About Pause For America
Pause for America is a nonpartisan movement dedicated to helping people engage more thoughtfully across differences. Through practical education, workshops, resources, and the Pause Pledge, we encourage people to pause before reacting, approach disagreement with curiosity, and communicate with dignity and respect. Our work is not about changing what people believe—it is about improving how we engage with one another, especially when conversations are difficult. By helping people build stronger communication habits, we aim to foster healthier relationships, stronger communities, and a culture where disagreement does not have to mean division.
Pause for America was founded on a simple belief: our democracy is strongest when it is grounded in respectful disagreement. We provide practical tools and educational resources that encourage people to pause, reflect, and engage more thoughtfully in conversations online and offline. By promoting dignity, discernment, and respectful dialogue across differences, we seek to reduce polarization and strengthen the civic culture that democracy depends on. Our focus is not on what people believe, but on how they communicate with one another.
April Kunis, MA, LPC, BCC, is the founder of Pause for America. As a licensed professional counselor, board-certified coach, and educator, she has spent her career helping people navigate difficult conversations, strengthen relationships, and communicate with greater intention and understanding. She founded Pause for America out of a belief that while disagreement is inevitable, division is not—and that healthier conversations can strengthen our communities and our democracy.
April Kunis, MA, LPC, BCC
Founder
“Our democracy is the strongest when it’s grounded in respectful disagreement.”
Pause for America Team
Aleta Nims
Board Chair
Aleta currently serves as a Military Family Life Counselor at Ramstein Air Base, Germany working with elementary school students and their families. She is a combat veteran who served in the United States Air Force during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as a navigator on a C130. Aleta is passionate about being of service to others and appreciates connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Pause for America was a natural fit for her to continue her mission of service before self. She hopes to help others remember that our commonalities outweigh our differences and that connecting to our humanity through respect and understanding will lead us to the progress we all desire.
Corinna Dahlin
Board Secretary
Corinna proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Controller, earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Over the years, she has built careers in real estate photography, real estate sales, and small business ownership. Corinna’s experiences have shaped a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, integrity, and helping others reach their potential. What drew her to Pause for America was seeing how social media and algorithms have deepened division, making it harder for people to treat those they disagree with love and kindness rather than contempt. She hopes to help create a reset — one where Americans can disagree respectfully, without politics or other divisive topics dominating every conversation or damaging the relationships that matter most.
James Pfeiffer
Board Treasurer
James brings a background in marketing and branding, with a passion for bringing ideas to life and helping people communicate clearly. In addition to his professional work, he volunteers with the Mediation Center of Greater Green Bay, where he supports constructive dialogue and conflict resolution. He and his wife are raising two teenagers, and outside of work he is an avid reader and enjoys taking his Bernedoodle on long walks. James was drawn to Pause for America because he believes it’s not about changing what people believe — it’s about improving how we engage with each other. He values its call to pause, listen with curiosity, and approach disagreement with respect.
Lindsey Fincher
Advisory Council Member
Lindsey Fincher is a former high school educator and coach who brings a passion for mentorship and structured communication to the Advisory Council. Her years in the classroom and on the court taught her the vital importance of creating spaces where people can listen, learn, and grow together. Currently working at The Home Depot, Lindsey continues to love solving practical problems and connecting with people from all walks of life. As a busy mother of two, she is deeply invested in fostering a culture of mindful dialogue and community collaboration for future generations.
Korissa Diehl
Advisory Council Member
Korissa Diehl is an instructional designer, educator, and nonprofit professional with 15 years of experience creating programs, curriculum, and training for adults, children, and families. Her work centers on poverty-informed support, education, mentoring, and skill-building. Through program development, leadership, and community engagement, she is committed to strengthening communities through respectful communication, connection, and support. She supports Pause for America’s work toward healthier communities and a stronger democracy.
Our Commitment
We are building this movement to be:
- Nonpartisan — Open to everyone, aligned with no political agenda
- People-powered — Driven by individuals choosing to engage differently
- Practical — Focused on skills that work in real life
- Grounded in dignity — Every person matters, every voice has value