30 Sep From Staying to Serving: Meet RMHC CTX Chief Operating Officer Kristin Coulter

In August, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas welcomed Kristin Coulter as our new Chief Operating Officer. Kristin brought with her a deeply personal connection to our House, dating back to her family’s stay with us in 2018 and 2019.

As someone familiar with our mission and programs, can you share your personal experience with RMHC-CTX?
My family and I were blessed to call RMHC CTX our “Home Away from Home” for 57 nights while my son Owen was being treated at Dell Children’s Medical Center. From the moment we arrived, we felt like part of a family—a community of people who, while facing different medical situations, were united in an unexpected journey. We not only had a safe place to rest each night, but we also received warm meals, comfort from the Happy Wheels Cart in the hospital, and countless smiles and hugs from the volunteers and staff. When you’re navigating so many unknowns at the hospital, having this stable, caring environment with every resource imaginable is a gift we’ll cherish forever.

What inspired you to stay involved with RMHC, even after your family’s stay had ended?
I know firsthand the lasting imprint this experience leaves on families. It was life-changing for us. After we were discharged, staying involved with RMHC became a way for us to give back. It was healing and brought us joy to meet and serve other families. When you’ve been loved and cared for the way we were, there’s a deep hunger to reciprocate that love tenfold.

What made you decide that this was the right time to transition from volunteer to full-time staff member?
During our stay at the House, I often prayed, thanking God for RMHC and the wonderful staff and volunteers who took care of us. I also prayed for the opportunity to serve others in the same way. I knew the day we left in 2019 that I would return in some capacity. Fast forward five years to this summer when I had the opportunity to share our RMHC story at our Champions Brunch event and met with RMHC leadership—it became clear that this was the moment I had prayed for. My professional experience had prepared me to take on this role, and I felt called to give back in a new and meaningful way.

What do you feel makes RMHC so special, both internationally and as a local chapter?
It’s the people and relationships that make RMHC so special. The focus on families first, the deep compassion, and the unwavering commitment to keeping families close are truly remarkable. Every program and resource is shaped by someone who wholeheartedly believes in caring for others. The impact that even one person can have on an entire family is incredibly beautiful.

As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary next year, what do you think the future holds for RMHC CTX in the next 40 years?
The next 40 years are filled with exciting possibilities. There’s an energy to continue finding new ways to live out our mission in Central Texas, and it’s contagious. I dream of a future where no family is ever on a waitlist, where we can say “YES” to meeting every need, and where we have a community of staff, volunteers, hospital partners, corporations, and donors all engaged in creating a lasting legacy.

What would you say to someone who’s interested in getting involved but isn’t sure where to start?
Take that first step and connect with your local House. Share what you’re passionate about—whether it’s preparing meals, pushing the Happy Wheels Cart at the hospital, helping with yard maintenance, or giving generously. There are endless ways to make a difference. It truly takes a village to serve our families, and we can’t do it alone. We welcome anyone who wants to come alongside us and support this amazing mission.