Our Team | Chain Reaction of Positive Influence

In 2022, Kristi Krings became CEO of Rachel’s Challenge after serving on the organization’s executive team since 2019. A speaker for Rachel’s Challenge since 2011, Kristi has delivered programs to more than one million students, educators, parents, and leaders through live and digital events focused on school culture, student connectedness, youth mental health, and upstream violence prevention.

Kristi regularly collaborates with state and national leaders on proactive approaches to school safety and prevention. Her work has included meetings and strategic discussions with leaders at the White House Domestic Policy Council, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other national organizations focused on youth well-being and school safety. She also recently served as a peer reviewer for national school safety guidance developed through a multi-agency federal initiative involving DHS, DOJ, DOE, and HHS.

Prior to joining Rachel’s Challenge, Kristi spent 15 years in business working with some of the world’s largest corporations — including Walmart, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, H&M, and Urban Outfitters — on digital marketing, ecommerce, strategic partnerships, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Kristi lives in Colorado with her husband of 20 years, Aric. She is an accomplished singer/songwriter and platinum recording artist under the name “Nation of One.” She enjoys creating music with her husband, a creative director and music producer. Kristi is also a winner of both the John Lennon Songwriting Competition and the Billboard Songwriting Competition.