Active Spotlight

Khrystyne Rasmussen and Paris McAdoo are, respectively, in their fourth and eighth active years with the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). These two women both sit on the JLC’s Education and Training Council where Paris is the Council Manager and Khrystyne is the chair of the Mentor Program. This Council, which includes four other programs besides the Mentor Program, is responsible for developing and executing all of the JLC’s signature training and leadership development programs. Both Paris and Khrystyne’s experiences over their years of service with the JLC have concentrated in internal placements, those which serve the JLC’s members and operations. Khrystyne previously worked with the Public Policy Institute and the Little Black Dress Initiative. This year, in addition to her manager role, Paris is a member of the Leader Framework and Member Transformation Board Task Force, previously served as the Training & Development Committee chair and worked with the Leadership Development Institute. We sat down with Khrystyne and Paris to find out more about their time with the JLC and what being a JLC Change Agent means to them.

First off, tell The CRIER readers a little bit about yourself.

KR: I’m a newlywed living in Pineville with my husband, a corgi puppy named Stella and a cat named Cosmo. I’m an attorney in Charlotte practicing insurance defense and civil litigation. I actually got my current job because of the JLC. I was looking for a job and posted about my experience in our Facebook group where I received a lead from another JLC member I had never met before. I’m originally from Lake Norman and moved to the Charlotte area immediately after graduating from law school. I like to spend my free time outdoors, hiking, kayaking and running. I am also involved in my neighborhood’s HOA and on my college’s Alumnae Board.

PM: I work in Architecture and Design, am a graduate of Hampton University and a current candidate for a Masters of Project Management at Georgetown University. I have spent most of my career in High-Rise Residential Design and I have a passion for traveling and experiencing architecture around the world.

Tell us what inspired you to join the JLC.

KR: As a proud alumna of a women’s college, I learned how much our world needs strong leaders in the community who aren’t afraid of change and who are willing to take a seat at the table. I saw how the JLC worked to better the community while empowering its leaders and knew that was a perfect fit for me. PM: When I joined the JLC, I was looking for a space that included like-minded women. Women who were passionate about their professions, their family, and most importantly, passionate about people. As an architect, I spend my days with men and on most occasions, I am the youngest, the only African-American and the only woman. I was looking for an organization that would allow me to serve my community but also uplift me personally. The JLC was a much needed resource after being in environments where my confidence and expertise are consistently challenged.

You’ve not only volunteered in the JLC, but you have stepped up and assumed leadership roles during your tenure. Why have you stayed in the JLC and what type of skills have you gained from your experience and these leadership roles?

KR: I’ve learned that the JLC is a safe space to cultivate my leadership skills. I’ve learned patience and how to balance the various elements of life (family, volunteering, friends and work). I’ve learned that growing as a leader is not always easy; sometimes you stumble but the JLC has the safety net and resources to help you along the way. PM: Training and Development is near and dear to my heart, and one of the key reasons why I love and enjoy being a member of the JLC. Since having joined this great group of women, I have personally grown both socially and professionally. I was very fortunate to meet several members that encouraged and supported me along the way. They took an interest in my individual development and I am forever grateful to those women. As a true introvert, it was difficult to step in and speak up. A past committee leader did a fantastic job of honing in on my specific skills and talents and tailored a League experience to help me fully engage. The experience and confidence gained, led me to serve in a number of leadership roles within the League and in other organizations. The development of others has become a true passion. Just as the Education and Training Council and the Training & Development Committee supported me and my journey, I want to serve as a resource of support for others who are on a journey of becoming their best selves. How have you leveraged these skills and experiences to be a change agent outside the JLC?

KR: I’ve learned I have to be patient with others to let them learn and grow, whether it be with my family or with my colleagues. These skills have inspired me to be more thoughtful in my actions and always to lend a helping hand before casting doubt and judgment. PM: The JLC has continuously made developing its membership a priority and has embraced the notion that personal development is fundamental for growth in all aspects of life. I have been able to use the skills and experiences received from the JLC in external arenas. I believe that the resources provided by the JLC are substantial and that all organizations that serve women should make personal and professional training a priority. I was able to use the skills learned from the JLC to create the Rho Psi Omega Leadership Academy within my sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Rho Psi Omega Chapter) to make sure that our officers were well trained internally and for the work they completed in the community. I felt this was important work and a way to assist in succession and legacy planning. This was a project near and dear to my heart, that has been a catalyst of changes in operations, community service and member mentorship. Tell us your favorite JLC experience or memory?

KR: My provisional year was by far my favorite year in the JLC because it presented me with so many opportunities and changes in such a very small window of time. We had one of our small group outings at Top Golf in south Charlotte and I remember being unbelievably nervous about spending time with people that I didn’t know. Over the course of only two hours, we all let our guard down and spent the most amazing evening laughing at each other’s golf skills, dancing and talking about all of the amazing things we wanted to accomplish during our time in the JLC. I am still incredibly close with those women today. PM: I have several great JLC memories. The one that comes to mind first is when Training & Development won Placement of the Year. The committee was small and previously had a high turnover of leadership struggling to find its direction and footprint. I worked really close with the chair to turn things around and we became one of the more popular internal placements, becoming known as the committee with the cool t-shirts. I really felt like I was a part of something great. What is something others don’t know about you?

KR: I played the tuba in my high school marching band. PM: I think very few people know that I am a huge sports fan. I love all sports. I’m not competitive at all, but I enjoy a good game. Basketball is at the top of the list. Although I’m a die hard NY Knicks Fan, I hold season tickets for the Charlotte Hornets.

The JLC is fortunate to have women like Khrystyne and Paris within its membership who have stayed involved and committed to serving its members year over year. We can’t wait to see how they continue to impact the Charlotte community and the JLC as change agents in the future!