I understand how schools work from the inside

I’m Kristi J. Williams, Founder and Principal Consultant of KJW Inc. and work with international and independent schools and educational organizations. Before consulting, I spent nine years on the senior leadership team at the International Community School of Addis Ababa, working across strategic planning, communications, advancement, partnerships, and governance.

I worked closely with Heads of School, Board Chairs, and trustees through leadership transitions, strategic decisions, governance development, policy work, and the ongoing responsibility of keeping leadership and governance aligned.

That experience gave me a close view of how schools really work. Board decisions affect leadership. Strategy depends on systems and resources. Communication shapes understanding and trust. And even sound decisions can struggle if roles are unclear, priorities compete, or people do not understand what happens next.

It also taught me that challenges rarely sit neatly in one area. A governance issue may also be a communication issue. A strategic priority may stall because systems do not support it. A leadership decision may be sound but difficult to implement or sustain.

That understanding shapes how I work today.

A broader foundation

Before moving into international education, I spent more than two decades working in marketing, communications, positioning, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change. That background continues to influence my consulting. I pay attention not only to the decision, plan, or governance question itself, but also to how people will interpret it, what they need to understand, and what will help move the school forward.

Much of my work now sits at the intersection of governance, leadership, strategy, systems, and communication. I help Boards and school leaders make sense of complexity, clarify roles and priorities, strengthen decision-making, and build greater alignment.

My approach is grounded in simplicity, clarity, and focus.

My connection to international education is also personal. My family has lived and worked internationally for many years, and our four children attended international schools.

Originally from Seattle, WA, I have lived and worked across multiple contexts in the U.S. and internationally. Today, I am based in Kenya and continue to partner with schools and organizations wherever they may be.