Nicholas Lawrence serves as the Executive Director of People & Culture for one of the largest Chick-fil-A franchise groups in the country.  With over 16 years of leadership experience, including roles at Macy’s, Target, and Chick-fil-A, Nicholas brings a seasoned, people-first perspective to every stage, boardroom and breakout session.

His work centers on helping leaders grow in emotional intelligence, live with clarity of purpose and navigate the hard but necessary conversations that drive meaningful change. His approach is both inspiring and actionable, grounded in the belief that “my pleasure” isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s a moral obligation.

Nicholas is the Founder of Lawrence Leadership, a coaching firm specializing in leadership development and culture transformation.  He currently serves on the Advisory Board of HR Grapevine and holds his SHRM-CP certification. He is experienced in applying the Working Genius model and the Enneagram, leveraging both to help leaders deepen self-awareness and team effectiveness. Nicholas has also developed instructional curriculum that equips emerging leaders to successfully transition from individual contributor roles into leadership, while providing practical frameworks for navigating difficult conversations with confidence and clarity. He also has a heart for local jail ministry, regularly speaking with soon-to-be-released inmates about practical job skills, personal growth and preparing for successful re-entry into the workforce.