Johnny Taylor Jr. is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR professional society. On April 1, he will headline the Heart of HR: Driving Engagement and Innovation conference in Ocala. Taylor was named one of the 2024 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional. His career spans more than 20 years as a lawyer and executive, serving the IAC, Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster Entertainment and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, among other organizations.
He is a member of the United Way Worldwide Board of Trustees, serves on a number of corporate boards, previously served on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and chaired the President’s Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He writes a weekly column in USA Today and is the author of Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval. 
“When it comes to all things HR, not to mention a professional lifetime in corporate and nonprofit spaces, Johnny C. Taylor is the undisputed leader,” offers Tisha Webber, HR director for Nash Plumbing and Mechanical, who represents OHRMA as conference co-chair. “To say that it’s a ‘great get’ to welcome Mr. Taylor to the Heart of HR is truly an understatement.
Other speakers will include Kate Beeders, a breakthrough-based results coach and founder of the Success Acceleration System, talking about Navigating Difficult Conversations; Kenneth A. Knox, a partner with Fisher Phillips, the Platinum Sponsor for this year’s event, discussing Top Workplace Law Trends; Chris Laney, VP of social impact at Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics, speaking about The Rising Storm: Building a Future-Ready Workforce to Withstand the Looming Labor Shortage; and Jenni Stone, HR director at InfoMC., Inc., and founder of QRS Learning, talking about ChatGPT and Ethics: Navigating AI in HR Practices. 
The conference is presented by CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and the Ocala Human Resources Management Association. It will be emceed by internationally acclaimed workplace motivational humorist, best-selling author and world-class magician Jon Petz. It will take place at the Circle Square Cultural Center on April 1st, 2025. There will be an HR After Dark reception the evening of March 31, also at Circle Square Cultural Center.
Tickets are $175 for all-day access, including refreshments and lunch, or $200 for conference and reception. The walk-in rate is $200. Advance tickets are available at bit.ly/HEARTofHR2025 For group discounts or sponsorship opportunities, email twebber@nashpm.com
