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Johnny C. Taylor Jr.

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Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
Born
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation(s)President and chief executive officer, Society for Human Resource Management
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2002; div. 2007)​
Websitejohnnyctaylorjr.com
www.shrm.org

Johnny Clayton Taylor, Jr. is an American lawyer, author and public speaker who is the president and chief executive officer of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).[1] He was previously president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), which represents the 47 publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities in the United States.

From 2018 to 2021, Taylor served as chair of President Donald Trump's Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, in addition to serving on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board.[2] He is a member of the United Way Worldwide Board of Trustees, as well as serving on the corporate boards of XPO, Inc., Flores HR, and Guild Education. Taylor is also a trustee of Jobs for America’s Graduates, and was previously vice chair of the University of Miami.

Taylor writes a USA Today column and hosts a podcast on topics related to human resources. A longtime public speaker, he has also testified before Congress on workforce issues.

Early life and education

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Taylor was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and graduated as valedictorian of his class at Dillard High School in Broward County. He attended the University of Miami, where he was an Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholar and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. He went on to earn a Master of Arts from Drake University and a Juris Doctor from the Drake Law School,[3] where he served as research editor of the Drake Law Review and argued on the National Moot Court Team.[4] He is licensed to practice law in Florida, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.[5]

Career

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Taylor discussing workforce development with President Donald Trump in March 2019

Taylor has held senior human resources and legal executive roles with Viacom and its subsidiaries including Blockbuster Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, and Alamo Rent a Car.[6] He was General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Compass Group USA[7] before becoming partner and Chief Executive in the McGuireWoods law firm.[8][9][10] Taylor worked for IAC/InterActiveCorp,[11] a media company, first as the senior vice president of human resources, and then as the president and chief executive officer of IAC subsidiary RushmoreDrive.[12]

From 2010 to 2017, Taylor led the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). This includes 47 publicly-supported historically Black colleges and universities, six law schools, two medical schools, and over 300,000 students.[13]

On June 1, 2017, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) named Taylor president and chief executive officer, with a mandate to “boldly transform and elevate the organization because of market demand on the HR profession to change."[14][15] Taylor led a $20 million financial turnaround of SHRM, which took a loss of $5.6 million in 2016 and registered net income of $14.1 million by 2018. He is credited with building a “challenge culture” where employee input is encouraged.[16]

In July 2024, Taylor led SHRM’s shift from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to just I&D (inclusion and diversity).[17] He cited “societal backlash and increased polarization” in advocating for an “inclusion-first approach.”[18]

Author

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Taylor at SHRM23 Annual Conference and Expo

Taylor wrote the 2021 book Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.[19] He is co-author of The Trouble with HR: An Insider's Guide to Finding and Keeping the Best People,[20] which covers employee relations, compensation and benefits, training, on-boarding, and development practices.

Taylor's weekly column in USA Today, titled "Ask HR," touches on employee burnout, job productivity, workplace culture, and other topics.[21] Taylor also publishes op-ed columns in other mainstream publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, where he has advocated for civility at work amid political tensions.[22] Alongside Career Club President Bob Goodwin, Taylor hosts the podcast “The Work Wire,” discussing how the latest news affects the workplace.[23]

Public speaking

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Taylor has delivered presentations where he discusses the future of human resources. He speaks on business leadership, diversity, management, politics at work,[24] and human resources. Taylor has been featured by The Today Show, CNBC,[25] Reuters, CBS Evening News, Time, Fortune,[26] The Wall Street Journal,[27] The Guardian,[28] and HR Magazine, among others.

In September 2021, Taylor held a virtual event as part of the Big Ideas Speaker Series at Rotman Livestream, where he discussed his book, Reset: A Leader's Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval, remote work, and increased focus on diversity and inclusion.[29] In 2022, Taylor spoke at the University of Miami graduation ceremony at the Watsco Center.[30] On December 1, 2023, he was guest speaker at the 15th Global Peter Drucker Forum in Vienna, where he discussed "Creative Resilience, Leading in an Age of Discontinuity."[31][32]

In May 2024, Taylor spoke at the Milken Institute Global Conference about workforce resiliency.[33] In October 2024, Taylor mentored students at High Point University (HPU) as HPU’s “Human Capital Expert in Residence.”[34] That same month, he delivered the keynote speech at the Global Conference on Human Resources in Accra, Ghana, discussing the intersection of artificial intelligence and HR technologies.[35] In May 2025, Taylor spoke about leadership at Oklahoma City Community College.[36]

Taylor has testified before Congress on several occasions, covering workforce issues such as sexual harassment and paid leave. In April 2021, he testified before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on the civil rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to its disproportionate impact on people of color, women, and other vulnerable workers.[37] In February 2025, he testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee on workforce development.[38]

Board positions

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Taylor sits on the corporate boards of Guild Education, Flores HR, and XPO, Inc.[39] He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including United Way Worldwide and Jobs for America’s Graduates.[40] Taylor is chairman of LifeGuides’ Social Impact Council.[41][42][43]

