ABOUT US
KJ's CV
KARINE JOY WILLIAMS (KJ)
CEO
KJ Williams (no pronouns) is CEO and Founder of Risewithkj doing business as RISEWITHUS, LLC (Radical, Insightful, Solutions to Create Equity). KJ facilitates the work of race and social justice by working with organizations, groups, and individuals across industries from the inside out to foster equitable change, sustainability, and growth. KJ holds a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Washington and an MPA from Seattle University. KJ has served as a member of the City of Seattle LGBT Commission, University of Washington School of Law Diversity Committee, the Board of Directors for the Initiative for Diversity, and the University of Washington School of Law Gates Scholarship Committee. KJ is currently participating in the Certified Mediator Practicum with the Center for Dialog and Resolution.
ANTASIA J. WILLIAMS (AJ)
Managing Director
AJ Williams (she/her) is the Managing Director of RISEWITHUS, LLC is a human being who cares for the heart, mind, well-being, and self-determination of all. AJ provides facilitation and technical support for RISEWITHUS. Professionally, AJ has 14 years of experience working with Youth and Young Adults (YYA focused organizations, as an executive level director and direct service provider. Most recently, AJ held the role of Deputy Director for REACH Tacoma, a youth and young adult focused non-profit providing comprehensive services for youth and families navigating poverty, barriers to education, mental health and homelessness. AJ specifically uses a race and poverty centered approach in facilitation, organizing and content development. AJ holds a Bachelors in Political Science and minor in English from Western Washington University.
JENNIFER WERDELL (JEN)
Senior Partner Consultant
Jennifer Werdell walks alongside legal service and social justice organizations in their journeys to become more adaptive, equitable, community-entered, and anti-racist. After kickstarting her legal career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and legal services attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group, Jen transitioned to nonprofit management and leadership development work, overseeing network-wide initiatives for NPower, corporate volunteer programs for Microsoft, and fellowship programs at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. While managing public interest and pro bono programs at Seattle University School of Law, she started to coordinate a statewide leadership development program for attorneys and community partners as well as the Washington Race Equity & Justice Initiative (REJI). Jen then helped to create the nonprofit JustLead Washington as a home for REJI and the Leadership Academy and served as JustLead’s founding Executive Director until May 2022. Since departing JustLead, Jen continues to support legal and social justice organizations as an independent consultant providing leadership, equity, and anti-racism focused training, consulting, coaching, and facilitation. Given her not-so-unique experience as a white woman operating in nonprofits, Jen is called to the work of learning and unlearning with her peers to create a different and more equitable future for the sector and her community.
RISEWITHKJ, LLC was founded in 2018 with a single mission: to provide radical, insightful, solutions in the pursuit of equity. We approach each of our clients with fresh eyes to develop customized, unique strategies. We are here to help you and your organization fulfill its goals in the pursuit of justice, equity and inclusion. Are you ready to set your business on the path to becoming a pro-equity, pro-inclusive organization.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
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We hold a fundamental belief that transformational, sustainable change is possible when we begin with examining ourselves.
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We believe that change is rooted in the congruency gained, when our stated values are clearly reflected in our language and actions.
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We believe that our ability to positively impact and facilitate transformation at the institutional and systemic levels, is directly connected to our individual work.
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We believe that our willingness and ability to engage in equitable decision making practices is the result of understanding how our personal beliefs, biases, strengths and challenges intersect and manifest within our lives.
OUR VALUES
Authenticity
An honest and forthright approach while understanding that living an authentic life is a journey.
Commitment
A stated and lived dedication to equity, justice, inclusion and diversity.
Openness
A space and method which supports the honest expression of individual and institutional truth without judgment while preserving dignity for all.
Respect
Admiration and support for ourselves and our clients engaged in this work; it is often challenging and uncomfortable.
Organizational Partners
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