SHRM Appoints Carolynn Johnson as President of CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, worker, and workplace, has appointed Carolynn Johnson as the president of CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity, the largest business-led coalition dedicated to advancing inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

Johnson joins SHRM at a moment when employers are navigating heightened legal scrutiny, workforce polarization, reputational risk, and increasing pressure to tie workplace inclusion and diversity initiatives directly to measurable business outcomes.

“I am excited to join SHRM at this key moment, because this work must be built to last,” said Johnson. “In today’s climate of legal uncertainty, fragile trust, and rising incivility, inclusion cannot be treated as optional—it must be legally compliant, workplace unifying, and business accretive. The future of work is being decided in real time—not by perfect language, but by disciplined execution. My goal is to help build an inclusion agenda that is durable, measurable, and economically consequential, because that is what this moment demands and what the workforce deserves.”

With more than two decades of experience at the intersection of talent strategy, data analytics, governance, and executive operations, Johnson is widely regarded as a builder and operator. She most recently served as CEO of Fair360 (formerly DiversityInc), where she led a multi-year transformation of the organization’s research, analytics, and commercial platform. Under her leadership, Fair360 strengthened its predictive workforce analytics capabilities and established a first-of-its-kind partnership with Nasdaq to broaden access to benchmarking data. Johnson also testified before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee on board diversity and disclosure legislation, reinforcing her credibility at the intersection of corporate governance and public policy.

“Carolynn’s deep expertise and a strong commitment to advancing inclusive cultures ideally positions her to lead CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity. Her strategic vision will empower executives to drive meaningful transformation across the business landscape,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO of SHRM. “She joins us at a pivotal moment, when inclusion, trust, and civility are essential for organizational success. Welcoming a leader of her caliber strengthens our mission to elevate inclusion and diversity as catalysts for exceptional performance throughout the global workforce.”

Johnson’s career reflects a consistent focus on quantifiable business outcomes. She has advised global organizations across financial services, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and professional services on compliance-ready, data-driven workforce strategy. She has also held academic and governance roles, including co-directing the Relationships Across Differences roundtable at the Wharton School.

In 2019, shortly after becoming CEO of Fair360, Johnson became a signatory to CEO Action and worked alongside senior leaders to expand the coalition’s reach among enterprise leaders.

“On behalf of the SHRM Board, I am thrilled to welcome Carolynn as the new President of CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity,” said Betty Thompson, SHRM-SCP, Chair, SHRM Board of Directors. “Carolynn’s leadership and passion for advancing workplace belonging and positive change are a perfect fit for SHRM’s mission. We look forward to collaborating with Carolynn to create lasting impact and ensure every employee feels valued and empowered.”

Johnson holds an MBA from Rutgers Business School and completed an executive management fellowship at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She also earned certifications from MIT in Artificial Intelligence in Business Strategy and Machine Learning and Data Systems.

About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.

About CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity
CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity is the largest business-led coalition dedicated to workplace inclusion and diversity. Diversity drives innovation and enhances performance; but there is no sense in achieving diversity if organizations aren't being inclusive. CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity offers unique access to tools, resources and experts equipped to counsel CEOs on how to effectively foster a culture of belonging. Creating inclusive workplaces isn't just a moral imperative; it is a strategic business advantage. Learn more about the coalition at SHRM.org/ceo-action.