Taylor previously served on the boards of the University of Miami, iCIMS, Gallup Inc., AuBon Pain, Inc., Cooper Union, Society for Human Resource Management/SHRM, Drake University, BlumenthalPerforming Arts Center, Leader to Leader Institute f/k/a The Peter F. Drucker Foundation, YMCA of the USA, and Johnson C. Smith University.[44] He was an advisor to Safe Streets and Second Chances, a program working to reduce recidivism among previously incarcerated individuals.[45]

Taylor has served in several government appointed positions. He acted as chair to President Trump’s Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and served on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board.[46] The board advises the National Council for the American Worker on how to ensure that students and workers have access to the resources they need to succeed in the global economy.[47] In 2020, Taylor was U.S. Representative Mark Walker’s guest for the State of the Union address.[48] and in 2024, he was appointed as an official advisor and member of Nectar’s Advisory Board.[49]

Articles

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  • "The digital transformation is a skills and education opportunity for all. Companies must use it." World Economic Forum (February 20, 2019)[50]
  • "Can worker get written up for changing TV to Fox News? Free-speech rights differ in office" USA Today (March 26, 2019)[51]
  • "Flexibility in the Workplace Is No Longer an Anomaly" Future of Business and Tech (December 11, 2019)[52]
  • "The Power of People You Overlook" Wiley Library (September 26, 2021)[53]
  • "How do I support employees' caregiving needs?" USA Today (May 3, 2022)[54]
  • "How can workplace health equity lead to a fair and just society?" World Economic Forum (May 12, 2023)[55]
  • "Should there be flexibility in company vacation policies? Ask HR" USA Today (March 4, 2025)[56]
  • "How do I prepare for potential layoffs at work? Ask HR" USA Today (May 6, 2025)[57]
  • "Can a worker be fired without a reason? Ask HR" USA Today (June 3, 2025)[58]
  • "How do I avoid nepotism perception when recommending a relative for a job? Ask HR” USA Today (July 8, 2025)[59]

Awards and recognitions

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  • In 2011, Taylor was named on Ebony magazine's "Power 100" list of influential African-Americans.[60] In March 2019, Drake University awarded Taylor their alumni of the year award.[5]
  • In 2020, he received the Distinguished Executive of the Year Award from the Academy of Management.[61] The same year he was named a top ten human resources influencer by the LaSalle Network and a King Legacy Award recipient at the 29th International Salute to the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast.[62][63] In 2021, Taylor was named Professional Society CEO of the Year by CEO Update.[64]
  • Taylor was recognized by Washingtonian magazine as one of Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2023.[65]

Personal life

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Taylor married former WNBA player Charlotte Smith-Taylor in 2002. The marriage ended in 2007.[66] Taylor has one child and resides in the Washington metropolitan area.[67]

