illumyn Impact
illumyn Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that curates introductions between private company boards and diverse independent director talent, backed by 100+ PE/VC partner firms and high-profile guest hosts, alongside a for-profit affiliate offering executive coaching.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What illumyn Impact does
illumyn Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2018 (originally as Him For Her) and headquartered in Oakland, California, that curates introductions between private company boards and diverse independent director candidates. The organization operates a referral-only network of board talent, serving CEOs and boards seeking independent directors, private equity and venture capital firms supporting their portfolio companies, and experienced executives seeking board service. It also convenes curated dinners and roundtables hosted by high-profile business leaders including Dara Khosrowshahi (Uber), Eric Yuan (Zoom), Reid Hoffman (Greylock/Microsoft), Jeff Weiner (LinkedIn), Scott Cook (Intuit), Carmine Di Sibio (EY), Robin Washington (Alphabet/Honeywell), and Meredith Kopit Levien (The New York Times). Over six years, illumyn Impact reports 65,000+ connections, 3,000 direct introductions, and roughly 200 diverse individuals now sitting on boards as a result.
illumyn Impact's core products are (i) free, frictionless board candidate introductions via a curated referral network; (ii) moderated roundtable discussions with prominent guest hosts; (iii) annual benchmark studies on gender diversity in private company boards conducted in partnership with Crunchbase (since 2019) and academically co-developed with Professor Lauren Rivera of the Kellogg School; (iv) free board-search resources and a board matrix tool; and (v) The Boardroom View newsletter on LinkedIn. In 2022, the organization launched illumyn, Inc., a for-profit public benefit corporation affiliate offering paid executive learning, development, and coaching services targeted at Fortune 1000 executives with scaling experience who are pursuing board service. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is human-curated relationship work augmented by standard web, CRM, and newsletter infrastructure hosted on Squarespace.
The business model operates through two parallel revenue streams. The nonprofit (illumyn Impact / Him For Her, Inc.) is funded by charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and a base of 100+ PE/VC partner firms that include Foundry Group, GV, IVP, L Catterton, Mayfield, Silver Lake Partners, SoftBank, Starboard Value, and Tiger Global Impact Ventures as founding partners. The for-profit affiliate (illumyn, Inc.) generates fee revenue from executive learning, development, and coaching engagements. The core nonprofit service of connecting companies with diverse board talent is provided free of charge, with monetization occurring through charitable giving and, increasingly, paid executive development services. Distribution is relationship-based: 100+ PE/VC partner firms are the primary channel into private company boards, supplemented by curated events, earned media (Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, HBR, Nasdaq Boardroom Talks), TEDx speaking, and the LinkedIn newsletter.
illumyn Impact firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- illumyn Impact
- Legal name
- Him For Her, Inc.
- Website
- https://illumynimpact.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- illumyn Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that curates introductions between private company boards and diverse independent director talent, backed by 100+ PE/VC partner firms and high-profile guest hosts, alongside a for-profit affiliate offering executive coaching.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
illumyn Impact industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate governance and board diversity services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910), Office Administrative Services (5611)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Advisory (BPAHAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Enterprise & Workplace Communities (BPAMABAJ)
Keywords
Where illumyn Impact is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
illumyn Impact business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, illumyn Impact receives donations from individuals and organizations to support its mission of increasing board diversity. Donations are voluntary, charitable contributions that are non-refundable. The organization can allocate funds to programs as specified by donors, though they retain discretion to reallocate if designated funds become impracticable.
- Executive Learning and Development Services: In 2022, illumyn Impact launched illumyn, Inc., a for-profit public benefit corporation that provides executive learning, development, coaching, and related services to individuals seeking to develop their professional growth through board service. These services are subject to applicable fees disclosed at the time of purchase or registration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free board candidate introductions for companies seeking diverse talent |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
illumyn Impact product offering
Product offeringCore offering
illumyn Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes highly-curated introductions connecting CEOs, board directors, and PE/VC partner firms with independent, experienced board talent from a referral-only network. The organization facilitates connections through hosted dinners, moderated roundtables, and direct introductions, and produces annual benchmark research on gender diversity on private company boards in partnership with Crunchbase. Its for-profit affiliate, illumyn, Inc., provides paid executive learning, development, and coaching services for individuals pursuing board service.
