Dr. Toni Newman is a distinguished national trans advocate for health equity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights, Toni has served in several transformative leadership roles, including Interim CEO of the Black AIDS Institute and the LYRIC Youth Foundation, and CEO of St. James Infirmary. The first trans woman of color to receive an Honorary Doctorate in the United States.

She currently serves on the Board of the LGBT Asylum Project and is Chair of the Board at Trans Can Work. In addition, she is an active member of the California Black Leadership Council. Toni is a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Toni is a proud graduate of Wake Forest University and holds her Juris of Doctorate (JD). She holds memberships in both the National Trans Bar Association and the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

She has been nominated and received an Honorary Doctorate in International Law from Azteca University in recognition of her international contributions to human rights. An accomplished author, Toni is best known for her powerful memoir I Rise: The Transformation of Toni Newman (2011), inspired by the poem Still I Rise by the late Dr. Maya Angelou, her mentor and Reynolds Professor at Wake Forest University.

Toni has been nationally recognized for her groundbreaking work in advocacy and justice. In 2024, she received honors from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, the National Bar Association, and The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. She was also named the 2024 National Nonprofit Leader of the Year for Diversity and Equity by the Anthem Awards.

In 2025, her achievements continued to earn national attention, receiving the Health Justice Award from the San Francisco Community Health Center, the National Trans Visibility March Award, the Trans-Revolutionary Excellence Award from the Vision Community Foundation, and the Outstanding National Transgender Service Award from Pride Index.

Dr. Elijah Nicholas, DBA, MBA, MAET, MSOL, is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, global policy strategist, and executive leader dedicated to advancing equity, innovation, and leadership across sectors. He currently serves as CEO of the Global Trans Equity Project and National Director of Policy & Strategy for the National Trans Visibility March, leading national initiatives focused on health equity, workforce development, and veteran reintegration.

A decorated veteran with more than 20 years of military and governmental experience, Dr. Nicholas specializes in leadership development, conscious communication, and AI-driven workforce innovation. His groundbreaking work includes developing a model that leverages artificial intelligence to connect veterans with career pathways and support systems that improve quality of life and retention outcomes.

Dr. Nicholas holds a Doctor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Adult Education & Training, and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, along with Executive Education from Harvard Divinity School. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Business at IGlobal University, where he teaches leadership, research, and organizational strategy.

A multi-published author, speaker, and advocate, Dr. Nicholas brings a unique blend of heart-centered leadership and data-driven strategy to every stage and audience he serves.

Dr. Toni Newman is an accomplished strategist, social impact leader, and advocate for transformational change. As the founder and principal consultant of Dr. Toni Newman Consulting, she brings an exceptional combination of lived experience, academic rigor, andexecutive insight to help organizations and leaders achieve lasting success through strategy, inclusion, and innovation.

For more than two decades, Dr. Newman has been a driving force for equity and organizational excellence. Her consulting work spans corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations—guiding each toward clarity of purpose, sustainable structure, and measurable impact. With expertise rooted in leadership development, policy strategy, and cultural transformation, she helps clients not only envision meaningful change but also implement the systems and strategies that make it real.

Dr. Newman’s unique approach blends strategic leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) frameworks, and policy advocacy to empower leaders and institutions to align their values with action. She believes that equity and effectiveness are not opposing forces but essential partners in the creation of resilient, high-performing organizations.

A recognized national voice on leadership and inclusion, Dr. Newman has advised executive teams, boards, and emerging leaders across multiple sectors. She is known for her ability to bridge strategic insight with compassion—creating environments where innovation thrives, collaboration deepens, and every voice contributes to collective success. Her philosophy centers on authenticity, accountability, and transformation through shared purpose.

Beyond her consulting practice, Dr. Newman is a respected public speaker, author, and advocate, frequently invited to address conferences, leadership summits, and media platforms. Her commentary and analysis have been featured in national outlets for her thought leadership on equity, representation, and the future of inclusive leadership.

Her educational and professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to driving systemic change and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

With every engagement, Dr. Newman brings a powerful blend of strategic clarity, visionary thinking, and human-centered leadership—helping clients bridge the gap between aspiration and action. Her mission is simple yet profound: to help individuals and organizations transform vision into measurable, sustainable impact.