About Me
Hi there, I’m James E. Taylor.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” - Nelson Henderson
I grew up in Rochester, NY with dreams of becoming a professional basketball player, but life had different plans for me. Even though my hobbies have always been all over the map, from live music and travel to wine and sports, my career in healthcare has been constant. Today, I’m fortunate to serve as Senior Vice President, and Chief Culture, Community, & Talent Management Officer at UPMC, one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers and most successful integrated heath care delivery and finance systems.
My Career
I earned both a doctorate and master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Before that, I completed undergraduate studies at Ithaca College in New York, where I now serve on the Board of Trustees. I also received an executive leadership certificate from the Harvard Business School of Harvard University.
Two of the most pivotal moments of my career occurred during graduate school. The first was when I had the chance to conduct research on health disparities, and more unexpectedly, to interview and learn directly from the only three Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in existence at the time. That research sparked a lasting interest in organizational culture and identity, especially in how diversity, equity, and inclusion shape leadership pathways in corporate America.
The second moment came one Saturday morning when my father called to tell me my mother had suffered a severe stroke. It was one of the most difficult times of my life—flying back and forth between San Francisco to Rochester, making sure she received the best possible care. But the experience, as difficult as it was, helped me understand the nuances of health care, and heightened my awareness of the relationship between payer and provider.
After I earned my doctorate and master’s, prior to joining UPMC, I became Chief Learning and Diversity Officer at Carolinas Healthcare System. I also served as Executive Director, Diversity Strategy Execution and Workplace Inclusion at Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans.
Today, I execute next-generation inclusion strategies to advance the diversity management capability of UPMC. I provide oversight to the design and execution of an integrated roadmap that offers UPMC highly effective and technologically advanced employee learning, organizational development, succession planning, and consultation services aligned to the institution’s long-term priorities.
Speaking
Connecting with people, sharing stories, and exchanging advice have been cornerstones of my career. I often reflect on the invaluable lessons I learned from the CEOs I interviewed during graduate school. Their wisdom continues to guide me today. I believe future generations deserve the same chance to gain insights from today’s corporate leaders, and I am committed to creating those opportunities through meaningful conversations and presentations.
If you want to bring an engaging, experienced speaker to your organization or event, I invite you to connect with me to explore how we can inspire and empower your audience together.
Recent Topics On My Mind
I am fascinated with culture; it’s what guides me. Read my thoughts on leadership, innovation, diversity, and other relevant topics.
Is the Art of Good Conversation Lost in the Age of Constant Communication?
“Ah, good conversation—there’s nothing like it, is there? The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing.” So wrote Edith Wharton, the Pulitzer Prize–winning…
Moving from Command-and-Control to Trust-and-Empowerment: Why We Needed One Leadership Style to Have the Other
In conversation about leadership, it’s become popular to talk about a “command-and-control” style of management as a relic or something of the past. And yes,…
The Disconnect Between Public Discord & Private Apology
Whether at work, in politics, or online, conflict is inevitable. But that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy or unwarranted. In fact, healthy conflict is a necessary…