William Joseph Kaplan grew up in Southwest Philadelphia and spent way too much time on the corners of Woodland Avenue.  After graduating from John Bartram, a Philly public high school and being discharged from the US Army, William earned his BA in International Politics and Economics from the Pennsylvania State University and a MA in Intercultural Conflict Resolution from McGregor School, Antioch University.

William’s mother and sisters were born in the Republic of Korea making William the first person on his mother’s side of the family to be born outside of the Korean peninsula.  William’s paternal grandfather was born in Russia sometime in the late 1800s and, apparently after making his way to Mexico, walked into the United States.  His father is a veteran of three wars and likes to eat at hip Korean restaurants even at 87 years old.  William’s wife is his companion and best friend and his two children keep him running through the park and looking for little toy animals around the house.

For over 19 years, William has been a practitioner and theorist in the field of conflict resolution.  He is a facilitator, trainer, and consultant.  He has experience in multi-party and neighborhood-based mediation, intervenes in institutions and communities experiencing conflict and change, and has extensive experience working with school staff and students in ethnic and identity-based conflicts.  He also works as a medical case manager for people living with HIV/AIDS.