Klis Joo was a Jedi Knight of the Duros species (a female), who dedicated her service to the Jedi Order during the final decades of the Galactic Republic. Unlike most Jedi during that time, Joo held a position within local government, becoming the elected governor of the city of Forard located on the planet of Almas.
Klis Joo was born on the world of Duro to Duros parents. Even in her early years, she showed a natural talent for technology, a trait common among her species. During her childhood, it was discovered that Joo was Force-sensitive, leading her to be sent to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant for training in the ways of the Force. At the Temple academy, Joo developed a friendship with Nerra Ziveri, who was also a Jedi Initiate. Eventually, both graduated from the academy and were chosen as Padawans by two different Jedi Masters. Under her master's guidance, Joo journeyed across the galaxy, learning to control her emotions and using her determined nature to successfully complete the Trials of Knighthood. After being named a Knight of the Republic by the Jedi High Council, Joo chose to pursue further studies in the ways of the Jedi Consular.
After traveling the galaxy on solo missions assigned by the High Council, Joo returned to her homeworld, hoping to gain a better understanding of her people's struggles and offer assistance. However, she soon felt uneasy with the excessive deference shown to her and returned to Coruscant. Around this time, Joo encountered Bran Isken, a Corellian mechanic, and admired his skills, praising him for helping a Duros couple in need. After a period of working from Coruscant, Joo was invited by her old friend, Master Ziveri, to teach at the experimental academy on Almas. Joo accepted the invitation and arrived in 53 BBY, only to discover that Ziveri had mysteriously departed from the academy. Once again feeling uncomfortable in her situation, Joo found teaching unfulfilling and often became impatient with her students.
Joo began to frequently visit Forard, a small town that supported the academy. When the position of governor became vacant due to the previous governor's death, Joo quickly accepted the office. Dedicated to improving the town, Joo secured funding to expand and modernize the local spaceport, upgrading it to meet high standards with twenty docking bays. To fill the vacant position of mechanic magister, Joo contacted her old friend Bran Isken, offering him the job, which he accepted.
Klis Joo, who was shorter than most Duros, possessed a more fiery temperament than most Jedi, a trait that was often criticized by her teachers at the Coruscant academy. One of Joo's biggest annoyances was being mistaken for a Neimoidian, a common occurrence for members of her species. Embracing her talent for technological study, Joo frequently tinkered with ships at the Temple, even taking up the hobby of preparing a racing ship for the Eskaron Games. When Joo took on public office on Almas, a decision discouraged by the High Council on Coruscant, the Duros began to lose her connection to the Force, relying on other judgments to help her decisions.