Education

Bachelor of Science, International Relations– Indiana Wesleyan University

Master’s of Conflict Transformation – Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University

Graduate Certificate in Faith-Based Peacebuilding – Eastern Mennonite Seminary

Biography

Keren Kandel serves as KIPCOR’s Executive Director bringing experience in international and faith-based peacebuilding, conflict transformation and trauma-informed community engagement. 

For over a decade, Keren’s passion for accompanying and journeying alongside folks experiencing conflict and tension has opened doors to many different locations and people. Her undergraduate study in the US dealt with international relations, and then led to time spent in Lithuania with a focused study on peace and conflict resolution. Tending not to shy away from controversy, Keren found herself in Palestine-Israel for nearly five years working with young adults from North America traveling to the Holy Land for one to three months for an immersive educational experience. Keren served as the Holy Land Program Coordinator with Experience Mission during that time, piloting, structuring and leading a peace and justice centered immersive experience with local partners. Her time spent here rooted her understanding of nonviolence, peacebuilding, justice and trauma-informed practice. She also volunteered with Bethlehem Bible College in Bethlehem, Palestine, during those years, building relationships with the staff and serving as the English Communications Officer in the Development Department. 

After programs came to halt in the wake of COVID-19, Keren moved Stateside and attended graduate school at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. Her Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and graduate certificate in Faith-Based Peacebuilding further solidified her foundation for the ongoing work of navigating conflict among diverse people. Her conclusion of graduate school work led to serving as a Peace Associate at Lombard Mennonite Peace Center outside of Chicago, IL. During that time, Keren completed the Mediation Skills Training Institute and spent time working with church congregations navigating conflict through mediation, structured dialogue, and restorative practices. 

Most recently, Keren was coordinating with the Chicagoland Trauma-Informed Congregations Network, serving in an administrative role as well as facilitating gatherings, workshops and meetings for diverse religious communities in the movement. This expanded her network and experience engaging in cross-cultural work within the realm of trauma-informed care. 

Keren brings with her a passion for accompanying and journeying alongside people as they navigate conflict and tension. Her foundation finds rooting in the principles of restorative justice and her commitment to engaging systems of harm takes shape through empowering and supporting communities in their transformative healing journey.