Kristi Mayes, CRPC™

I attribute my success to my ability to truly listen and pay close attention to what others are saying. I take the time to understand what is essential versus what is not, which allows me to better interpret needs and serve people in a meaningful way. I focus on being present and intentional in every interaction, which has been key to my effectiveness. In terms of challenges, I am fortunate to be doing work I genuinely enjoy after a 12-year retirement, so I don’t really see obstacles in my day-to-day—aside from the simple decision of what to wear each morning.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came early in my career when I wasn’t sure I had enough experience to truly help others. My father told me, “Mickey Mantle wasn’t born a baseball star—he had to practice,” and that perspective stayed with me. It reminded me that success doesn’t happen overnight and that you become good at what you do through consistent effort, learning, and growth. That advice has guided me to keep moving forward, stay committed, and continually improve through practice and experience.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to ask questions and never be afraid to speak up. Learning is a powerful tool, and curiosity is something that should be embraced rather than held back. The right people in the industry will welcome your questions, value your perspective, and support your growth. Stay open, stay engaged, and trust that your willingness to learn will help you build confidence and become successful over time.

I don’t really see challenges in my work because I genuinely do what I love and show up each day by choice. After a 12-year retirement, I found myself wanting to be back in my element, so the only small daily decision I consider a “challenge” is what I’m going to wear. The opportunities, however, are incredible. I get to meet a wide range of people, and it’s very fulfilling to help those who have done well in life but feel overwhelmed by their financial picture. I enjoy bringing clarity, structure, and logic to their situation and helping them turn it into a clear, actionable plan so they can confidently achieve their goals.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are truth and honesty. I believe strongly in doing what feels right and what brings a sense of fulfillment, because without that, it’s difficult to live a genuinely happy life. I also believe that everyone is meant to live a meaningful, fulfilled life, and that extends into how we treat and impact others. For me, work should not only be purposeful but should also contribute to helping others feel supported, valued, and better off than they were before.