PHOENIX (STN) â If you had asked Christina Flores in her early 20s what she wanted to be, she probably would have told you she had her heart set on fashion. In fact, she was already working in the industry. But not long after, she realized she wasnât sure if that was the case.
âI was a 20-something who didnât really know what I wanted to do with my life,â she said.
Thanks to the mentorship of her boss at the time, Flores returned to school and ended up working a part-time job at a bank.
âI actually never intended to be in financial services for 20 years,â she said. âI just kept growing, and I landed in human resources kind of by default.â
In the summer of 2024, Flores moved to Arizona and took over as executive vice president and chief people and culture officer at OneAZ Credit Union. Three weeks later, she sat down with the STN team to talk about her journey, the role good mentorship continues to play in it, and what she hopes to accomplish at OneAZ.
Watch the video from the show and read the extended, exclusive transcript of her interview below.
This transcript has been edited for clarity and consistency.
CHRISTINA FLORES:
I’m Christina Flores. I’m the Chief and People Culture Officer at OneAZ Credit Union.
STN:
We want to start with some of your backstory. So, where are you from originally? What was growing up like for you?
CF:
Where I’m from is a fun story. My grandmother was born in Metcalf, Arizona in 1910. Her parents were married in Greenlee [County]. So, deep roots. My family grew up primarily in Texas, Arizona, and California, but my grandmother fell in love and moved to California. So, I’m pretty much [a] third-generation Californian.
Growing up, I would say it was like the California dream in the sense that it was riding your bike into the sunset late in the evening in really diverse neighborhoods. I remember having gumbo for the first time at my Creole neighbor’s house. It started my foodie adventure. It was a really great time growing up in LA. Lots of nature hikes and enjoying the beach.
STN:
Youâve had, essentially, 20 years in human resources work. Before all that, what was the moment, event, or person that helped inspire and mold you to be the person you are today?
CF:
My grandmother grew up in Arizona at a different time when there was a lot of segregation against Mexicans. She was not allowed to speak Spanish in her household. She had a lot of dreams and aspirations to be a nurse. I look at her and think she’s probably one of the most amazing humans I’ve ever known in my life. She’s always been kind and always seen the good in people and she really inspired me to pursue my dreams.
Oddly enough, I actually never intended to be in financial services for 20 years. I started in the fashion industry and I had a boss that was really amazing, [and] had lots of grace. I was a 20-something who didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life, and she told me, âGo back to school, [and] pursue something that you’re really passionate about.â
I ended up starting part-time in the banking industry and I never looked back. I just kept growing and I landed in human resources kind of by default
STN:
You read my mind as to where we are going next. Talk about the journey that led you to OneAZ.
CF:
Working in financial services, there are lots of opportunities to solve business problems. I’ve always enjoyed that. Helping people grow, [and] seeing them reach their full potential, doesn’t change as a chief people culture officer. What attracted me to OneAZ is their dedication to the community and trying to build a purpose-driven organization. I just got a sense when I interviewed with them that they were authentic in terms of the difference and impact they were making in the community.
STN:
You just recently started in that position with OneAZ. What has been your impression so far?
CF:
I moved to Arizona three weeks ago to start my new position. It’s been such a great experience. I have never been happier in my career. I just feel there’s a sense of care and authenticity.
At OneAZ, they’re really dynamic, innovators, and real trailblazers for the business. Also putting people first in the organization. I see it through and through. I see it in action.
I have no regrets about making that change.
âI was a 20-something who didnât really know what I wanted to do with my life.”
Christina Flores
STN:
It seems that you have a strong drive for community engagement and helping one another. What drives the passion for the social transformation you’re currently seeking?
CF:
My family history. Knowing my parents growing up didn’t have a whole lot. They grew up in poverty and I feel like they always made it a point that no matter what you have, you do what you can to the best of your ability and give back and do good. That has resonated with me throughout my whole life. And I feel like I have so much to give.
Everywhere I go, I talk to people. I get to know their stories. That’s what really makes me alive inside â to see people growing and reaching their fullest potential in life. That’s what I want for myself and I want that for others.
STN :
When it comes to leading that type of effort, what do you look for in other leaders and community change-makers that you want to work with?
CF:
I look for passion and purpose. When you’re trying to make change in the world and your communities, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I like to surround myself with people who are like-minded and passionate. You can feel that energy that they are willing to go above and beyond to make people’s lives better.
STN:
Building on that, how do you like to be approached for partnership and collaboration opportunities?
CF:
I’m very open and, again, I love to find out people’s stories. They can reach out to me on LinkedIn, they can email me at OneAZ, or just invite me to your next networking event. I’d love to help serve and get to know your organization.
STN:
Taking into consideration that you are still new to OneAZ and the Phoenix area, what are you looking to accomplish? What impact do you want to make in your organization and the community through your leadership?
CF:
I am trying to lead by example and show people what it takes to transform culture. That means, as a leader, you’re willing to do the work and put in investment in caring for people so that they can then pay it forward and do the same for others.
STN:
Looking beyond the short term and looking into the future, what hopes and expectations do you have for your organization moving forward?
CF:
To do amazing things. I am so looking forward to the future. I have an amazing executive team and CEO that I work with and my people and culture team is amazing. The employees are amazing. I feel like [with] that energy and that drive and that passion, there’s nothing stopping us in the future.
There’s no limit to what we can achieve together.
STN:
When you think about what youâve done and what you still want to accomplish, do you have a quote, a one-liner, or a mantra that you tend to draw inspiration from?
CF:
One of my favorite mantras right now, especially in this time of change and risk for me, but good risk is, âOh my darling, what if I fall? Oh my darling, what if you fly?
Sometimes you just have to put your wings into the air and just fly and just take the risks and lean towards change. When I left my other organization, I made a video appreciating all the people that I had [met] through my journey. It was nine years.
At the end of the video, there’s this one sculpture in Chicago along Michigan Avenue that has these big golden wings. So I put that quote, âOh my darling, what if I fall? Oh my darling, what if you fly?â
I was like, âI’m out of here. I’m on to fly.â
