Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., is President & CEO of SHRM, the world's largest trade association of HR professionals. Since his transformational tenure began in 2017, the organization has grown to nearly 340,000 members across 180 countries—impacting more than 362 million workers. Taylor has steered SHRM and its global community through major shifts and opportunities—offering bold guidance on prioritizing civility and inclusion, navigating workplace disruption, and embracing innovative technology like AI. In reshaping SHRM’s strategy, he has elevated HR’s influence in business and policy on a broader scale. Taylor’s career spans more than 20 years as a lawyer and executive. Prior to SHRM, he was President & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, elevating its visibility, revenue, and impact while expanding scholarships and advocacy. He has also served on federal advisory boards for workforce policy and HBCUs and is the bestselling author of RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval, as well as “Ask Johnny,” a weekly column for USA TODAY.