About Wade

Wade A. Hinton is an attorney, entrepreneur, and nationally-regarded expert on improving diversity and inclusion outcomes in the workplace.

He is the CEO and Founder of Hinton & Company, a business services firm with a focus on culture and leadership. Hinton & Company provides assessment, engaging leadership development sessions as well as bespoke leadership offerings to support an organization’s cultural and engagement goals.

Wade’s two decades of experience in the private and public sectors include service as the inaugural Vice-President of Inclusion and Diversity for the Unum Group,  City Attorney for the City of Chattanooga, and Deputy General Counsel for Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations.  Wade is also the founder of Board Connector and co-founder of Designation One - platforms connecting historically underrepresented talent to inclusive nonprofit boards.

Community engagement is paramount.

Civically, Wade serves as a board member for Think Tennessee, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Aquarium, and the Chattanooga State Community College Foundation.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Rotary Club of Chattanooga.  Previous board service includes Benwood Foundation (Chair), UTC Chancellor’s Roundtable (Chair), Tennessee State University Foundation, and many more. Wade has also received gubernatorial appointed to state boards and commissions by three different administrations.

Wade has been named a Top 100 Diversity Officer by DiversityFirst, one of 40 best advocates and business leaders under the age of 40 by both the National Bar Association and the Network Journal, respectively, and a Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow and Tennessee YLD Fellow.

Awarded, selected, and honored by peers and global institutions.

He has been awarded the Walter Williams Achievement Award, the Diversity Community Champion for Justice Award, the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga Whitney M. Young Award, the Chattanooga NAACP Thurgood Marshall Award, and the Tennessee NAACP 45 Under 45 Award and selected for programs such as Presidential Leadership Scholars, Leadership Tennessee, and Leadership Chattanooga.  Wade was also a member of Harvard’s inaugural Young American Leaders Program. His interest in foreign policy led him to be selected as a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund and was one of six Americans named to GMF Future of U.S. German-Relations Task Force. 

Strong roots, deep ties, and world traveled.

Wade is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a graduate of Emory University, The University of Memphis School of Law, and studied at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.

His most important role is being a father.  He and his long-time partner Jana have one adorable daughter - Genevieve Silvia Eichel-Hinton.
He also loves to travel, read, work out, and play golf when possible.

Topics

· Community Culture: Measurement & Accountability

· State of Inclusion: No More Business as Usual

· How to be an Inclusive Organization

· Partisan Policy Changes in the Workplace: When to Speak Out

· Action & Accountability… Using Data to Drive Change

· Made a Commitment to Increase Diversity? Start with Inclusion

Testimonials

  • Stacey Keating Headshot

    "Wade’s natural ability to create connections is evident when he takes the stage; his presence and charisma have a way of disarming even the most hard-to-reach attendee. During the planning process, he takes great care to understand the composition of the audience, the organizer’s goals, and expected outcomes to create dynamic, engaging, and relevant content."

    Stacey Keating, Vice President - Corporate Communications
    CBL Properties

  • Shaquanta Locke Headshot

    "Wade Hinton's keynote was a game-changer, infusing our event with energy and invaluable insights. We're eager to tap into his expertise further across our organization, inspired by his ability to engage and set a new standard for excellence. His wealth of knowledge on diversity added an invaluable dimension to his impactful presentation."

    Shaquanta Locke, Manager Supplier Diversity
    Volkswagen Group of America

Book Wade for your next event.

Exceed the expectations of your audience with Wade Hinton on your stage connecting, igniting, and encouraging your teams.