Kristi A. Matus

Kristi Matus has built a remarkable career characterized by significant achievements in executive leadership roles across various industries. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which laid the foundation for her expertise in strategic financial planning and business management.

Career Path and Contributions

Kristi's career path is impressive, marked by her contributions to several high-profile companies. Her journey in executive leadership began at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, where she served from 1990 to 2002 in various roles, including Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the bank and as an actuary.

She then joined USAA, a company known for its financial services, where she held multiple senior roles from 2002 to 2012. These positions included Chief Financial Officer (CFO), President of Life Insurance and Investment Services, and President of the Life Insurance Company, where she significantly influenced the company's growth and strategy.

Further Executive Roles

Kristi continued her trajectory at Aetna between 2012 and 2013 as EVP for Government Services, overseeing critical areas like Medicare, Medicaid, Public & Labor, and the Federal Employee Health Plan businesses. Following Aetna, she played a pivotal role at athenahealth from 2014 to 2016 as EVP, CFO, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), managing essential administrative functions such as finance, HR, legal, and internal IT.

Diverse Experience and Leadership

Her diverse experience also includes serving as Executive Advisor at Thomas H Lee Partners and participating in various board roles. Notably, she has chaired committees at several organizations, including Cerence Inc., Ambac, and AllianceBernstein. Her tenure at Buckle as CFO/COO from 2020 to 2022 further showcases her ability to handle financial and operational leadership.

Consistent Expertise and Influence

Throughout her career, Kristi has consistently demonstrated expertise in driving enterprise value, managing financial operations, and providing inspirational leadership. Her strategic vision and experience have earned her numerous board memberships and advisory roles, underlining her influence and leadership in the business world.

LinkedIn Presence

With a presence on LinkedIn since 2007, Kristi has amassed a following of over 4,400 individuals, a testament to her impact and standing in her field. Her skills span various aspects of financial services, including mergers, investments, risk management, and wealth management, all contributing to her reputation as an outstanding leader focused on customer experience and enterprise growth.