This acquisition brings together two organizations that have shaped the return-to-work field over nearly two decades.

It also builds Akraya's continued investment in scaling return-to-work programs, including the addition of Tami Forman, formerly of Path Forward, last year to help expand these efforts.

It combines iRelaunch's leadership in corporate reentry programs and returner support with Akraya's ability to deliver full-service returnship programs at scale through its capabilities in sourcing, screening, and onboarding returners.

Together, this creates a more integrated approach to help companies access, hire, integrate, and retain experienced business / technology professionals returning to the workforce.

Employers will have access to a more comprehensive, end-to-end solution that combines community, program design, and a staffing platform that delivers a pipeline of qualified talent.

This approach is designed to help companies not only identify qualified candidates, but also hire, onboard, and retain experienced professionals who are often overlooked by traditional hiring models.

Professionals will have expanded access to structured reentry programs for getting back into the workforce, along with greater visibility to employers seeking experienced talent.

All the programs and services currently being offered to returners through Women Back to Work and iRelaunch will continue under the new combined program. We'll continue to offer weekly Power Hours, the 40th iRelaunch Conference will be held virtually in October, and the iRelaunch Job Board will continue to offer the ability to find returnships and other job opportunities available to returners.

Women Back to Work is Akraya's return-to-work program and has been a leader in this space for over a decade, helping employers connect with experienced professionals returning to the workforce.

With this acquisition, the capabilities developed through Women Back to Work will be combined with iRelaunch's consulting and community platform and to create a single, integrated offering that can reach more employers and professionals at scale.

This acquisition builds Akraya's expanded investment in returnship services under Tami Forman's leadership over the past year.

Our focus is on bringing together the strengths of both organizations into a unified solution that is easier for employers and returners to access.

As part of that process, we will continue to evolve how these capabilities come together into a single, unified offering, with an emphasis on scale, clarity, and ease of access.

AI and automation are transforming roles across industries, and headlines often focus on job cuts. But that is only part of the story.

At the same time, demographic trends including lower birth rates, reduced immigration, and an aging workforce are tightening the supply of talent.

The long-term outlook points to a talent shortage, not a surplus.

This acquisition is focused on helping employers access experienced professionals whose judgment, adaptability, and real-world experience are increasingly valuable in this environment.

Traditional hiring models often penalize non-linear careers and overlook experienced professionals who have taken time away from the workforce.

This approach combines community, structured programs, and recruiting capabilities into a single, integrated model that identifies qualified talent, actively supports hiring, onboarding, and long-term retention. For employers this delivers experienced talent who can offer highly-valued skills but who are often overlooked by traditional hiring processes. For returners this creates a more effective and reliable pathway to employment.

Returnships don't just identify talent, but successfully hire, integrate, and retain it.

The focus will be on integrating the strengths of Akraya's return-to-work program capabilities with iRelaunch's platform and community.

Over time, this unified offering will expand to reach more employers and returners while continuing to build on what drives strong outcomes.

Tami Forman will lead iRelaunch as part of the combined organization, bringing deep experience in advancing return-to-work programs and building strong employer partnerships. She joined Akraya last year to help expand Women Back to Work, and this next phase builds on that momentum.

Carol Fishman Cohen will continue to play an important role as an advisor over the next three years, helping ensure continuity and preserving the vision and community she built.

Together with Sonu Ratra, this leadership team represents category leaders with more than 20 years of experience in return-to-work programs, workforce reentry, and workforce solutions at scale.

The workforce is undergoing a structural shift.

While AI and automation are transforming roles, demographic trends are tightening the labor market. At the same time, millions of experienced professionals remain on the sidelines due to outdated hiring systems.

This acquisition is about unlocking that talent at scale and helping companies adapt to a changing workforce.