'Berg to welcome influential HR practitioner as Commencement speaker

Heidelberg University will hold its 171st Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 12, in Hoernemann Stadium.

Heidelberg University will hold its 171st Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 12, in Hoernemann Stadium.

The Class of 2024 will march from University Hall on Greenfield Street, through campus and into the stadium for the 10 a.m. ceremony.

This year, we will welcome Sylvia Taylor, an experienced human resources executive who has operated in both U.S. and international markets, as our Commencement keynote speaker. Taylor is well-versed in all aspects of HR and has worked in both Fortune 50 and small to mid-cap companies. Currently, she is the Chief Human Resources officer at Safe-Guard Products International, where she leads the design and implementation of key HR processes and systems for talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, performance management, employee engagement, career development, and succession planning.

Previously, she served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources for The Weather Channel and as Vice President of Human Resources at AutoTrader. She also worked in key HR roles with companies such as General Motors, PepsiCo, and Exxon Mobil. In all of her leadership roles, she has worked tirelessly to make sure the right people, processes, and structures were in place to meet strategic business objectives and achieve organizational success.

Among her many awards and recognitions, Taylor has been honored as one of the “Top 10 Breakaway Leaders” by the Global Human Resources Leadership Summit and has served on the Executive Advisory Board of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR). In 2016, she received the “Most Powerful and Influential Woman" Award from the National Diversity Council. The same year, she was named one of the “Top Influential Women in Corporate America" by Savoy Magazine.  She has been a featured speaker at professional conferences and has been featured in several professional podcasts focused on developing and implementing an effective HR strategy.

An Atlanta native, Taylor graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Howard University, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and an MBA. She is married to Heidelberg alumnus Bill Taylor '79 (better known as BT Taylor). During Commencement, she will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree.

During Commencement, Heidelberg will present master’s degrees in business administration, counseling and athletic training. The university will also present Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Music degrees. In all, about 300 members of the Class of ’24 will receive diplomas.

Baccalaureate ceremony to kick off Commencement Weekend

Heidelberg will kick off Commencement Weekend with a non-denominational Baccalaureate service on Saturday afternoon, May 11.

Delivering the keynote sermon will be the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He currently serves as executive director of the Columbus-based Ohio Council of Churches.

In recognition of his work to stop executions, Sullivan was the recipient of the 2022 Death Penalty Abolition Award by Restorative Justice International, the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award, and other humanitarian honors.

Sullivan is the Governing Board Chairperson of Journey of Hope from Violence to Healing and Co-President of the Disciples Justice Action Network. He is an Advisory Board member of the Catholic Mobilizing Network; Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio; Death Penalty Action; Restorative Justice International; and the United States Global Leadership Council.

A Cleveland native, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, a Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Heidelberg will present Sullivan with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during Commencement on Sunday.