HISTORY

In 2006, Jill McManigal, a mother of two young children and Danielle Gram, a high school honors student met at a neighborhood party. Inspired by a “Peace” button Jill was wearing, the two engaged in a conversation about their wishes and hopes for our world. They quickly realized they shared a vision of bringing children together to lead the way for a brighter tomorrow for all.
Within weeks after meeting, Jill and Danielle gathered a small group of children in Jill’s backyard and Kids for Peace was born. With a deep conviction that youth are innately wise, the children were asked these questions, “What does peace mean to you?” “What do you want our world to look like?” “What can you do to create the world you wish to see?” “What do you want to pledge yourself to?” Listening to their wisdom, our Peace Pledge was created and our mission was solidified.
The children got busy helping others, learning about other cultures, caring for our earth and doing their part to make a positive difference. The news of these dynamic children spread quickly and soon requests were made to replicate Kids for Peace in several neighborhoods. Organically, the pure and powerful message of our children spread around the world.
Today, Kids for Peace is a global 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that provides a platform for young people to actively engage in socially conscious leadership, community service, arts, environmental stewardship and global friendships. Kids for Peace has launched over 300 interconnected chapters around the world. Through Kids for Peace projects and programs, youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds are empowered to become part of positive solutions leading to a healthy and harmonious planet.
CO-FOUNDERS
CORE TEAM

Jill McManigal
Executive Director

Asia Moore
Program Director

Meg Jansen
Peace Pledge Program Director

Kristen Kinney
Filmmaker and Communications Specialist

Katrina Carroll
Director, The Great Kindness Challenge Australia

Shivanii Ray
Kids for Peace Spokeskid

Atta ul Haq Khaderzai
Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Pakistan

Edward Kabaka
Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Kenya

Ambassador Robert K Gboluma Jr.
Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Liberia

Janelle Mentzel
Bookkeeper
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Dr. Rubina Feroze Bhatti
Leadership Development Practitioner & A Woman Peacemaker

Steve Hart
Co-Founder, ViaSat, Inc

Joy McManigal
Entrepreneur, Writer, Life Coach, Founder of The C4 Way

Dr. Ben Churchill
Superintendent,
Carlsbad Unified School District

Bill Southard
Founder and CEO of Southard Communications

Edward Kabaka
Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Kenya

Kathleen Rosenthal
Elementary School Teacher
Kids for Peace Interns

Carissa Chu
CSUSM Senior Experience Intern

Chike Ofoedu
CSUSM Senior Experience Intern

Keana Houston
CSUSM Senior Experience Intern

Phillip Durussel
CSUSM Senior Experience Intern

Ashley Herrarte
University of Irvine Intern

Erin Kim
University of Irvine Intern

Xiang Zhou
University of Irvine Intern

Emelio Gomez
CSUSM Senior Experience Intern
"Eric" Rui Han
University of Irvine Intern

Giselle Cruz
University of Irvine Intern