• igniting the flame. charting the course.

will you be a torchbearer?

Passing The Torch is a human capital consultancy that helps leaders, organizations, and teams create an empowered and positive work culture that champions diversity in all forms by fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Fundamental transformation begins with listening, and meaningful progress starts with taking the first step to seek guidance and support. We approach our work with a partnership mentality and a collaborative approach because we understand that this work is a constantly evolving journey.

Now is the perfect time. Let’s get started.

“As a torchbearer, your light extends beyond your reach; inspire those around you to carry it forward.”

- Dr. Maya Angelou

dei calendar

Yearly calendar that honors the diverse beliefs, observations, and celebrations of persons everywhere. Leverage this resource both at work and in your personal life to learn why we pay tribute in these moments.

books and movies

Curated list of books and films that will celebrate and inform readers and viewers on the rich history of both the struggle and continued fight equity and inclusion. The directory will pay tribute to the persons whose shoulders we continue to stand on.

resources to get you started

dei glossary

Often times, DEI terms can be all over the place and may keep you stuck. Here’s a list of 200+ terms to keep you informed. Start with what you know, expand your current thinking, and dive into what’s new.

services

dei strategy development and consulting

  • Our model is designed to assist organizations in developing comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies tailored to their unique needs and goals. We collaborate closely with leadership teams and key stakeholders to assess the current organizational landscape, DEI initiatives, identify areas for improvement, and craft actionable strategies that drive meaningful change. Through in-depth analysis, stakeholder engagement, and industry best practices, we help organizations create roadmaps for fostering a more inclusive workplace culture, enhancing diversity in hiring and retention practices, and aligning DEI efforts with broader business objectives.

inclusive talent practices and outreach strategies

  • Our Inclusive Talent Practices and Search Services assist organizations in attracting, retaining, and developing diverse talent pipelines that reflect the rich tapestry of today's workforce. From designing inclusive job descriptions to implementing equitable hiring processes, we help organizations break down barriers to entry and create pathways for underrepresented talent to thrive. Our executive search services leverage extensive networks and deep industry expertise to identify and place diverse candidates in leadership roles, driving organizational excellence through diversity and inclusion.

dei learning and development

  • We provide a comprehensive suite of DEI-focused workshops, seminars, and e-learning modules designed to educate employees at all levels on key concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. From unconscious bias training to cultural competency workshops, our customizable offerings are tailored to address the specific needs and challenges of each organization. By fostering awareness, empathy, and allyship among employees, our training programs lay the foundation for building more inclusive and equitable workplace cultures.

brand inclusion and marketing

  • Our new Brand Inclusion consultancy helps organizations align their brand messaging, marketing strategies, and product offerings with principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through brand audits, consumer research, and stakeholder engagement, we assess the inclusivity of current brand communications and product designs, identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation. Whether through inclusive marketing campaigns, diverse product representation, or community engagement initiatives, we help organizations build authentic connections with diverse audiences and drive positive social impact through their brand presence.

inclusive leader enablement and coaching

  • Our Inclusive Leader Enablement program equips leaders at all levels with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to foster inclusive environments within their teams and organizations. Through workshops, coaching sessions, and interactive training modules, we empower leaders to recognize unconscious biases, effectively communicate across diverse teams, and lead with empathy and authenticity. By nurturing inclusive leadership behaviors and promoting accountability, we enable leaders to drive cultural transformation and create workplaces where every voice is valued and respected.

dei programs (dei councils, ergs, heritage months)

  • We provide advisory, guidance, and support the formation and development of impactful DEI Councils and ERGs, from the creation phase to developing goals and metrics and engaging Executive Sponsors, ensuring DEI goals and initiatives are moving forward effectively. Additionally, we support organizations in the development of a strategic roadmap that honors cultural observances and heritage months throughout the year.

trusted by:

testimonials

  • "When Jonathan came on board, our organization had been struggling and needed a proper recruiting strategy that focused on elevating diversity at senior levels within the organization. We needed infrastructure, systems in place, tools and resources, and an idea of the networks we needed to engage to change course. In under two months, Jonathan worked to complete a strategy from start to finish by doing deep data dives, identifying gaps and areas of improvement, benchmarking against similar organizations in size, reviewing our hiring process and job descriptions, refreshing our employer branding materials and messaging, partnered with our Mission and NICU teams to develop a database of over 300+ minority-serving organizations we could leverage for sourcing, and creating attainable, realistic hiring metrics. He left us with a comprehensive playbook and a roadmap for long-term success."

    Tierra W., Head of Recruiting and Diversity Initiatives, March of Dimes

  • "Partnering with Jonathan while at Pattern was a dream. We worked extensively on DEI learning and development, finding ways to make it more accessible for remote and field team members. Jonathan always sought ways to innovate and evolve our training options so that we weren't stagnant and kept up with current trends. One of the lasting impacts he has made to our organization is introducing a learning curriculum for our senior executives that would increase their enablement to become more inclusive leaders."

    Shakira D., Global Learning and Development Manager, Pattern Energy Group

  • "In 2007, Senate Democrats created the Diversity Initiative as a component of the Leadership Office of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to develop Senate staff who reflect the diversity of our Nation and are demographically representative of the constituents they serve. As we approach an intense election year, we needed an experienced equity-minded consultant who could help us map out customized strategies and timelines, source and develop new external partners, organize seminars and networking opportunities, and help us build talent pipelines. Simply put...Jonathan delivered. I can sincerely say that this has been the most robust programming the Senate Diversity Initiative has had since its inception. "

    William R., Director, Senate Democrats Diversity Initiative

  • "Late last year, Jonathan and Sydnei delivered an amazing educational DEI and racial equity six part series for our organization. Their energies and content kept us engaged, curious, sustained in the moment. For such heavy topics, the team appreciated their levity and ability to make everyone comfortable. As a global organization with teams both in person and virtual, we can sometimes lose our inclusion focus, but after Jonathan's thorough insights through data gained from the listening groups, we were able to leverage that information in working with him on frameworks to strengthen our organization's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging."

    Emma H., Head of Accessibility, Hopin

  • "During our time together, Jonathan was a bright spot while working at SoulCycle to develop the organization's first comprehensive DEI strategy. He has an innate ability to adapt to any situation, leads with a great deal of humility and compassion for others, and possesses a high emotional quotient that serves him well in getting to the root causes of employee concerns. His impact throughout his consultancy helped steer the organization down a better path because of his findings and recommendations, and his scope evolved to influence our commercial marketing and branding strategy."

    Khamira P., Former Business Development Director, SoulCycle

  • "Jonathan has been working with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for a little over a year to increase their cultural observances and heritage months activities. His sessions with special guests have been extremely engaging and full of insightful information. Jonathan can break down very complex topics in a simplified manner and answer questions without judgment, making everyone feel at ease. I appreciated him sharing his experiences and deep-diving into his journey of discovery in the space. His knowledge of DEI and social justice is outstanding, comes from genuine curiosity, and represents his parents' influence on him as they were activists."

    Cindy P., Senior Contract Specialist, U.S. Office of Personnel Management