About RISEWITHUS
Radical Solutions. Transformative Change. Belonging for All.
RISEWITHUS equips organizations, leaders, and communities with the skills, strategies, and courageous mindsets needed to transform conflict, strengthen culture, and advance equity from the inside out.
Who We Are
RISEWITHUS walks alongside organizations, leaders, and communities to repair harm, navigate conflict, deepen trust, and build sustainable systems where clarity, accountability, and belonging can thrive.
We believe transformational change isn't theoretical––it's lived. Every organization carries its own culture, tensions, and truths. That's why our work blends restorative practices, conflict navigation, and leadership development to help organizations align values with daily action and create cultures people can trust.
Through training, consulting, and strategic accompaniment, we help leaders, staff, and community members build sustainable habits of clarity, connection, and shared power—ensuring that equity is not simply a value you hold, but a daily practice you live.
Our Core Commitments
Transformation through introspection and self-examination
Sustainable change begins within. We support leaders and teams to recognize patterns, surface assumptions, and cultivate self-awareness as the foundation for organizational transformation.
Aligning values with action
Equity requires discipline. We help organizations translate statements into practices—ensuring commitments are reflected in communication, leadership, policy, and daily decision-making.
Prioritizing personal and collective growth
Growth is both an individual and communal process. We equip teams with reflective tools, feedback practices, and conflict engagement skills that deepen capacity across the organization.
Fostering equitable decision-making
True inclusion requires shared power. We help organizations examine who holds influence, how decisions are made, and what structures uphold or disrupt equity.
Recognizing how individual beliefs and lived experiences shape the workplace
Everyone carries stories, identity, and history. We create the conditions for people to understand how bias, power, and perspective shape interactions—and how to make different choices.
At RISEWITHUS, transformation is not abstract. It is a daily practice of bringing clarity, courage, and compassion to the moments that matter most.
Meet Our Team
Learn about the visionaries driving RISEWITHUS and their commitment to innovation and excellence.
Meet
Client Partners
Welcome to our Client Partners section, where we proudly showcase some of the logos of our current and past collaborators. Each logo represents a strong partnership that has contributed to our success growth at RISE. We value the relationships we've built are grateful for the trust our partners have placed us. Together, we strive to remarkable results and drive innovation in our industry.
KARINE J. WILLIAMS (KJ)
Co-Founder/CEO
KJ Williams is a visionary leader, facilitator, and strategist dedicated to transforming organizations and communities through equity-centered leadership, conflict resolution, and restorative practices. As the Founder and CEO of RISEWITHUS, KJ partners with organizations, institutions, and individuals to navigate complex challenges, rebuild trust, and create sustainable change that advances racial and social justice. With a deep commitment to fostering belonging, accountability, and collective growth, KJ’s work empowers teams to move beyond performative DEI efforts toward meaningful transformation.
With a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Washington and an MPA from Seattle University, KJ has spent decades advancing initiatives that challenge systemic inequities and cultivate inclusive leadership. Her experience spans nonprofit, government, education, faith based and corporate sectors, where she facilitates courageous conversations, leadership development, and culture shifts that center humility, adaptability, and shared power.
KJ’s commitment to justice extends beyond professional consulting. They have served on the City of Seattle LGBT Commission, the University of Washington School of Law Diversity Committee, the Board of Directors for the Initiative for Diversity, and the Gates Scholarship Committee at UW School of Law. Currently, KJ is deepening their expertise in conflict resolution and mediation through the Certified Mediator Practicum with the Center for Dialog and Resolution, equipping leaders with the tools to engage conflict as a pathway to healing and progress.
At the heart of KJ’s work is a belief that transformation starts from within—within individuals, within teams, and within the systems we seek to change. Through RISEWITHUS, KJ continues to challenge organizations to align values with action, address power dynamics with integrity, and create cultures where everyone thrives.
ANTASIA J. WILLIAMS (AJ)
Co-Founder/Managing Director
AJ Williams is a dynamic leader, strategist, and facilitator dedicated to fostering equity, transformation, and sustainable change within organizations and communities. As the Co-Founder of RISEWITHUS, AJ brings a wealth of experience in youth development, social impact, conflict resolution, and organizational leadership, helping teams navigate challenges and build inclusive cultures grounded in accountability, belonging, and adaptability.
With a BA in Political Science from Western Washington University and a deep-rooted passion for justice, AJ has spent years in the nonprofit sector, serving as a front-line worker, program coordinator, director, and deputy director. Their leadership has shaped programs that empower young people, strengthen communities, and challenge inequitable systems.
AJ is also a Certified Mediator through the Center for Dialog and Resolution, equipping organizations with the tools to address conflict with integrity, restore relationships, and move toward lasting change. As a consultant, AJ specializes in equity-centered leadership, strategic conflict management, and organizational transformation, guiding teams through the difficult but necessary work of turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
Beyond their work with RISEWITHUS, AJ is a dedicated advocate for self-development and personal transformation. Whether through facilitation, coaching, or thought leadership, they empower individuals to unlock their potential, embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and create meaningful change in their lives and communities. AJ also prioritizes wellness, movement, and creativity, finding balance through fitness, outdoor exploration, and visual design, all of which fuel their approach to leadership and innovation.
At the heart of AJ’s work is a commitment to actionable change, strategic solutions, and courageous conversations—ensuring that organizations and individuals don’t just talk about transformation but truly live it.