Kristi lives on Circle S Farms in Olmsted, Illinois, with her husband and two children, where they run a small commercial cow-calf operation specializing in farm-to-table freezer beef. In her professional life, she serves as the 4-H Youth Development Educator for Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union Counties through the University of Illinois Extension. Additionally, Kristi holds statewide responsibilities with Illinois 4-H and contributes to various leadership roles in organizations such as the Illinois Extension Association of Youth Development Professionals and the Beyond Ready Leadership Team.
From 2002 to 2014, Mrs. Stout was an elementary teacher, reading specialist, and Title One Reading Director for an elementary school in Carbondale, Illinois. With over a decade of experience in youth development, Kristi has made significant contributions. She is a co-chair and author of the "Welcome to the Real World" (WTTRW) curriculum, which was revised and expanded in 2023 to include twenty-two new lessons. Her dedication to growing Illinois 4-H programming is evident in her leadership in enrolling over 1,000 unduplicated youth in the last two years.
Kristi’s educational background includes degrees from John A. Logan College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), and Walden University. She is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University. Her research focuses on leadership styles among education professionals and their positive impact on youth programs. Kristi is passionate about the power of youth development and believes in the transformative impact of education through the 4-H program.