Her Story
About Kriste
Kriste Ryan is a dedicated youth development leader and community engagement professional who serves as a Unit Growth Executive with Longhorn Council, Scouting America. With more than two decades of volunteer experience in Scouting, she has transformed her passion into a career focused on expanding access to leadership opportunities for young people. In her role, she works to grow membership, establish new Scout units, and build strong partnerships with schools, faith-based organizations, and community groups—particularly in underserved and emerging areas. Her work is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the chance to develop confidence, character, and leadership skills through meaningful experiences. Kriste’s career is defined by her ability to connect people, build relationships, and promote sustainable youth programs that strengthen communities. She is highly engaged in grassroots outreach, frequently attending community events, visiting schools, and organizing recruitment initiatives to introduce families to Scouting. Her approach blends strategic growth with hands-on involvement, ensuring that new units are not only launched successfully but are also supported for long-term impact. Prior to her current role, she built a strong foundation in customer service and operations, bringing a people-first mindset and strong communication skills into her work with volunteers, families, and community stakeholders. For Kriste, Scouting is deeply personal. As a proud parent of four children who have all participated in the program—including a son and daughter who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout—she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of Scouting in shaping young leaders. Her longstanding volunteer service and leadership roles reflect her commitment to mentorship, service, and lifelong learning. Guided by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law, Kriste continues to dedicate her work to developing future leaders, fostering community connection, and leaving a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the youth and families she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kriste
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having the knowledge of how scouting can benefit families. All four of my children have gone through the Scouting America (formerly called Boy Scouts of America) program, and in 2019, when it was opened up to girls, my daughter switched from another scouting program into Scouts BSA and she earned her Eagle. Seeing the turnaround, especially in her, because she was such a shy little girl, and then becoming the youth leader who ran NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) for approximately 50 youth participants and 40 staff members, where she was charge of everything - the program, the participants, and the staff (both youth and adults). That transformation, and seeing the difference in youth from when somebody joins the program until they turn 18 - the difference in their work life, their community life, their school life, their family life - everything is just phenomenal. That personal experience and knowledge is what drives my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is actually what I tell a lot of my scouts when I was leading a unit myself: believe in yourself. Set your goal, believe that you can hit that goal, and take every step you can to reach it. And don't be afraid of failure because "failure" is simply a learning opportunity. This simple but powerful advice has guided me throughout my journey, both as a volunteer and now as a professional in the scouting field.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this field to never stop learning. If you don't know the answer, don't be afraid to ask the questions, and help find the answer either through your own research or with the advice of others. Learn as much as you can, participate as much as you can, and have fun. That's one of the key things too - to have fun. The work we do is rewarding, and maintaining that sense of enjoyment and curiosity while continuously building your knowledge is essential to success in this field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is getting the adult volunteers that we need in order to successfully run the program. It's not just about recruiting youth - we also have to recruit adults to help lead these youth through the program. Finding dedicated adult volunteers who can commit their time and energy to guiding young people is essential to the success of scouting, and that remains our most significant challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are the 12 values of the Scout Law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. These are the ideals that I can get behind and follow throughout my life. They guide not only how I approach my professional work with Scouting America, but also how I live my personal life and interact with my family and community. These timeless values represent the foundation of character development that I've seen transform young people over my 27 years of involvement with scouting.
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