I&D: The Heart of the Matter
Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion has long been a priority for companies across the globe. At SHRM, we have doubled down on efforts to lead with Inclusion & Diversity, to shift our focus from our differences to our commonalities, champion respect and civility, and engage in discussions instead of debates, ultimately ensuring individuals from all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and heard. And we always welcome other perspectives and approaches on this complex and critical topic. Join Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president and chief executive officer of SHRM, and Chris Courneen, Global Head of Human Resources of MSI, for an insightful and candid discussion of the present and future of this critical work.
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally.
As a global leader on the future of employment, culture and leadership, Mr. Taylor is a sought-after voice on all matters affecting work, workers and the workplace. Recognized as one of the “300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” for 2024 by Savoy Magazine and one of the “Most Influential People Shaping Public Policy” in our nation’s capital by Washingtonian Magazine, Mr. Taylor is frequently asked to testify before Congress on critical workforce issues and authors the weekly USA Today column, "Ask HR."
Mr. Taylor's career spans more than 20 years as a lawyer, human resources executive and CEO in both the not-for-profit and for-profit spaces. He has held senior and chief executive roles at IAC/InteractiveCorp, Viacom's Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster Entertainment Group, the McGuireWoods law firm and Compass Group USA. Most recently, Mr. Taylor was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
He is the author of the national bestseller, RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval, which immediately upon its release in September 2021, was in the top three of The Wall Street Journal’s list of best-selling hardcover business books.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the United Way Worldwide Board of Trustees and serves on the corporate boards of XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO), Flores & Associates, and Guild Education. He previously served on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and as chairman of the President's Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities during the Trump Administration.
The Women Business Collaborative (WBC) named Mr. Taylor as one of its 2023 Trailblazers in Gender Equity and Diversity for his work to achieve equal position, pay and power for all women in business. In 2020, he received the Distinguished Executive of the Year Award from the Academy of Management, and he was named 2021 ALA Professional Society CEO of the Year by CEO Update.
He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources and is licensed to practice law in Florida, Illinois and Washington, D.C.
Chris Courneen
Chris is the Global Head of Human Resources at MS International, Inc. (MSI), overseeing HR for the 17th largest importer in the USA and a leading supplier of flooring, countertops, and hard surfaces in North America. With 15+ years of experience in Sales, Distribution, Supply Chain, and HR management, he aligns HR strategies with business goals across MSI's global presence, including the US, Canada, India, China, Vietnam, and Brazil. A certified DEI professional, Chris is a thought leader and national speaker on AI and HR modernization, building global teams, and future-proofing the workforce. He is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces with a strong focus on culture, engagement, and productivity.
