Kristi Demetric Ann Matthews

Kristi Demetric Ann Matthews was born in Franklin, Louisiana to the late Pauline and Kirt Matthews on June 21, 1979. Her early life was spent in Franklin, Louisiana. During her formative years, she moved to Houston, Texas. Kristi, a woman of God, was steadfast in her faith. She confessed Christ at the age of seven years old and was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Franklin, Louisiana.
Kristi attended LaGrange Elementary during her grade school years. She then accelerated to middle school at Attucks Middle School and graduated high school from Dwight D. Eisenhower in the top of her class. During high school, Kristi participated in extracurricular activities including cheerleading, basketball, track, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She devoted her life of service, love, and leadership as she daydreamed on a wooden swing on the porch of her grandmother's home. It was there that she began dreaming of becoming an attorney. Those many hours of wide-eyed wondering primed Kristi's passion for success and paved her path to the remarkable career for which she is renowned.
Upon graduation from high school, Kristi went on to pursue her post-secondary education at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. During her time at Spelman, she pursued her passions in performing arts and social justice while earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Theatre. Her lifelong love for politics, debate skills, and oratorical passion led her to further pursue a Master of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Theatre. She didn't stop there, she further her education by pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Leeds in Leeds, England. As a Rotary Ambassadorial Fellow, Kristi traveled throughout Europe, sparking her passion for international travel and adventure. In 2003, Kristi began her studies at the University of California School of Law in Los Angeles, California.
After obtaining her Juris Doctorate in 2006, Kristi returned to Atlanta where she joined the City of Atlanta Department of Law as Senior Counsel – Labor, Employment & Litigation. During her tenure with the City of Atlanta, Kristi also served as the Human Resources Director of Labor and Employee Relations. After nearly 10 years of municipal service, Kristi transitioned to corporate law. Her first corporate role was serving as the Senior Counsel – Labor and Employment, Ethics and Compliance with Newell Brands, Inc. During that time, Kristi was able to further develop her passion for employment law. In 2020, Kristi accepted her current role as Senior Managing Counsel – Employment, Inclusion and Diversity, and Social Impact at Visa USE, Inc. It was in this position that Kristi was able to joyfully unite her aspirations for employment law and social justice.
Throughout her legal education and career, Kristi was very active in the National Bar Association where she served as a Deputy General Counsel. Kristi was honored in 2016 when she received the 2022 Women Lawyers Division In-House Counsel Award. She passionately championed equitable justice and was an active philanthropist. Kristi devoted time to several organizations that she served as a board member and deeply cherished, while yet finding the time to nurture "Pauline's Promise" co-founded with her sister and named after their mother. Kristi was not someone you merely met; she was someone you experienced with time. She made deep and meaningful relations throughout her life all with her sparkling smile and bubbly personality. Kristi's love for her family, friends, community, enthusiasm for education, theater, social justice, and law were the driving forces in her life. She created a life full of joy and adventure. Kristi was beautiful, brilliant, resilient and a light to everyone who knew her. Her life exemplified the blessings of wisdom, goodness, generosity, and vitality. We will forever be inspired by her effortless grace. She traveled far, enjoyed life to the fullest, and committed herself to a life of excellence, impassioned purpose, and love. Kristi was a bright light and will warm our hearts for many years to come.
Kristi was preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Kirt Matthews, and grandparent, Evelyn Rose and Cornelius Ireland Sr.
Her precious memory will be cherished by her sister, Lori Matthews, Nieces-Lauren Johnson and Mycha Davis, Nephew-Zion Jones, Great-Niece-Kaliyah Martin, Aunts-Evelyn Collins, Jacqueline Williams (Robert) and Troyette Ireland Anderson, Uncles-Reginald Collins and Cornelius Ireland Jr., God-Child-Anthony Ewing, Great Aunt-Elaine Collins, God Mother-Dorothy Bradley and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.
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