About Kristina
Two decades of finance, lending, and real estate experience — grounded in integrity, driven by relationships.
Experienced. Credible. Relationship-Driven.
With a background spanning more than two decades in real estate, finance, lending, and entrepreneurship, I bring a strategic and relationship-driven approach to real estate investment and development. My journey in real estate began in 1998 managing a small property in Illinois, followed by owning and operating rental property in Chicago beginning in 2002. These early experiences provided firsthand knowledge of property management, tenant relations, operations, and the long-term value of real estate ownership.
My professional career began in the financial industry with Forsyth Securities Inc, where I worked alongside hedge fund managers and portfolio teams supporting research initiatives and cultivating relationships tied to multimillion and billion-dollar asset portfolios. This experience strengthened my understanding of market analysis, investor relations, and disciplined financial strategy.
"We lean in on protecting your financial freedom."
— Kristina Petterson BauerI later advanced into the mortgage and residential lending industry with Residential Finance Corporation, where I consistently ranked among the top producers nationwide in a highly competitive, male-dominated industry. Known by colleagues as "Bauerpower," I generated between $500,000 and $1 million in residential mortgage volume monthly while independently managing client relationships, loan coordination, compliance, and operational quality control.
In addition to my finance and real estate background, I also owned and operated a successful yoga and wellness studio for 14 years while raising four children. That experience further strengthened my leadership, business operations, client relations, and community-building skills — all of which continue to influence my approach to business and investing today.
My passion for real estate has continued to evolve into multifamily investing, strategic acquisitions, and long-term value creation through real assets. I am a partner in a 70-unit multifamily asset in Columbus, and I hold a B.S. in International Business from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Dean's List).
Today, my focus is on identifying strategic investment opportunities, building strong partnerships, and developing value-driven real estate projects designed for sustainable growth, community impact, and long-term success.
What I Bring to Every Partnership
Mentors & Business Partner
Strong real estate investing is never done alone. The relationships, mentorship, and partnerships that shape our approach are as important as the deals themselves. These are the people who have helped define Freedom Financial Partners.
Cecilia is a driving force in the multifamily industry, helping organizations strengthen operations, develop high-performing leadership teams, and unlock the full potential of their real estate portfolios. As founder of NexGen Legacy, she works with multifamily owners and operators to design systems and strategies that transform properties into high-performing assets — with a focus on scalable operations, portfolio performance, and long-term community impact.
Visit NexGen Legacy →
Veena Jetti is a founding partner of Vive Funds, a commercial real estate firm specializing in curating conservative investment opportunities. With over a decade of experience and $1B+ in real estate assets, Veena brings a dynamic perspective to targeting, acquiring, managing, and operating multifamily assets. Kristina completed Veena's Multifamily Real Estate Investing Masterclass, which has been a foundational influence on Freedom Financial Partners' investment approach and strategy.
Visit Veena Jetti →Women Who Invest Together
"The strength of our community is what sets us apart. We don't just invest in properties — we invest in each other."— Kristina Petterson Bauer
Investor Interest & Current Deals
Whether you're an accredited investor, a development partner, or a professional seeking a strategic investment relationship — we'd welcome the conversation.