Synergent’s mission is to ‘help credit unions succeed and improve the financial lives of their members.’ In our monthly Employee Spotlight series, we feature one of our dedicated staff members to help you get to know the people who are working as an extension of your credit union team.
Kristina Podoski
Kristina Podoski, Vice President of Finance & Accounting, is approaching her third year with the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent. In her role supporting both organizations, she plays a pivotal part in shaping strategy and leading her team to deliver insights and develop systems that move goals forward. With a collaborative, hands-on approach, Podoski contributes to everything from financial reporting to implementing new technologies, consistently bringing a vibrant spark and initiative to the work.
“My day typically includes leading the Finance & Accounting team, reviewing financial reports, coordinating budgeting efforts, and supporting leadership on strategic initiatives,” Podoski explained. “I’m also involved in managing audit coordination to ensure timely and accurate responses and documentation. While there’s consistency in the month-end close process, each month also brings new projects—like profitability analysis for new business opportunities or renewals—which keeps the work both structured and dynamic.”
From AVP to VP: A Career Forged in Financial Strategy
Whether she’s connecting with colleagues or diving into financials, Podoski’s approachable leadership and problem-solving mindset bring energy, focus, and purpose to each day. After coming on board in 2022, she has broadened her responsibilities, advancing from Assistant Vice President to Vice President while expanding her contributions to cross-functional collaboration and long-term planning.
“Since joining, my responsibilities have expanded to include deeper involvement in strategic planning and pricing analysis to support both new business and renewals,” Podoski noted. “I’ve also taken on a broader leadership role, transitioning from AVP to VP of Finance & Accounting, which has allowed me to support a growing team and continue driving cross-functional initiatives such as system transitions and process improvements.”
Building on this expanded leadership role, Podoski brought with her a career shaped by diverse experiences across industries and roles. Each opportunity added to her expertise in financial operations and strategic leadership, strengthening her ability to navigate complexity, guide teams, and shape long-term planning for evolving organizations.
“My career started in public accounting, followed by roles in regulatory accounting, private equity, and energy services,” Podoski shared. “Each position gave me experience in financial strategy, compliance, and leadership—all of which led naturally to my current role overseeing finance and accounting.”
These roles sharpened Podoski’s financial expertise and leadership strengths, preparing her for the multifaceted demands of her current role. She brings those strengths forward with a confident, collaborative style that makes her both reliable and easy to work with. Each transition strengthened her ability to adapt, collaborate across departments, and drive large-scale business goals.
From Data to Decisions: Guiding Credit Union Success
Today, Podoski channels that experience into guiding a team that plays an essential role in supporting both the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent’s credit union partners. For the League, the Finance & Accounting team ensures financial integrity through accurate budgeting, reporting, and campaign tracking, enabling effective advocacy, education, and community outreach. Additionally, they provide Synergent with essential pricing analysis, contract support, and fiscal oversight that ensure decisions are grounded in reliable data, strengthening operations across the organization.
“The Accounting and Finance department serves as a support function,” Podoski said. “Whether it’s through pricing analysis, budgeting insights, or accurate financial reporting, we aim to make data actionable. A key part of my team, Corporate Billing, ensures timely and accurate billing and prompt responses to inquiries from credit unions, which helps their own finance and accounting departments run more smoothly and efficiently.”
This focus on timeliness and accuracy doesn’t stand alone; it’s fueled by Podoski’s natural curiosity and drive for improvement. Her interest in finance runs deeper than the numbers, aligned with a strong desire to learn and a drive to understand how systems work and how they can work better.
“I’ve always appreciated the clarity and logic of finance,” Podoski reflected. “It provides a solid foundation for decision-making, and I enjoy the opportunity to build efficient systems and support teams. What keeps me here is the collaborative culture and the meaningful work we do for credit unions.”
Leading Financial Innovation Through System Upgrades
That same mindset has made guiding the team through major system improvements rewarding and energizing, and Podoski takes pride in managing complex updates and refining workflows. A major accomplishment was transitioning the department from a legacy accounting system to its cloud-based successor. She also helped lead the transition to electronic invoicing and played a key role in implementing a new platform for financial reporting and budgeting. Through these efforts, she has strengthened operational clarity and cross-team collaboration while also fostering a powerful sense of shared achievement and teamwork.
“I joined the team during a critical period of transitioning from one accounting system to another and was involved in coordinating financial data integration, validating system outputs, and supporting overall accuracy,” Podoski recalled. “At the same time, we shifted from paper-based invoicing to an online portal, which required reworking internal workflows and collaborating closely with other departments. Most recently, I helped lead the rollout of a new tool for budgeting and financial reporting—a significant initiative that has improved how we manage and analyze financial data across the organization. None of these projects would have gone as smoothly without the dedication and support of my team. Their commitment, flexibility, and attention to detail made all the difference in ensuring each transition was successful.”
Looking back, Podoski sees these system rollouts and process improvements not only as highlights of her time at the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent, but as meaningful opportunities to collaborate closely with her team. The variety of challenges and shared achievements that emerged from each transition are among the most fulfilling aspects of her work.
The Power of People: Fostering a Culture of Growth
When asked what she enjoys most about her role, Podoski didn’t hesitate: “The people and the variety. I work with a smart, committed team and enjoy finding ways to improve processes and deliver insights that make a real difference. I’m proud to be part of an organization that values both innovation and collaboration. It’s been a meaningful journey so far, and I’m excited for what’s next. I view every challenge as an opportunity to grow—and I truly believe in lifelong learning, both professionally and personally.”
Podoski’s forward-looking mindset, powered by optimism and a genuine eagerness to learn, reflects the culture she fosters, and the values shared by both organizations. She welcomes every opportunity to deepen her understanding of how credit unions operate and the cooperative principles that guide their work. Whether taking on a new finance project or learning more about member services, Podoski brings enthusiasm, openness, and a thoughtful mindset to every challenge.
“I’ve learned a lot about the credit union movement and the power of cooperative principles,” Podoski thoughtfully reflected. “Leading system transitions and process improvements has helped me grow both technically and as a leader. I’m a strong believer in lifelong learning, and this role continues to challenge and expand my skills in meaningful ways.”
A Career Driven by Momentum and Curiosity
When not immersed in financial strategy, Podoski finds inspiration outdoors, where she recharges and resets by spending time in nature.
“I enjoy starting my day with a good coffee and getting outside as much as possible,” Podoski shared. “Whether it’s wandering through new places, walking along the beach, or going for a hike, I find being outdoors a great way to recharge and stay inspired.”
Whether she’s hiking through the woods or streamlining a financial process, Podoski brings inquisitiveness, energy, and initiative to everything she does. Her bright personality, approachability, and can-do spirit make her someone who thrives on momentum and is always ready to explore what’s possible. These traits shape both her problem-solving style at work and her love of discovery beyond the office.
“I’m someone who brings the curiosity of a cat and the energy of a dog to everything I do—whether it’s solving a financial puzzle, leading a project, or just keeping up with the pace of change,” Podoski said with a smile. “That mix has served me well in a role that’s equal parts strategy, structure, and collaboration.”
With her thoughtful leadership, positivity, and commitment to constant growth, Podoski continues to be a driving force across both the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent, uplifting her colleagues and the credit unions they support.
