Kimiko Lighty

Kimiko Lighty is the founding Executive Director of Restorative Arlington, where she led the design and implementation of RA’s Heart of Safety Restorative Justice Conferencing Program, an RJ diversion program serving Arlington County’s legal system, schools, and the community. In 2023, Restorative Arlington was awarded the Arlington NAACP Branch Willard W. “Woody” Brittain Community Appreciation Award for ongoing service towards the betterment of Arlington County residents.

An innovator in the fields of peace-building and conflict resolution, Kimiko earned a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. Kimiko holds certificates in Restorative Justice Facilitation, Peace Circle Keeping, Organizational Development and Conflict Resolution, and Mediation. In 2024, Kimiko received George Mason University’s Alumni Service Award for her distinguished service to the University and local community.

Under Kimiko’s leadership, Restorative Arlington was awarded a highly selective, first-of-its-kind grant from the Office on Violence Against Women to pilot a community-referred RJ process to address sexual violence. In her current role as RA’s Director of Special Projects, Kimiko is primarily focusing her energy and skills on developing this innovative new program.

As an RJ practitioner, Kimiko strives to embody Ubuntu, the profound interconnectedness that calls on us to cultivate empathy, mutual concern, and grace. Kimiko is a practitioner of Nonviolent Communication and original hot yoga, a knitter, hiker, and a native plant enthusiast. Kimiko lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband and two children.