The demand for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives surged in recent years. Organizations vowed to increase representation and create inclusive workplaces. Yet, despite good intentions, many approaches to DEI fell short. According to Revelio Labs, by 2023, one in three DEI professionals lost their positions, and job listings for DEI roles dropped by 44% after peaking in 2020. These numbers raise critical questions about sustainability and the effectiveness of identity-based hiring.  While the intention behind identity-focused hiring was to address underrepresentation, it often became more about optics than meaningful, systemic change. Hiring based solely on identity can tokenize individuals, making