Meet our August Alumna Spotlight: Christine Mathews Holmes

Our August Spotlight features Christine Mathews Holmes, a former Chapter President of the Alpha Mu Chapter!

Name: Christine Mathews Holmes

Theta Member Class: 2006

Major/Degree and Graduation Year: BSBA Finance, 2010

Hometown: Weston, Missouri

Where you live now: Heath, Texas, just outside of Dallas

What have you been up to since graduation?

After graduation, I started at AT&T in their rotational Leadership Development Program (class of 2010) and spent 13 years at AT&T working in various roles and climbing through the ranks. Over the course of 13 years, I moved into a new rotation almost yearly allowing me to move around the business and learn as much as possible, fueling my ability to grow into higher levels of leadership. The work I did spanned our consumer product set (wireless and broadband) and covered everything from retail sales, field operations, new product execution, technology strategy, hyper automation and AI Development, cost structure transformation and network operations (both fiber and wireless).

I was fortunate to  learn from some incredible industry leaders and that ultimately led to me leaving AT&T as an Assistant Vice President in 2023 and moving to Optimum (a smaller telecommunications company based out of New York) as a Vice President running field operations in our highest growth areas. Since joining Optimum (I’ve kept the rotational vibes going), and was asked to lead our cost transformation program across the company, I’ve been hard at work building that program and team.

In addition to my professional journey, I’ve also consistently tried to find ways to give back, especially as it relates to Mizzou. After college, I started with AT&T in Chicago and lived there for a few years — only having Mizzou and Theta connections in that new city really set me on a path to lean into the Mizzou network and find ways to connect with Mizzou alums wherever I went. When I moved to Dallas a few years later, I started volunteering as part of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Mizzou Alumni Chapter board and things really grew from there. I’ve served locally and also just completed 4 years on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors. That was a really rewarding experience that allowed me to work strategically with Mizzou alums from all disciplines/generations as we continue to support Mizzou and Mizzou Alums. In 2015, I decided to complete my MBA while working and enrolled in the Trulaske College of Business execMBA program (shocker that I found a way to do a program at Mizzou!) and completed that in 2017. Going to school while working full time is hard, but if you’re going to do it, I would highly recommend a program that gives you excuses to go back to CoMO!

Christine with Thetas at her wedding in 2021

Somewhere along the way in all of that, I also stumbled upon a really great Texas cowboy who I ended up marrying in 2021. It just so happened that he had also been involved in Greek Life, so needless to say, things really worked out!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

If you would have asked me 15 years ago what I would be doing, I don’t even think I knew how to spell telecommunications, but I have really loved learning and growing in this industry. While it’s been around for over a century, it’s constantly evolving which means there is always a new learning opportunity and challenge at your doorstep. I also love that the developments and strides made in this industry is what allows (at its most basic level) human connection to happen at massive scale and without boundaries. It’s a powerful thing to think that all modern governments, industry, and populations literally are fueled by the ability to be connected and exchange data!

What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in?

I love Dallas for many reasons – it’s such a fun, vibrant city that has so much to offer; sports, music, food, outdoors (especially boating) – Texas has become home and as much as I love my Missouri roots, I don’t plan on leaving the Lone Star state anytime soon! I also love that Dallas is centrally located and makes it easy for travel. My husband and I love to travel so having Love Field and DFW airports just down the road makes it that much easier!

What do you miss most about Mizzou?

The Theta house and the fall season at Mizzou! Hands down my favorite part of my Mizzou experience was Theta, especially the years I lived in the house. Living in such a gorgeous home with all of your best friends is simply the best and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I especially loved breakfast down in the kitchen where we shared stories and laughed until our cheeks hurt after a fun day/evening/weekend of shenanigans!

Annual Girls Trip to Cabo!

What is one thing you took away from being a part of Theta in college that has shaped you into the woman you are today?

Sisterhood. Growing up with three sisters, I have always been incredibly close with them and they truly have been my best friends from the beginning. Heading off to college, I wasn’t sure what Mizzou would bring (especially coming from a small town) and I was frankly a bit homesick at first. It took some time, but when I look back, I could see how joining Theta really helped me blossom into my best self. My Theta sisters supported, encouraged, and helped bring out the best in me. Because of that strong bond — women supporting women — I’ve been able to reach heights both personally and professionally that I never thought would be possible. The great part of all of this? Theta is truly for a lifetime. I absolutely love that a group of us Thetas get together every year and take a trip somewhere, no matter what. We started doing it the year we turned 30 and are quickly approaching a decade of trips. These trips are more than just a weekend but a time to reconnect, laugh (maybe cry a little), support, and encourage each other. Through life’s ups and downs, my Theta sisters have been through it all with me and because of our collective bond, I know that no matter what life throws my way, my Theta sisters are forever.

The Guest Suites Thetas during Greek Week

What is your favorite memory from your time in Theta?

It’s hard to name just one, but my last semester on Exec, a handful of us officers lived in Guest Suites at the Theta house. It was a semester unlike any other. Somehow, this small town girl found herself as President of Theta that year, and while that role stretched me as a leader, it was incredible that I was leading along my best friends and it just felt like we could take on the world. Pair that experience with the shenanigans we were known for, and it just created one of the sweetest seasons of memories.

Do you have any advice for our underclassmen?

Get involved — but not just showing up. Take on a leadership role, push yourself to do something you haven’t done before with people you don’t know… you won’t regret it! It’s never too late to get to know a fellow Theta — while Theta is a big sisterhood, no matter what your close circle may look like, it’s never too late to get to know a Theta. I’ve loved staying connected to women in Theta over the years, and while I may not have been as close with all of them, I’ve found that it’s never too late to grab a coffee and get to know them. It’s such a gift to connect/re-connect with women you share a foundational set of core beliefs with!

Thetas from MC 06 on Tap Day

Anything else you’d like to add?

Fun fact — I am the 2nd of 4 girls and while neither of my parents were Greek, they both were very passionate about involvement, pushing yourself, and honing your leadership skills. Throughout all of high school, my sisters and I were all very involved in clubs, sports, music, you name it. While my older sister Sarah wasn’t a Theta, a really cool thing is that all 4 of us joined a sorority and we all had the honor of serving as presidents in our chapters. Myself and my two younger sisters (Molly and Mariah Mathews) were all Alpha Mu Theta Presidents at one point during our time on campus. If you are at 603 Kentucky Blvd, you’ll see one of the rooms right off the landing on the 2nd floor where there’s a nameplate with the “Mathews Sisters” (Christine, Molly, and Mariah). It’s fun to share such a special bond with all my sisters and we’re all grateful for the opportunity that Greek Life gave us to lead and grow at such a young and formative time!

The three Mathews sisters that were Alpha Mu Chapter Presidents, Christine with her sisters Molly and Mariah.