Kimberly Hart’s passion for human rights and justice finds its roots in her upbringing in rural Pennsylvania. Among the many ways her family cared for the people around them, her parents’ involvement in the foster care system, adopting and fostering multiple children, modeled for her the importance of personal engagement with “the least of these.”

 

That passion, along with a deep desire to provide hospitality to others, has led to the creation of the Fairlight Forum.

 

As one of the first in her extended family to attend college, Kimberly studied Brain and Cognitive Science at MIT before getting her JD from Columbia University School of Law. Passionate about the intersection of justice and mercy and informed by both her role as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Virginia and by her volunteer work among the most poverty stricken and oppressed children and families in the United States and across the globe, Kimberly has developed lobbying and advocacy efforts on peace-building, humanitarian needs, and human rights for one of the largest international NGOs, as well as served as an advisor for multiple smaller organizations.

 

Whether you are working with issues of poverty, rule of law, peace building, or domestic violence – these issues are incredibly nuanced and how they are presented and heard are as important as the facts underlying them. Whether one is easing a domestic violence witness into being able to give a statement or understanding the experiences of a farmer in the West Bank and a mother of a suicide bombing victim in Jerusalem, you need to know how to listen and to recognize the dignity of the person struggling to be heard.
 

This extends to lobbying efforts on complex issues, as well. Understanding that collaboration is a significant strength in the non-profit world, Kimberly has spent considerable time helping development organizations network with other non-profit organizations, think tanks, ministries and international aid groups to build joint messaging and embolden their advocacy positions. For collaboration to be effective, the message needs to be understood in the same way by all parties. That takes both speaking clearly about your own experiences and desires and being able to truly understand the concerns of the other.

From the sense of peace she gained through Sunday afternoon lunches with her great-grandmother and the knowledge of belonging learned through extended family celebrations, to the importance of hospitality experienced in relief and development work overseas, Kimberly appreciates the need for a welcoming space, good food and drink, and an atmosphere of acceptance. Human beings are social creatures and we connect best in a place that welcomes us and allows us to break bread together.

 

As Executive Director of the Fairlight Forum, Kimberly brings to bear her considerable skills and experiences in both negotiation and advocacy, as well as hospitality, to create an environment that fosters hearing and being heard.