For the entirety of her career, Toya Lawson has been in the people business. From her earliest days working as a staffing specialist to being a recruiter, she’s dedicated to finding and placing the right talent in the right roles at the right companies. With over two decades of experience, Lawson launched the Philadelphia office of Bridge Partners, the New York-based executive search firm which has additional offices in Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
When the Philadelphia office opened in October 2019, Lawson continued her commitment to placing women and people of color in roles they might not traditionally be considered for. In her first 18 months, she completed 21 executive searches, seven of which placed people of color in leadership roles, including at the Community College of Philadelphia, Project HOME, and the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance. The appointment of Alphonso Atkins as the deputy director of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was also among Lawson’s placements.
Ensuring representation beyond work, Lawson sits on the board of The Wardrobe, the Philadelphia nonprofit aimed at providing professional clothing and services for those whose lives are in transition.
What motivates her: Watching the candidates I place grow, thrive, and achieve amazing results for my clients always motivates me. When my placements get promoted, win awards, complete IPOs and M&A transactions, save my clients money or help them increase their bottom lines through their work, I know the match I made was a good one.
Encouraging changes she’s seen in the past year around social justice and inclusion in Greater Philadelphia: Recently, I have noticed more companies committing to increasing their spending with minority-owned businesses. Corporations and nonprofit organizations are adding more women and leaders of colors to their boards and executive leadership teams. Some organizations have designed executive leadership programs for leaders of color. These are all steps in the right direction.
