on youth development, combining technology education with opportunities for underserved communities to explore careers in IT and beyond.
• - B.S. in Marine Biology and Zoology
• - Minor in Computer Science
• - Minor in Early Childhood Development
• - A.S. in Network Administration
• - Currently Pursuing Degree in Cybersecurity
• Quarterly Awards from American Express Department
• MVP Awards from American Express Department
• IT Network Group on LinkedIn in Alabama
• Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority Incorporated (Alum)
• Plans to start nonprofit for animal rehabilitation and youth outreach combining science and technology education
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say a big contributor to my success would be the support that I've received over the years from my family, as well as managers and supervisors that I've had in the past that have supported and encouraged me to keep pushing myself to learn more, to develop more, to never stop learning. Because it has opened different opportunities for me that I wouldn't have had if I just stayed in a box. My biggest mentor for most of my life would have to be, first and foremost, my mom. She showed me the foundation for my work ethic, being a primarily single mom raising 3 kids in the military and juggling the kids with vast age gaps between us. She moved up in ranks while she was in the military, and when I was in high school, she went back to school to ITT Tech for a computer science degree. Seeing that she still kept on pushing herself to go higher and didn't just stay stagnant where she was, even though it may have felt comfortable, she kept pushing herself more. Outside of that, not necessarily a personal mentor, but more of a role model I had looked up to growing up was Maya Angelou. I always found, when I felt having struggle going through things, reading back on her poetry and her story, finding that source of inspiration to keep going when things got tough.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is don't stay complacent. If you're doing a job that you find is becoming mundane, you're feeling like a robot doing it, or you're not finding it being challenging or a passion for it, look for something different and keep your eyes open. Even if it's something that's going outside of your comfort zone, take a leap at it, because you never know where it will land you and the doors that'll open for you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give is don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo, even if it may feel uncomfortable. It's better to put yourself out there and show that you're willing to take a challenge than to stay in the shadows. Because if you stay in the shadows, you're more likely to be overlooked, where if you take a chance, a higher-up will remember you more.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I see right now is that there's still the stigma that IT is a male-dominated field. Even though there are more women coming into the field, it's one of those things that you're always having to still keep that mindset of trying to see how you can shine and outshine the male population in the field. Even though it should feel more collaborative, you're always going to have that piece where you're going to want to set yourself up to kind of be always trying to be one step ahead.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values are that integrity and honesty are two topmost priorities. As well as helping others, because if you help others, you also help yourself at the same time, not as a beneficial game, but indirectly you are building your own skill set for leadership positions in the future when you're willing to give that extra helping hand to someone else that you may see is struggling, rather than just keeping your head down and only focusing on your own work.