Meet Agent Lexi Ray
Lexi Ray started as a 4-H Youth Development Agent with Johnson County Research and Extension on April 17, 2023. Lexi was most recently working with youth and volunteers at Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka as the Director of Community Engagement. She worked with a diverse group of community volunteers, businesses and government entities to develop engaging volunteer opportunities, successful fundraising events and resource development for Boys & Girls Club Families.
Lexi has previously worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations including United Way of Greater Topeka as the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation as the Director of the Great Overland Station Museum and Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area as the Youth Camp Coordinator and Youth and Education Coordinator. In all of these roles she served as a community connector, heading fundraising efforts, developing programming for youth and managing volunteers and staff.
Lexi was born and raised in the Olathe area, having great summer jobs with Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site and the City of Olathe as a Park Safety Aide. With a love for history, Lexi earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in History with a Minor in Ethnic and Gender Studies from Emporia State University. In order to further her understanding and skills in leading informal public education, Lexi earned her Master’s in Museum Studies with an Emphasis in Education from the University of Kansas.
Some of Lexi’s interests include painting, wood burning, exploring country roads, photography, kayaking, going to concerts and traveling. Lexi enjoys spending time with her friends, family and her dog Juno; exploring all the great restaurants, nature trails and festivals our areas has to offer.
Lexi is very excited to be part of the Johnson County Extension office and to learn more about 4-H, the awesome families that we work with and how she can work with everyone to add to the 4-H and Youth Development experience.
(Lexi is pictured in the center on the right side of the photo.)