Product overview
illumyn Impact operates as a dual-entity organization consisting of a 501c(3) nonprofit (illumyn Impact, formerly Him For Her) and a for-profit public benefit corporation (illumyn). The nonprofit provides free, curated board candidate introductions and hosts roundtable discussions with business leaders, while the for-profit entity offers executive learning, development, and coaching services. The organization has made over 3,000 direct introductions of diverse talent into the board ecosystem and publishes annual benchmark studies on gender diversity in private company boards in partnership with Crunchbase.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Board Candidate Introductions Free, frictionless introduction service that connects PE/VC firms and private company CEOs with diverse, qualified independent board candidates from illumyn Impact's referral-only network. Designed for organizations seeking to add independent directors with specific expertise and operating backgrounds.
- Curated Roundtable Discussions and Dinners Curated dinners and moderated roundtables that connect current and aspiring board members through conversations with high-profile guest hosts (e.g., Scott Cook, Carmine Di Sibio, Eric Yuan, Reid Hoffman, Jeff Weiner, Dara Khosrowshahi, Robin Washington). Used as both a service to members and a meeting venue for introductions.
- Annual Benchmark Studies on Gender Diversity Annual research publications produced in partnership with Crunchbase (and Professor Lauren Rivera of Kellogg School of Management) tracking gender diversity on boards of private venture-backed U.S. companies. Coverage spans 735 companies and nearly 5,000 board members, and has expanded to include AI governance and women of color representation.
- illumyn Executive Learning, Development, and Coaching Paid executive learning, development, coaching, and related professional services delivered through illumyn, Inc. (a for-profit public benefit corporation) to individuals seeking professional growth through board service. Open primarily to Fortune 1000 diverse talent with scaling experience; fees disclosed at time of purchase or registration.
Quantifiable outcome
- 65,000 connections made in 6 years with 3,000 direct introductions of diverse talent into the board ecosystem; nearly 200 individuals now sitting on boards as a result
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use illumyn Impact
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
illumyn Impact technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
illumyn Impact partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- CrunchbasecoreAnnual co-authored benchmark studies on gender diversity on private company boards since 2019. The partnership produces research covering 735 companies and nearly 5,000 board members, becoming the authoritative source on private company board diversity.
- Professor Lauren Rivera, Kellogg School of ManagementcoreCo-developed the methodology for researching boards of heavily funded private companies. Contributed academic rigor to the inaugural 2019 study.
- California Partners ProjectflagshipCo-authored 'Who Is Governing AI Companies?' study in 2025, examining AI company governance and board composition.
- Reid Hoffman (Greylock, Microsoft)flagshipGuest host for illumyn Impact events and supporter. LinkedIn co-founder provides access to network and credibility in the board ecosystem.
- Jeff Weiner (LinkedIn, Next Play Ventures)flagshipGuest host for illumyn Impact events and supporter. Former LinkedIn CEO contributes network access and thought leadership.
- Scott Cook (Intuit)flagshipGuest host for illumyn Impact events. Co-founder of Intuit contributes strategic credibility and network access.
- Eric Yuan (Zoom)flagshipGuest host for illumyn Impact events, contributing network access and visibility to the organization.
- Dara Khosrowshahi (Uber)flagshipJoined illumyn Impact board of directors in August 2023. CEO of Uber brings high-profile visibility and network to the organization.
- Robin Washington (Alphabet, Honeywell)flagshipGuest host for illumyn Impact events, contributing executive network access and credibility.
- Carmine Di Sibio (EY)flagshipGuest host for illumyn Impact events. Global Chairman of EY provides access to extensive professional network.
