About Grads of Life & Our Work
What we do:
Grads of Life works with leading employers to create inclusive talent strategies that deliver both social impact and business benefits. Through our research-driven approach, we help companies understand their current positioning and create customized engagements to achieve their goals. With deep issue area expertise, we act not only as consultants for our clients but as a thought partner and support system, providing the research, tools, and networks they need to create meaningful, long-term change.
We help employers create inclusive talent strategies
Grads of Life works with leading employers to create inclusive talent strategies that deliver both social impact and business benefits. Our consultancy provides employers with the insights, tools and partnerships to address talent needs while advancing racial and economic justice.
Our Mission & Vision
Grads of Life’s mission is to close the Opportunity Divide that separates millions of Americans from the companies that will benefit from hiring them.
We envision a future in which the labor market functions effectively for all Americans, especially those who have been historically excluded from the economic mainstream.
We work to close the
Opportunity Divide
The Opportunity Divide keeps Opportunity Talent – like Opportunity Youth, people who have been incarcerated, people with disabilities, and many others – disconnected from meaningful careers.
It is more important than ever for employers to take a leading role in addressing the Opportunity Divide by creating diverse and inclusive talent strategies. Current and future challenges such as recession due to COVID-19, growing economic and racial inequity, and increased automation demand an inclusive economy and an agile and adaptable workforce.
Access Opportunity Talent and build a workforce for the future by becoming an Opportunity Employer.
We work to close the Opportunity Divide
The Opportunity Divide keeps Opportunity Talent – like Opportunity Youth, people who have been incarcerated, people with disabilities, and many others – disconnected from meaningful careers.
It is more important than ever for employers to take a leading role in addressing the Opportunity Divide by creating diverse and inclusive talent strategies. Current and future challenges such as recession due to COVID-19, growing economic and racial inequity, and increased automation demand an inclusive economy and an agile and adaptable workforce.
Access Opportunity Talent and build a workforce for the future by becoming an Opportunity Employer.
Our History
Elyse Rosenblum and Shawn Bohen founded Grads of Life, which was incubated by the national skilling organization Year Up, to advance a systems-change approach to closing the Opportunity Divide.
After identifying a gap in the corporate landscape, Elyse and Shawn set out to catalyze employer demand for diverse talent. Through a national Ad Council PSA campaign, original research and working directly with leading employers, the Grads of Life team built a movement of inclusive corporate leaders who are committed to increasing equity through employment.
We have a long history of helping companies address their talent needs while advancing economic justice.
We are:
- Building an Opportunity Employment Movement by demonstrating the benefits of inclusive and equitable talent practices
Supporting employers to build and implement inclusive talent strategies at scale
Mobilizing the Opportunity Talent workforce by prioritizing skills over traditional education and employment pathways
Addressing the Opportunity Gap, and helping to create a more economically just and sustainable society
