Kaaren Williamsen

Kaaren M. Williamsen, PhD, is an instructor and trainer with the University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice. She brings deep expertise in institutional transformation, culture change, and organizational strategy, most recently serving as the founding director of the Prevention Education, Assistance & Resources (PEAR) office at the University of Michigan. She co-edited Applying Restorative Justice to Campus Sexual Misconduct: A Guide to Emerging Practices and is currently consulting with New York University’s Center on Trauma and Recovery on a large-scale evaluation project assessing restorative justice interventions for sexual assault and intimate partner violence. A social entrepreneur in higher education, she has launched multiple initiatives that bridge decentralized systems and drive lasting culture change. With a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development and over 20 years of leadership experience, Kaaren integrates prevention strategy, restorative practices, and culture change into cohesive, scalable systems that align with both legal mandates and community needs. In addition to her teaching, she consults nationally with colleges, universities, and organizations, supporting them in building sustainable structures for prevention, community well-being, and restorative approaches.