We’re honored to share important news from KMC: a leadership transition and a bold vision for the future.
First, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Anne Sawyer for her 10 years of service, including 5 as President. Her leadership and dedication have shaped KMC into the strong foundation we stand on today. Anne will remain on the board in a support role.
With that, Crystal Williams has been named the new President of Kids Managing Conflict (KMC), leading us into an expanded vision as a Conflict Resolution Resource Hub. Crystal brings deep experience in mediation, education, and youth leadership—and we can’t wait to see KMC grow under her guidance.
Here’s to the next chapter—together, we’ll keep building safer schools and stronger communities. 💙
Read on to learn more about these amazing leaders and the days ahead . . .
Thank You Anne Sawyer
A Time for Change — and a Bright Future for KMC
Serving as President of Kids Managing Conflict has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Leading a nonprofit that serves kids means carrying their voices, hopes, and struggles with you every single day. It means late nights, countless conversations, stretching resources, and sometimes making impossible choices. And when you’re a volunteer leader, it means doing all of this while balancing family, work, and life.
After 10 years on the Board — and the last 5 as President — I know that leadership takes heart, grit, and endurance. And I also know that sometimes, leadership needs to change. Burnout is real, even when you love the work, and fresh energy can be exactly what an organization needs to grow.
I’m excited to share that Crystal Williams has joined our Board and will serve as Interim President. Crystal has already shown an incredible commitment to KMC, participating in meetings, events, and new ideas for over a year. I know she will lead with the same passion for giving kids a voice that has driven me since day one.
For me, this is not a goodbye to the mission — I will continue serving on the Board and supporting Crystal and our team through this transition. My heart is still exactly where it’s always been: with the kids who need to be seen, heard, and valued.
This is a time for change, and with change comes opportunity. We remain deeply committed to our school partners and to the strong collaborations we’ve built with Days of Dialogue, the Institute for Nonviolence in Los Angeles (INVLA), Calibrate, and the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles. Together, we’re expanding peer mediation, youth dialogues, and leadership training for the next generation of changemakers.
If you’d like to be part of what comes next — through volunteering, sharing our mission, or contributing when you can — your support will always make a difference.
Here’s to the next chapter for KMC, and to the kids whose voices inspire us every day.
With gratitude,
Anne Sawyer
Board Member, Kids Managing Conflict
Welcome Crystal Williams
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It is with great honor that I introduce myself as the new President of Kids Managing Conflict (KMC). For years, KMC has championed youth peer mediation and conflict resolution in schools. Today, as the challenges facing our students and communities grow more complex, we are entering an exciting new chapter—transforming KMC into a comprehensive Conflict Resolution Resource Hub.
In this next phase, our vision is to:
- Deliver trainings and workshops in conflict resolution practices and related skills
- Strengthen our relationship with collaborative partners that are leaders in the areas of peer mediation, restorative practices and wellness
- Provide grants, including teacher stipends transportation, so all students, regardless of circumstance, can participate in these vital programs.
- Build youth-centered spaces for leadership, dialogue, and resilience.
- Serve as a connector, linking schools with trusted local and national partners to expand access to conflict resolution pathways.
As a Trauma-Informed Mediator, ADR consultant, and educator with more than 15 years of K–12 teaching experience, I have dedicated my career to creating inclusive spaces where conflict can be transformed into growth. My background includes IEP facilitation, mediation, restorative dialogue design, and national speaking engagements, including TEDx and the CA State SELPA ADR Conference. I also serve on the boards of the Southern California Mediation Association and the Western Justice Center, and direct the Youth Police Dialogue program in partnership with Rotary International and LAPD Harbor Division.
I step into this role with both gratitude and determination. We cannot realize this vision alone—our success depends on the continued partnership of dedicated stakeholders like you. Whether through funding, sponsorship, in-kind support, or volunteering, your involvement will directly shape the next generation of leaders who are equipped with the tools to build safer schools and stronger communities.
Together, we can expand KMC’s impact from Southern California to across the nation, ensuring that every young person has access to the skills, resources, and support to resolve conflict peacefully.
Thank you for standing with us in this vital mission. I look forward to working alongside you as we build this next chapter together.
With appreciation,
Crystal K. Williams
President, Kids Managing Conflict
