Industry: Nonprofit Organization
Location: New York City, New York, U.S.
Size: 30-50 employees
“Venture For America engaged Yardstick Management to audit our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, and we are so glad that we chose Ebbie and his team to partner with. They took the time to really get to know our organization, dug deep, and asked tough questions. Yardstick went beyond metrics to really explore the
qualitative experiences of marginalized groups who interact with our organization and shine a light on how we can better include them. At the end of the process, we were able to take Yardstick’s recommendations and insights to our stakeholders, enabling us to partner with them to lay out a comprehensive, formal plan to improve our practices. This has been a critical step in our DEI journey, and Yardstick has been a joy to work with throughout.“ – Amy Nelson, Former CEO, Venture for America
Venture For America is a two-year fellowship program for recent college grads who want to work at a startup and create jobs in American cities. Fellows learn important startup skills at the month-long Training Camp, apply for jobs within the company network, and work for two years as full-time, salaried employees in one of 13 cities. As a progressive and culturally responsive organization, VFA sought out professional consultation with Yardstick Management to significantly improve their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
In an act of vulnerability and desire to improve, VFA and Yardstick partnered to execute an extensive internal audit of the organization, in addition to the policies, processes and
procedures that govern it. Yardstick methodically collected data and analyzed feedback, from stakeholders across the organization.
Yardstick developed a personalized DEI guide, designed to yield actionable and sustainable growth in 6 key areas, over the course of 3 years. Yardstick not only recommended company specific strategies but also provided tactical playbooks for inclusive marketing, supplier diversity, and minority banking partnerships. Additionally, Yardstick managed both the creation and implementation process, providing DEI strategy support and coaching to staff, fellows and valued partners.
Established in 2012, Yardstick Management is America's leading Black-Owned management consulting firm, providing organizational strategy, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging support, and executive search expertise at the world’s most recognizable companies. Our comprehensive services help organizations transform their culture as well as attract and retain the most senior-level diverse executives to their C-Suites and boards. Named in Inc.’s 2021 Best in Business list and as Georgia Business Journal’s 2021 Best Business Consulting firm, Yardstick Management has a proven track record of successful transformation and is trusted by the largest companies in the world.
In 2021 alone, the management consulting firm increased revenue by 166%, grew its employee base by 42%, and impacted over 2,600,000 employees across global corporate, non-profit, and educational organizations including, Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, Netflix, MIT, Orangetheory Fitness, PLBY Group Inc., Davita Kidney Care, Whirlpool, Roark Capital, and more. For additional information, visit yardstickmanagement.com.
