Andy
on the cover
WAINWRIGHT
Conference Chair,
2021 Tennessee SHRM Strategic Leadership Conference Andy is an international transplant who now lives in Nashville. A native of New Zealand, he spent his first sixteen years growing up in India where his parents were missionaries. After attending college in the UK, he has called Tennessee home for the last 25 years. He previously lived in Memphis and moved to Nashville in 2008. Andy is serving as the Conference Chair for the 2021 TN SHRM Strategic Leadership Conference, held in Nashville on April 30th, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the conference for the first time will be produced both for in-person attendees as well as streamed/ recorded for remote participants. His current role as Professional Development Chair for TN SHRM follows his volunteer leadership roles on the Board of Directors for with Middle Tennessee SHRM (MT|SHRM). Andy currently serves on the Board of Directors for MT|SHRM as immediate Past President. Serving up to 1500 members, MT|SHRM is currently the 6th largest SHRM affiliated chapter in the US. He also served on the MT|SHRM board as President (2018/2019), President Elect (2016/2017), Marketing Director (2015), and Programs Director (2013/2014). Additionally, he served as Conference Chair for the TN SHRM State Conference in Nashville in 2017. The conference recorded the highest ever attendance for a Tennessee SHRM State conference with 1200+ attendees. He attributes this as partially due to the conference managing to secure Tennessee hero Quarterback Peyton Manning as a keynote speaker! During his tenure with MT|SHRM, he has helped drive the strategy, vision, and growth of the chapter. Andy is committed to serving the needs of all members, and fulfilling MT|SHRM’s mission: to support, educate, and connect the diverse membership who are all, in some capacity, connected to the HR profession. Whether an HR practitioner, third party provider, student, consultant, legal advisor, or business leader wearing multiple hats, MT|SHRM is the professional association to support all needs. Andy is quick to note that an organization this size and scope cannot function without the many dedicated people who make things happen on a daily basis. He often says that Tennessee truly is the Volunteer state, with MT|SHRM’s success largely due to the 160+ volunteers who work tirelessly as committee members, volunteers, Chairs and board members. And of course, MT|SHRM’s secret weapon: the incredible staff members, without whom the organization would not be able to function. Andy previously held VP Finance and Membership Board roles with the Memphis Chapter of ATD (formerly ASTD). Focusing on Outplacement, Leadership Coaching and Development, Talent Management, Andy has successfully steered large and high-profile talent management projects for his clients. Projects are often multi-year strategic initiatives requiring careful execution and an ongoing, demonstrated return on investment. His broad experience has allowed him to function as a trusted partner with corporate clients, who benefit from his business acumen and ability to offer strategic advice around best practices in talent management. While technology and process have their place, Andy believes in the power of people, relationships, trust, and accountability. Connect with Andy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andywainwright/.
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