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OUR MISSIOn
We are a full-spectrum consulting group dedicated to guiding organizations and
communities through deep, meaningful transformation.
OUR VISION
Changing the world from the inside out.
OUR WHY
We believe lasting transformation begins from the inside out.
Real change happens when people and systems face reality with courage and
choose to move forward—even when conditions are uncertain.
Belonging is essential. When people feel seen, valued, honored, dignified, and
supported, organizations become more resilient, innovative, and effective.
Belonging strengthens performance because it strengthens people.
We do this work because systems rooted in human dignity, accountability, and
reciprocity create healthier and high performing organizations—and a more just
world.
Bridging manifesto
We believe transformation begins from the inside out.
Not through force.
Not through urgency.
But through clarity, courage, belonging, and care.
We believe people and systems are not broken—
they are carrying histories, wounds, wisdom,
and unfinished stories.
We build bridges.
Between vision, mission, and values.
Between ancient wisdom and modern science.
Between soft skills and hard systems.
Between the present moment and the future waiting to be shaped.
We build bridges from fragmentation to coherence.
From burnout to sustainable vitality.
From silence to courageous truth.
From reaction to intentional response.
We build bridges between memory and imagination.
Between accountability and compassion.
Between responsibility and humanity.
We build a bridge from safety-seeking into meaningful adventure.
From inherited trauma into collective strength.
From wounds into healing wisdom.
We build bridges between who you are
and who you are becoming.
Between what has been endured
and what can now be created.
We bridge inner clarity to collective action.
We bridge alignment to impact.
We bridge belonging into performance and purpose.
Because systems change when people change.
And people change when they are seen, honored,
and invited into responsibility.
We do not impose solutions.
We walk alongside.
We listen deeply.
We name what is real.
We illuminate what is possible.
Together, we build bridges to wholeness.
Together, we build bridges to courage.
Together, we build bridges to living, breathing futures.
This is how we change the world—
from the inside out.
who we are
Bridging International is a consulting collective dedicated to guiding organizations and
communities through deep, life-giving transformation.
We partner with organizations to reshape culture from within—strengthening
belonging, rebuilding trust, and fostering and strengthening collaboration so
people and systems can thrive.
We design and facilitate healing-centered and transformational processes,
including bridging, belonging, dialogue, restorative alignment, leadership
development, assessment, and culture change.
We equip leaders with practical tools, strategies, and guidance through
consulting, executive coaching, and leadership capacity-building—helping them
move forward with confidence and build the futures they envision.
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Rooted in Wisdom. Grounded in Practice. Focused on Impact.
Bridging International is a full-spectrum consulting collective dedicated to guiding organizations and communities through deep, meaningful transformation.
We integrate Indigenous wisdom, adaptive leadership, systems thinking, and restorative practices to help leaders navigate complexity with clarity, courage, and compassion.
Core Components
our team
Bernardo has done extensive racial equity consulting work across the US, Canada, and Mexico and is passionate about working towards racial equity organizational transformation across the world.
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He is a registered tribal member of the Zemanauak Tlamachtiloyan Tribe Calpulli Nahui Ollin Tezcatlipocatl.
Bernardo brings to Racing to Equity over 20+ years of experience working on issues of race and social justice—working with community groups, foundations, private companies, and government agencies dedicated to building a more just and democratic society.
Bernardo is the former Director of the School Family Partnerships, Equity & Race Relations, and Native American Education Departments for Seattle Public Schools (SPS), providing vision, leadership, and hands-on work to systemically advance racial equity. He also served as the Co-Principal Investigator for Family Engagement & Academic Success projects with Johns Hopkins University & the US Department of Education.
In addition, Bernardo directed the development of SPS’s Policy No. 0030: Ensuring Educational & Racial Equity, as well as the systemic implementation of Family Engagement National Best Practices to increase student academic achievement. During this time, the District was awarded three National Partnerships District Awards from the National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins University.
Bernardo has received professional certificates focused on Family Engagement & Eliminating Opportunity Gaps from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, Graduate Executive Certificate for Organizational Development , Change Management and Transformational Leadership from Georgetown University, Graduate Executive Certificate on DEI Consulting from Georgetown University, and Executive Certificate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University.
Bernardo Ruiz
FOUNDER, CEO,
and Principal
CONSULTANT
DR. NIKUM PON
DATA, RESEARCH, and EVALUATION SPECIALIST
Dr. Nikum Pon is the former Director of Equity in Education for the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD). In this position, he and his team supported King and Pierce county school districts toward systems transformation to ensure academic excellence for each and every student. He has developed and implemented research-based gap closing strategies along with providing on-going racial equity training and coaching for a wide range of educators both locally and regionally to build their capacity to strengthen students’ educational outcomes. In his professional career, he has dedicated the last 22 years of his life working with a wide range of students and their families in racially, linguistically, and culturally diverse communities in predominantly low-income settings in the greater Seattle area. He contributed greatly to impactful programming during his nine years with SafeFutures Youth Center.