References

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  1. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP". SHRM.org. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Boyer, Dave (February 27, 2018). "Trump appoints chairman of advisory board for HBCUs". Washington Times. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  3. ^ "Drake Law School - Spotlight". drake.edu.
  4. ^ "Drake Law School - News & Events". drake.edu.
  5. ^ a b "Drake Law School announces 2019 alumni award winners". Drake University Newsroom. March 12, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, - Jr. Chair, Executive Compensation Committee Worldwide Board of Trustees President and Chief Executive Officer SHRM | United Way Worldwide". www.unitedway.org. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  7. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. | Board of Directors | iCIMS". iCIMS | The Leading Cloud Recruiting Software. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  8. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President & CEO, SHRM - National Journal".
  9. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer; SHRM - Aspen Institute".
  10. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. - iCIMS".
  11. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor - Black Entrepreneurs & Executives".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Tedeschi, Bob (April 14, 2008). "Beaming Online Services Toward Blacks". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "Member-Schools". Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  14. ^ Gurchiek, Kathy (December 16, 2020). "SHRM Foundation Introduces Getting Talent Back to Work Certificate". SHRM. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  15. ^ Lebowitz, Shana. "The CEO of the world's largest HR organization led a $20 million turnaround. Meet Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a visionary who insiders say embraces layoffs and dismisses COVID-19 fears". Business Insider. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  16. ^ Lebowitz, Shana. "The CEO of the world's largest HR organization led a $20 million turnaround. Meet Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a visionary who insiders say embraces layoffs and dismisses COVID-19 fears". Business Insider. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  17. ^ Parisi, ByKristen. "SHRM changes course on DE&I, shifts focus to inclusion". HR Brew. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  18. ^ "We've been thinking about this for a while. | Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  19. ^ Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
  20. ^ "The Trouble with HR: An Insider's Guide to Finding and Keeping the Best People by Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. and Gary M. Stern". Graziadio Business Review | Graziadio School of Business and Management | Pepperdine University. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  21. ^ Jr, Johnny C. Taylor. "How to be productive in a remote work environment: Ask HR". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  22. ^ "Tempers Are Hot Leading Up to Election Day. We Must Practice Civility, Especially at Work". U.S. News & World Report.
  23. ^ "The Work Wire". WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  24. ^ "People are going to talk politics in the office, so here's how to manage potential conflict". September 22, 2022.
  25. ^ "Parent PLUS Loan Program Reform - Too Little, Too Late". CNBC. August 8, 2014. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  26. ^ LEV-Ram, MICHAL. "Apple commits more than $50 million to diversity efforts - Fortune". Fortune.
  27. ^ Sue Shellenbarger (August 17, 2011). "Recruiters at Black Colleges Break From Tradition". WSJ.
  28. ^ Smith, David (November 5, 2024). "Joy, fascism and a staggering gender gulf mark a US election like no other". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  29. ^ "Big Ideas Speaker Series at Rotman Livestream - Johnny C. Taylor Jr".
  30. ^ "Distinguished speakers to share wisdom with Class of 2022". news.miami.edu. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  31. ^ "This Year's Theme 'Creative Resilience' Made Us Think". Good Morning April. December 2, 2023.
  32. ^ "Johnny C Taylor, Jr: Reshaping workplaces for a thriving future ". IMD.org.
  33. ^ "Panel - The Value of Workforce Resiliency: Employers Advancing Health while Driving Economic Growth | Milken Institute". milkeninstitute.org. May 6, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  34. ^ "HPU Human Capital Expert Johnny C. Taylor Jr. Mentors Students | High Point University". www.highpoint.edu. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  35. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor Jr. to deliver keynote speech at Global AI x HR Conference in Africa". Modern Ghana. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  36. ^ jsharpe (April 25, 2025). "Leading Through Change: A Conversation with Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. - Oklahoma City Community College". www.occc.edu. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  37. ^ "Written Testimony of Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Society for Human Resource Management". US EEOC. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  38. ^ "Hearing Recap: The State of American Education". Committee on Education & the Workforce. February 5, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  39. ^ "Global Leader and SHRM President Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. to Address Bowie State University Graduates". Bowie State University.
  40. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, - Jr. Chair, Executive Compensation Committee Worldwide Board of Trustees President and Chief Executive Officer SHRM | United Way Worldwide". www.unitedway.org. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  41. ^ "Trustee named CEO of the Year by CEO Update". News.Miami.edu. March 11, 2021.
  42. ^ "American Red Cross Elects Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. as New Member to National Board of Governors". Cision. July 20, 2018.
  43. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, Jr". Savoy. June 16, 2023.
  44. ^ "President and Chief Executive Officer, Society for Human Resource Management". U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. October 22, 2018.
  45. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. - SHRM-SCP, President and CEO". Jag.org.
  46. ^ "Johnny Taylor Jr., GR'91, LW'92, named chairman of President Trump's HBCU advisory board". Drake University. February 28, 2018.
  47. ^ "American Workforce Policy Advisory Board". U.S. Department of Commerce.
  48. ^ "Johnny Taylor Jr., GR'91, LW'92, named chairman of President Trump's HBCU advisory board". February 28, 2018.
  49. ^ "PeakSpan Capital - Nectar Welcomes Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of SHRM, as Official Advisor". www.peakspancapital.com. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  50. ^ "The digital transformation is a skills and education opportunity for all. Companies must use it". World economic forum. February 20, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  51. ^ Jr, Johnny C. Taylor. "Can worker get written up for changing TV to Fox News? Free-speech rights differ in office". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  52. ^ "Flexibility in the Workplace Is No Longer an Anomaly". Business and Tech. December 11, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  53. ^ Taylor, Johnny C. (September 2021). "The Power of People You Overlook". Leader to Leader. 2021 (102): 14–19. doi:10.1002/ltl.20598. ISSN 1087-8149. S2CID 244218709.
  54. ^ Taylor, Johnny C. Jr. "How do I support employees' caregiving needs? Ask HR". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  55. ^ "How can workplace health equity lead to a fair and just society?". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  56. ^ Jr, Johnny C. Taylor (March 14, 2025). "Should there be flexibility in company vacation policies? Ask HR". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  57. ^ Jr, Johnny C. Taylor. "How do I prepare for potential layoffs at work? Ask HR". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  58. ^ Jr, Johnny C. Taylor. "Can a worker be fired without a reason? Ask HR". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  59. ^ Jr, Johnny C. Taylor. "How do I avoid nepotism perception when recommending a relative for a job? Ask HR". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  60. ^ Lewis, Terry (December 9, 2017). "Taylor address ASU graduates". Albany Herald. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  61. ^ "Johnny C. Taylor - President and Chief Executive Officer, the Society for Human Resource Management".
  62. ^ "Steny Hoyer, four other leaders from different fields honored at MLK legacy event". The American Bazaar. January 22, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  63. ^ "Top HR Influencers to Follow in *2020". LaSalle Network. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  64. ^ Gutierrez, Barbara. "Trustee named CEO of the Year by CEO Update | University of Miami Development and Alumni Relations". news.miami.edu. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  65. ^ "Washington DC's 500 Most Influential People of 2023". Washington DC. April 27, 2023.
  66. ^ "Converting The Shot - Carolina Alumni". Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  67. ^ Lebowitz, Shana. "The CEO of the world's largest HR organization led a $20 million turnaround. Meet Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a visionary who insiders say embraces layoffs and dismisses COVID-19 fears". Business Insider. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
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