In this NHBSR Member Spotlight, we’re proud to highlight James T. McKim Jr., whose career reflects a thoughtful blend of technology, strategy, and long-term organizational sustainability.

James works as an independent consultant, intentionally structuring his company as primarily a one-person practice and bringing in trusted collaborators when needed. His work focuses on helping organizations strengthen performance at every level — from guiding senior leaders through strategic decisions and aligning people with the right technology resources, to identifying gaps in processes and policies that improve efficiency and effectiveness. At its heart, his work is about helping organizations build a strong foundation for lasting success.

With academic roots in computer science and philosophy — and a technology career that began in the early days of the internet — James brings decades of insight to his work. He developed websites in the 1990s, served as Chief of Staff for the Global Technical Training Division at Hewlett-Packard, founded companies, and patented technology. Across each stage of his career, one belief has remained constant: organizations that endure are those that find the right balance between technology and people.

As technology continues to evolve at an incredible pace, James emphasizes that it should support — not replace — human judgment and connection. He often discusses automation bias, the tendency to over-trust technology, and the importance of recognizing how human thinking shapes the tools we build and use.

This intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, and technology is central to his upcoming book, Decoding Bias, which explores how assumptions influence systems, decisions, and organizational outcomes. He is also the author of The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance (2022), where he defines diversity, equity, and inclusion in depth and demonstrates how those principles apply across marketing, sales, HR, leadership, and beyond. The book frames DEI not as a standalone initiative, but as a strategic driver of stronger performance and long-term sustainability.

Within NHBSR, James serves on both the Measure What Matters Committee and the Advocacy Committee. He contributes to the development of a sustainability accelerator program designed to help organizations expand their impact, and he has been actively engaged in legislative advocacy on issues related to diversity and sustainability in education and state policy.

His advice to emerging leaders is straightforward: understand NHBSR’s definition of sustainability, consider the full ecosystem — environmental, social, and organizational — and identify where your unique strengths can make a meaningful contribution. Sustainable leadership requires strategic thinking, courage, and a long-term commitment to building organizations that truly thrive.