Dr. John Paul Lederach

Integrated Marketing + Comms
Written By Kristine Neil

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, political violence and polarization became increasingly normalized throughout the country. For years, research has shown a steady uptick of Americans who view people with opposing viewpoints as “closed-minded, dishonest, and immoral.” 

To address the country’s division, Dr. John Paul Lederach, a Senior Fellow at Humanity United and an internationally renowned expert in peacebuilding and conflict mediation, publishedThe Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War. The book shares insights from his decades of experience in decreasing polarization and preventing political violence. 

Mission Partners guided Dr. Lederach in the book’s launch, building strategies to reach community leaders, philanthropy, and everyday Americans with proven approaches to bridge divides. Mission Partners worked alongside Dr. Lederach to develop and placean op-ed with The Washington Post to amplify the book’s messages, reaching more than 50M+ unique monthly readers. Mission Partners also prepared Dr. Lederach for media opportunities and developed abook club discussion guide to encourage readers to make changes in their day-to-day lives to lessen polarization.

Knowing that political violence prevention starts locally, Mission Partners hosted a web conference between Dr. Lederach and 20+ foundation leaders and representatives to discuss how they can learn to recognize, address, and ease conflict in their regions. Dr. Lederach continues to serve as an advisor and thought partner to these foundations as they navigate the year ahead. 

“I appreciated Dr. Lederach’s words about how community leaders can stop being crisis driven, but instead be crisis responsive and find the opportunities going forward, even in the midst of crisis. It felt relevant to what this community is feeling.”
– Conference participant

Kristine Neil

Fractional Web Partner

I'm Kristine Neil - a communications strategist who has spent 20+ years designing websites, first running a full-scale design and marketing agency, and now leading my own studio. I've been the creative director managing the work, the coder quietly fixing what others couldn't, and the strategist in the room asking why before how. Somewhere between the MBA and the other degrees, I decided web design was just one tool in a much bigger toolbox - the real work is figuring out what you're trying to say, who needs to hear it, and what's getting in the way. A website is just where all of that comes to life.

I mostly build on Squarespace, and after years deep in the platform I know how far it can go and when to push past its limits. These days, I'm especially drawn to working as a fractional partner - getting to know an organization over time and helping with whatever moves them forward, whether that's a full redesign, an ongoing hand with content and strategy, or just being the person who knows their site best. I write here about AI, UX, eCommerce, web strategy, and making the complex feel a little more human.

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