Nikum’s academic preparation includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Cell Molecular Biology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Seattle Pacific University. In addition, he is certified in Adaptive Leadership from Leadership Eastside as class of 2017. He is a life-long learner as he continues to find ways to deepen his learning as a systems thinker/leader and critical race theorist.
Dr. Aratani is the Founder and Principal Consultant of EQTYIA Consulting. Dr. Aratani holds a doctorate in sociology from Columbia University and has more than 20 years of experience in research and evaluation. Her areas of expertise include racial/ethnic disparities, housing, trauma, and mental health services research. Her previous work includes the analysis of racial/ethnic and linguistic difference in accessing mental health services. She has previously worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Fresno Housing Authority, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Carter Center. She recently contributed to R2E’s racial equity environmental assessment report for Surrey Schools District in British Columbia, Canada. She came to the United States as an immigrant and has deep understanding of racial prejudices and discrimination within Asian immigrant community from her personal experience, and she is strongly committed to advancing racial equity and social justice in the United States through her work.
dr. Yumiko Aratani
Researcher
Tony Nabors
Associate
Tony Nabors is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Racial Equity Insights as well as the first person to hold the title of “Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” in the state of Washington for a public housing authority. With over 16 years of experience working in equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), justice, and advocacy work, Tony is passionate about moving people from hesitation and trepidation to confidence and effectiveness concerning the subjects of race, diversity, and equity.
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Tony’s skills include anti-racism training, consulting, strategy development, public speaking, team leadership, group facilitation, and program management. He also holds a passion for audio/visual media and incorporates video and photography to amplify the effectiveness and reach of his anti-racism work.
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As an American Ethnic Studies major at the University of Washington, he realized early on that his unique set of life experiences, alongside his gifts for public speaking, strategy, and persuasion, made EDI consulting a natural fit. In the last year, Tony has provided services for healthcare providers and insurers, housing nonprofits, colleges, a significant local music organization, an international fundraising/outreach nonprofit, a mental health support organization, and even a small Montessori school in the Midwest. Tony is passionate about advocating for a world where all people have equal access to thriving and success and he champions the voices and needs of the disenfranchised.
Our Partners
Barbara Grant is the Founder and CEO of Crux Consulting Consortium. She advises leaders and organizations on their most pressing issues related to mission, strategy, team development, and relationship to equity, inclusion and belonging. Barbara works with clients from various sectors – private, public, and social – and has gained perspective on all different levels of these systems.
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Her own leadership experience prior to the last two decades of running an international consulting practice, ranges from building programs in prisons, to a decade at Microsoft, including directing Microsoft’s Leadership Development programs worldwide. Based in systems thinking, equity and data informed decision making, Barbara bridges differences to support clients at all levels to take meaningful, sustainable action, in support of their missions.
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Barbara has a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Bastyr University and a BA in International Relations from the University of Notre Dame. She is culturally competent and has experience in a variety of countries and settings, is fluent in Spanish, and, being of Irish heritage, has a well-developed sense of humor. Barbara lives happily in Seattle, is an active community volunteer, and a parent of two very interesting teenagers.
Barbara Grant
Partner,
Crux Consulting Consortium
Tara Smith
Partner,
Crux Consulting Consortium
Tara is all about partnership, persistence and grace. Whether it’s encouragement to take on a new challenge, a connection to a new resource, a sympathetic ear, or a needed reality check – Tara thrives on helping clients learn and grow. Having spent nearly 20 years working in nonprofits as an Executive Director, Development Director and Board Member, Tara not only has a comprehensive view of the sector, all those years of fundraising have made her relatively dogged and fearless. Among all missions, her favorite is building strong leaders and strong communities, and she feels truly lucky that Crux enables her to do that every day.
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Tara earned her B.A. in Economics and English at the University of Washington. She is also a graduate of the UW Nancy Bell Evans Center’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute (NELI). Following college, Tara began her career at United Way of King County, moving from Loaned Executive to Campaign Manager to Assistant Director within the workplace giving team. This provided connection with and exposure to corporate settings ranging from accounting firms, banks and insurance providers to hotels, manufacturers and media companies. After six campaign seasons, Tara was ready for a new adventure and moved on to become Development Director at Seattle Works. There too, she was recognized and promoted, serving as Associated Director, Interim Executive Director and ultimately, Executive Director.