John D. Vegas

John is a sought-after executive coach, leadership consultant, and former C-suite executive for Fortune 500 companies. With a distinguished background as the Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Unifi, Inc., and CHRO for G&K services, John possesses extensive experience in strategy, consulting, leadership, general management, and entrepreneurship across various industries, including chemical, energy, defense, and aerospace, retail, food service, health care, lodging, restaurants, retail, spirits, and consumer package goods.

As a business executive, John has successfully led turnarounds, spearheaded market entries, and facilitated transformations. His expertise as a human resources and general management executive is demonstrated through his ability to design end-to-end human capital solutions, play at the intersection of strategy and people, partner to build innovative and scalable solutions, and design strategies to meet customers’ specific needs.

Notably, John launched numerous business, growth, talent, and leadership initiatives at Ecolab and was honored with the prestigious Ecolab Pewter Plate Award, given annually to one executive for making outstanding contributions to the company. He also played a pivotal role in founding the Organizational Development function at Food Lion, where his team facilitated the development of the enterprise’s new core values, vision, and mission and developed the talent strategy for all employees, including senior executives.

He believes successful executives and organizations work purposefully, promote trust, motivate and inspire leaders, value employees’ contributions, and consistently deliver superior results. His commitment to fostering positive workplace environments and his strategic management approach set him apart. His contributions are widely recognized, making him a sought-after leader, executive coach, and consultant.

John specializes in executive and leadership coaching, talent strategy design, leadership assessment instruments, succession planning, performance management tools, redesigning organizational structure, compensation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and leading change. John has customized and scaled solutions for both startups and Fortune 500 companies.

His educational background includes a master’s in organizational development from American University and a bachelor’s in government and legal studies and Sociology from Bowdoin College. He furthered his studies in leadership, strategy, human resources, and general management at the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, and Harvard University. As an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified executive coach, John holds an Advanced Certified Personal & Executive Coaching (ACPEC) certificate from the College of Executive Coaching.

John is also a Senior Consultant for Simpactful, an internationally renowned consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail consulting firm, and a Gestalt International Study Center faculty member. He serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of Texas and the Herzl Camp Board of Directors. He is the President of Bowdoin College’s Association of Latinx Alumni and a previous board member of The Nature Conservancy of MN, Metropolitan State University Foundation Board, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities.