About Us
IKR’s mission is to provide high-impact, kindness-based educational services and customized materials to professionals, organizations, and communities that assist children and vulnerable adults.
IKR’s vision is to reset all organizations we serve by fostering kindness, empathy, and compassion, triggering a ripple effect, and thus transforming prevailing behavioral norms in society.
IKR offers comprehensive resources and support, customized curricula, professional development programs, and direct instructional services. We extend our reach to schools, universities, care facilities, families, community centers, and other organizations committed to fostering holistic growth and development in children, youth, and adults alike.
In line with our vision of a kinder world, IKR initiates international and national projects to promote kindness as a universally embraced value. Through collaborative projects and partnerships, we strive to inspire positive change and foster a culture of empathy and compassion on a global scale.
Our organization is governed by a dedicated team of Executive Directors and a Board of Directors, ensuring transparency, accountability, and strategic leadership. Our esteemed Senior Advisory Council provides invaluable guidance and expertise, enriching our endeavors with wisdom and insight.
Become the One Who Makes the Difference:
Use Kindness Curricula in your Classroom
Join teachers, educators, school counselors, and administrators who are teaching in-person and online in preschools, K-12 schools, charter schools, international schools, private schools, community centers, Special Education Centers, and Schools of Education who used the curricula materials in September -December 2022 worldwide – in Croatia, Cote d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Italy, Lithuania, Turkey, Venezuela, to name just a few.
Join educators worldwide to foster kindness.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Tom Y. Sawyer, CO, USA
Chair, Board of Directors
Tom is a founder of a dotcom and the founding President and Chief Technology Officer of two successful start-up technology companies. He is the author of two books on entrepreneurship and high-tech startups. He is a named inventor on several technology patents.
During the past decade, Tom served on the Executive Committee and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hope West Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Junction, Colorado. Tom volunteers and teaches courses on a wide range of technology subjects at the New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute. A long-time Buddhist practitioner, Tom has led classes in Mindfulness Meditation for over twenty years. Tom enjoys wilderness backpacking, guitar, teaching, and mentoring. He is a martial artist and holds a black belt in San Soo Kung Fu.
Tom Y. Sawyer, CO, USA
Chair, Board of Directors
Tom is a founder of a dotcom and the founding President and Chief Technology Officer of two successful start-up technology companies. He is the author of two books on entrepreneurship and high-tech startups. He is a named inventor on several technology patents.
During the past decade, Tom served on the Executive Committee and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hope West Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Junction, Colorado. Tom volunteers and teaches courses on a wide range of technology subjects at the New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute. A long-time Buddhist practitioner, Tom has led classes in Mindfulness Meditation for over twenty years. Tom enjoys wilderness backpacking, guitar, teaching, and mentoring. He is a martial artist and holds a black belt in San Soo Kung Fu.
Melinda R. Pierson, PhD, CA, USA
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Janice moved to the Belmont (MA) Public Schools in 1997 where she led the district World Language Program for middle and high school students. In March 2010 she became the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, which she held until her retirement in June 2023. Understanding that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for all children (and adults) to learn at high levels, social emotional and culturally sustaining learning were the primary focus during her tenur.
Seven years ago, Melinda developed an online training network in Haiti to support teachers in orphanage schools. Her next project supports the opening of a new school in Kenya in 2024. She has written over 100 peer-reviewed publications which focus on literacy, inclusion, international teacher training, and resilience in children around the world in addition to presenting hundreds of times to school districts and conferences. Melinda has been actively involved in International Expressions of Kindness: Multimedia showcase and enthusiastically supported different initiatives of the IKR founders.
Janice Darias, VT, USA
Board of Directors
Janice recently retired from a 36-year career as a public school educator and leader. With a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Secondary Education from Middlebury College and a Master’s in Literary Studies from Brandeis University, Janice began her career in the Newton (MA) Public Schools as a high school Spanish teacher.
Janice moved to the Belmont (MA) Public Schools in 1997 where she led the district World Language Program for middle and high school students. In March 2010 she became the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, which she held until her retirement in June 2023. Understanding that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for all children (and adults) to learn at high levels, social emotional and culturally sustaining learning were the primary focus during her tenur
Janice Darias, VT, USA
Board of Directors
Janice recently retired from a 36-year career as a public school educator and leader. With a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Secondary Education from Middlebury College and a Master’s in Literary Studies from Brandeis University, Janice began her career in the Newton (MA) Public Schools as a high school Spanish teacher.
Janice moved to the Belmont (MA) Public Schools in 1997 where she led the district World Language Program for middle and high school students. In March 2010 she became the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, which she held until her retirement in June 2023. Understanding that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for all children (and adults) to learn at high levels, social emotional and culturally sustaining learning were the primary focus during her tenur
Jodie M. Skolnick, FL, USA
Board of Directors
Over the past 20 years, Jodie has concentrated on creating and leading fundraising events for domestic and international non-profit organizations. Among her proudest accomplishments is championing a one-of-a-kind annual event on behalf of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans that has helped women veterans successfully navigate a path from homeless to self-sufficiency for the last decade.
Among her other leadership roles, Jodie has served as an officer or volunteer board member on several local and national non-profit organizations including providing leadership development for other professionals in these organizations.
Jodie has travelled extensively internationally and lived in Japan for four years. She is so excited to be a part of the International Kindness Reset team as it is so needed by societies around the world and it’s a great way to give back for all she has been privileged to experience
David Woodward, WA, USA
Board of Directors
David has led multi-site organizations nationally, marketing and outreach internationally, corporate board and organizational development, and setting up strategic relationships worldwide. In addition, he has initiated the development of various business startups and educational projects involving small businesses, universities, corporations, and government agencies within the U.S. and in peer regions of the world.
David was born in Iran where he spent his early youth and developed a fascination for languages and cultures of the world. As a result, he became fluent in Persian, French and Arabic, studied Greek, Hebrew, and German, and has traveled to over 50 countries. Following studies at Carleton College (Northfield, MN) and the University of Washington (Seattle, WA), he received a National Resource Fellowship in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization. David holds four degrees from the University of Washington including a Master of Education in Higher Education with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language, a Master of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization, a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, and a Bachelor of Arts in History.
David Woodward, WA, USA
Board of Directors
David has led multi-site organizations nationally, marketing and outreach internationally, corporate board and organizational development, and setting up strategic relationships worldwide. In addition, he has initiated the development of various business startups and educational projects involving small businesses, universities, corporations, and government agencies within the U.S. and in peer regions of the world.
David was born in Iran where he spent his early youth and developed a fascination for languages and cultures of the world. As a result, he became fluent in Persian, French and Arabic, studied Greek, Hebrew, and German, and has traveled to over 50 countries. Following studies at Carleton College (Northfield, MN) and the University of Washington (Seattle, WA), he received a National Resource Fellowship in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization. David holds four degrees from the University of Washington including a Master of Education in Higher Education with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language, a Master of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization, a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, and a Bachelor of Arts in History.