- Clinton Global InitiativeflagshipIn September 2023, illumyn Impact launched a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action to solve gender diversity on for-profit boards.
- NasdaqflagshipFeatured illumyn Impact and Jocelyn Mangan in Boardroom Talks video series and closing bell ringing event, providing media platform and visibility.
- NasdaqflagshipListed as a supporter, providing visibility and partnership credibility in the board ecosystem.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
illumyn Impact competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a dedicated board practice. It serves large public and private company boards on director searches, overlapping with illumyn Impact's board placement mission but at the enterprise/incumbent end of the market.
- Spencer Stuart: One of the leading global executive search firms with a prominent board practice (Spencer Stuart Board Index). It is comparable to illumyn Impact as both facilitate independent director placements for private and public company boards, though at much larger scale and fee.
- Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a major board and CEO search practice. Comparable to illumyn Impact as both address board composition and executive talent challenges, though Korn Ferry is a broad incumbent offering across HR consulting, search, and assessment.
- Diligent: Enterprise governance software provider serving boards of directors, with solutions for board composition, recruitment, and oversight. Comparable to illumyn Impact as an incumbent in the broader board ecosystem, though Diligent is a commercial SaaS platform rather than a curated nonprofit.
Direct peers
- Catalyst: Global nonprofit focused on advancing women in the workplace, including research on board diversity and corporate governance. Highly comparable to illumyn Impact as a mission-driven nonprofit producing research and convening leaders to drive gender diversity in corporate leadership.
- 50/50 Women on Boards: Nonprofit campaign focused on achieving gender parity on corporate boards. Comparable to illumyn Impact in mission (increasing board gender diversity), nonprofit structure, and convening role, though without illumyn Impact's PE/VC-curated network model.
- Paradigm for Parity: Coalition of business leaders dedicated to achieving gender parity in corporate leadership by 2030. Comparable to illumyn Impact as a mission-driven nonprofit focused on board and executive diversity with corporate partner engagement.
- The Athena Alliance: Community and platform that prepares senior executives, particularly women, for board service and connects them with board opportunities. Highly comparable to illumyn Impact's dual mission of preparing diverse executives and facilitating board placements.
- Board Network: Curated community connecting experienced executives with private company board opportunities. Comparable to illumyn Impact's curated referral model for matching diverse talent with private company board seats.
Others
- OnBoard: Board governance SaaS platform used by corporations and nonprofits for board meeting management. Comparable to illumyn Impact as adjacent infrastructure serving board ecosystem needs, though focused on board operations software rather than board recruitment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
illumyn Impact social profiles
Digital presenceillumyn Impact financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
illumyn Impact leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
illumyn Impact subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
illumyn Impact funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
illumyn Impact M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about illumyn Impact
What does illumyn Impact do?
illumyn Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes highly-curated introductions connecting CEOs, board directors, and PE/VC partner firms with independent, experienced board talent from a referral-only network. The organization facilitates connections through hosted dinners, moderated roundtables, and direct introductions, and produces annual benchmark research on gender diversity on private company boards in partnership with Crunchbase. Its for-profit affiliate, illumyn, Inc., provides paid executive learning, development, and coaching services for individuals pursuing board service.
Is illumyn Impact a public or private company?
illumyn Impact is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was illumyn Impact founded?
illumyn Impact was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is illumyn Impact based?
illumyn Impact is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does illumyn Impact make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are executive Learning and Development Services.
Who are illumyn Impact's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, Korn Ferry and Diligent. Direct peers are Catalyst, 50/50 Women on Boards, Paradigm for Parity, The Athena Alliance and Board Network. OnBoard is listed as an others.
Does illumyn Impact have an API?
No public API is recorded for illumyn Impact.
What industry is illumyn Impact in?
illumyn Impact's product category is Corporate governance and board diversity services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAFAA, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAMABAJ, Enterprise & Workplace Communities. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8742.