Professional Services 2024: JOHNNY C. TAYLOR JR.

The Society for Human Resource Management’s leader since 2017, Taylor is a lawyer and human resources executive in charge of an association that represents nearly 340,000 member HR professionals in 180 countries.

Named one of the “300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” for 2024 by African American business and lifestyles publication Savoy magazine, Taylor is an expert on workplace topics and frequently testifies before Congress about issues impacting American workers. In July, Taylor wrote on LinkedIn that SHRM’s diversity initiative would be called I&D for inclusion and diversity, explaining that the term DEI, including “equity,” had become “polarized” politically.

Taylor previously served as president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and as an HR exec for IAC, Paramount Parks and Blockbuster Entertainment. He also was a partner at McGuireWoods, Virginia’s largest law firm, where he led its HR consulting business.

Taylor has master’s and law degrees from Drake University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. He is a trustee for United Way Worldwide and serves on the corporate boards of XPO, Flores & Associates and Guild Education.