Meet the Instructor

KJ Williams

CEO, RISEWITHUS

KJ Williams is a seasoned leader with over 14 years of experience helping organizations transform their cultures from the inside out. As the founder of RISEWITHUS, KJ works closely with businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions to create equity-centered strategies that promote authentic inclusion and belonging. KJ is skilled in guiding teams through conflict as a crucial part of their transformation journey, using restorative practices to foster understanding, healing and long-term cultural change.

With expertise in addressing systemic issues such as racism, sexism and anti-Blackness, KJ supports organizations in examining internal biases and aligning their actions with equitable values. KJ's approach, while highlighting trauma-informed principles, focuses on building psychologically safe environments where individuals and teams can thrive. KJ holds a master of public administration from Seattle University and a bachelor of science in urban studies from the University of Washington Tacoma, and is committed to equipping professionals with the tools to navigate complexity and drive lasting change in their organizations.