John Toy '92: Blending Law, Leadership, and Practical Learning in HR Education

John Toy's '92 career path has been anything but traditional, every step shaping his approach to leadership in human resources, ethics and compliance. With a law degree from Albany Law School and decades of experience in employment law, labor relations, corporate HR, and ethics and compliance, Toy brings a practitioner's perspective to the classroom.

He began his career after graduating from Albany Law School as an attorney focusing on labor and employment law matters. While Toy thrived in private practice representing public and private employers in collective bargaining, at arbitration proceedings and in court, he found himself drawn more to the people-centered aspects of the profession rather than litigation. This realization led him to leave private practice and step into the world of human resources. "I always viewed human resources as my Plan B," Toy explains. "I came to human resources as a subject-matter expert in labor and employment law, but I had a lot to learn in the other aspects of HR along the way." 

Toy's career spanned major corporations, including Pfizer, Boston Scientific, and GlobalFoundries, where he led global HR transformations, policy development, and the creation and operationalization of global HR Service Excellence and Ethics and Compliance programs. His legal background proved invaluable while leading global organizations to effectively navigate business challenges and risks. Throughout his career, his legal training helped him step back, assess situations, and make informed decisions in high-pressure environments. "Law school taught me critical thinking," he says. "In the business world, everyone is moving fast, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is pause and think through the broader implications before making a decision." 

Alongside his corporate success, Toy's passion for teaching has remained constant. He embraced every opportunity to teach from the very beginning of his career, training employees and executives on employment law related matters, ethics, and leadership strategies. When the opportunity arose to teach employment law at Albany Law School's Online Graduate Program in Human Resources and Leadership, he initially had doubts. "I didn't think an online format would provide enough engagement," he admits. "But I was wrong. The way these courses are designed allows for deeper discussion and real-life application of legal principles." 

Toy integrates 12 real-world discussion prompts in his employment law course—scenarios drawn directly from his HR career. Students must navigate these complex issues as if they were HR leaders, balancing legal compliance with stakeholder management, business priorities, and corporate culture. "It's not just about knowing the law," he explains. "It's about applying it in a way that works in the real world. You have to figure out how to influence leadership, correct behavior, and manage risk—all while keeping an organization running smoothly." 

This hands-on approach reflects Toy's broader teaching philosophy. He believes students learn best through storytelling. "I don't just lecture for three hours," he says. "I want students to engage, think critically, and leave class with tools they can use in their careers the next day." One of his key assignments involves experiential journaling, where students reflect on past workplace situations and analyze how they might handle them differently with their new knowledge. "It's about taking theory and making it personal," he says. "I want students to see how these concepts apply to their own professional lives." 

Toy also sees law school as a form of trade school that should prepare students for the practical realities of their profession. While he notes that the JD Program and the Online Graduate Program serve different purposes, he believes both offer essential practical training. "Law school immerses you in the legal profession, but the graduate program provides a practitioner's view of the law," he explains. "For HR and compliance professionals, it's not about becoming a lawyer—it's about understanding the legal landscape well enough to make informed, strategic decisions." 

At the heart of his teaching is a singular goal: ensuring students walk away with applicable skills. "If there's one thing I want every student to gain from my class, it's the ability to apply these principles in the real world," he says. "It's not about memorizing case law—it's about knowing how to solve problems and navigate challenges in your career." 

As a lifelong practitioner and educator, Toy brings a wealth of experience to Albany Law School's Online Graduate Program, proving that legal education extends far beyond the courtroom. With a career built on adaptability, strategic thinking, and ethical leadership, he now dedicates himself to preparing the next generation of HR and compliance professionals for the complexities of the workplace. 

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