Praxis Labs and Torch Unite too Transform Leadership with AI-Powered Coaching
Praxis Labs, an innovative platform dedicated to learning and development, has recently merged with Torch, a leading organization in leadership coaching. The financial terms of this deal have not been disclosed.
Expanding Reach Through Strategic Collaboration
Although Praxis Labs operates with a lean team of under 20 employees, it had already established partnerships with industry giants such as Amazon. Recognizing the need for broader influence, Praxis sought a partnership that could amplify its impact across more organizations.Elise Smith, co-founder and CEO of Praxis labs, highlighted that joining forces with Torch was crucial to scaling their mission effectively.
A Unified Mission for Workforce Evolution
The connection between Praxis Labs’ founders Elise Smith and Heather Shen and Torch’s CEO Heather Conklin emerged from shared involvement in leadership development initiatives. this alliance revealed not only aligned values but also complementary strategies aimed at equipping tomorrow’s workforce for success.
“by combining Torch’s expertise in contextual coaching with Praxis’ cutting-edge AI-driven skill assessments and practice tools,” said Smith, “we are poised to prepare organizations for the growing demands of human-AI collaboration.”

Pioneering inclusive Work Environments Through Technology
As its launch in 2019, Praxis Labs has collaborated with top-tier companies including eBay, Zoom, Google, Target alongside Amazon to promote equitable workplace cultures through leadership programs enhanced by artificial intelligence. Their groundbreaking approach secured $15 million in Series A funding during 2021-an accomplishment that placed Elise Smith among a rare group of Black female entrepreneurs who raised over $1 million in venture capital at that time.
- This funding round attracted prominent investors such as Emerson Collective and Steph Curry’s Penny Jar Capital.
- The capital infusion accelerated the creation of AI-powered coaching solutions tailored specifically for diverse organizational challenges.
Leadership Roles Following Integration
- Elise Smith will spearhead AI growth initiatives within torch’s framework.
- Heather Shen will lead product strategy focusing on integrating artificial intelligence capabilities.
- The entire Praxis team will merge into Torch’s operations to enhance combined strengths and offerings.
Navigating Tomorrow: Blending Human Insight With Artificial Intelligence
The fusion of human-centered coaching techniques alongside advanced AI technologies addresses a pressing question faced by today’s leaders: How can companies prepare their teams for an era where humans work hand-in-hand with bright machines while preserving genuine interpersonal connections?
“Our partnership enables us to confront this challenge directly during a critical period when businesses must balance rapid technological progress with authentic human engagement,” Smith emphasized.
A Contemporary Illustration: Adapting Hybrid workforces Efficiently
A practical example is how global corporations like Salesforce have embraced AI-driven personalized coaching platforms without sacrificing strong mentorship traditions-leading to employee satisfaction improvements exceeding 20% over two years according to recent internal data. This synergy demonstrates how integrating technology thoughtfully alongside empathy fosters sustainable organizational change now more than ever before.




