Professional Services 2023: JOHNNY C. TAYLOR JR.

A lawyer and human resources executive, Taylor has led the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 2017. The global professional association has about 400 staff members and represents about 325,000 human resources professionals worldwide, across more than 575 chapters.

An expert in workplace topics, Taylor frequently testifies before Congress about issues affecting American workers. He writes a weekly column for USA Today, “Ask HR,” and published the 2021 book “Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval,” a Wall Street Journal bestseller.

Prior to joining SHRM, Taylor served as president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. He has also worked as a human resources executive for IAC, Paramount Parks and Blockbuster Entertainment. He was a partner at Virginia’s largest law firm, McGuireWoods, where he led its human resources consulting firm.

Taylor has master’s and law degrees from Drake University and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. He serves on the boards of XPO Inc. and Guild Education Inc. The Women Business Collaborative named Taylor a 2023 Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity for his work in support of equal pay for women.