From Message to Meaning
Paul Mayer (’05), Director – Internal Communications, The Home Depot
Tell us about your current role.
I lead Enterprise Internal Communications at The Home Depot, reaching hundreds of thousands of associates. Our team shapes the company’s internal story and highlights how strategy comes to life through people. Day to day, we build content and campaigns that inform, equip and inspire associates in our Store Support Center and in the field.
During my time at Home Depot, I have supported technology, marketing, digital, contact centers and later, supply chain. Those stops gave me a 360-degree view of the business and the different audiences we serve. Our goal is simple – make the important interesting so teams know how their role connects to our company’s success.
As a corporate storyteller, what makes a good story?
Start with the audience. Define the problem. Show proof and human stakes. End with a clear call to action. When we tell associate stories, we do more than recount events – we highlight the impact on a customer, a team or a community. That is what people remember.
You have worked across retail, manufacturing, advertising and media. What core communications challenge shows up everywhere, and how do you approach it?
Finding the human element. The stories that cut through are relatable and show impact. I look for a simple story arc, a main character, a real problem and a meaningful resolution. We ask questions that get beyond the “what” to the why it matters for people. When you highlight human stakes and outcomes, you can make the important interesting.
How is the role of communications changing in large companies, and what skills will matter most for the next generation?
The media landscape has changed and how people consume information has changed. Communicators need fluency across mediums – social, video, written and experiential – because audiences are diverse. At Home Depot, we have five generations in the workforce, so we listen closely to the needs of our associates with surveys and feedback. We use all channels but tailor the message to the medium. We also use internal social channels, in-store screens and gamification when it fits the message.
What was your path to this role, and how did Wake Forest help prepare you?
I started in sports media at ISP Sports (now Learfield). We were a small team, which meant wearing many hats and learning fast. Then, I joined Family Dollar’s corporate communications team, where I learned what communications looked like at a large corporation. Next, I moved to Domtar – a global pulp and paper company. My wife and I moved to Atlanta, where I found my next role leading corporate communications at MarketSource. I joined The Home Depot in 2017, first focused on technology communications before broadening to enterprise roles.
Wake Forest prepared me through relationships and real-world experience. Between junior and senior years, I interned at Krispy Kreme and worked for Steve Bumgarner (‘95, MBA ‘02, P ‘26), who became a mentor and remains a trusted advisor. The Wake network is tight-knit and generous – that community has been a constant throughout my career.
Are there faculty, courses, or Wake moments that still influence you today?
One moment stands out. I grew up near New York City and still revisit Dr. Hearn’s candlelight vigil remarks from September 11. That message about community, compassion and purpose continues to shape how I lead and serve. Each year on September 11th, I reread Dr. Hearn’s speech.
What advice would you give today’s students who aspire to lead in major corporations?
Invest in relationships early and often. Get to know people in a genuine way – storytelling is about connection. Also, learn from every role, especially the hard ones. My early live-broadcast experience at ISP Sports felt far from corporate communications at the time. Years later, during the pandemic, that fast-paced live environment helped me deliver large-scale virtual events to thousands of associates.
Personally, you have a deep history of service with Special Olympics, Wounded Warrior Project and Habitat for Humanity. How do you choose where to give your time and expertise?
Veteran causes are especially meaningful – my dad and grandfather served, and many friends did, as well. I also love sports and have enjoyed working with Special Olympics. One thing I appreciate about Home Depot is how easy the company makes it to get involved through Team Depot. It is rewarding when your employer supports the causes you care about.
How has volunteering influenced you personally or professionally?
Service keeps you grounded and focused on people. We are celebrating 30 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity in greater Atlanta and Austin. Seeing families step into their first home is a powerful reminder that our business is built on solving problems and fulfilling dreams. That perspective shapes how I approach communications at work.
Wake Forest’s motto is Pro Humanitate. How does that connect with Home Depot’s values and your work?
Pro Humanitate calls us to use our talents for the good of others. At Home Depot our values include Taking Care of Our People, Respect for All People, Doing the Right Thing, and Giving Back. In practice that means showing up for associates, customers and communities – and telling stories that reflect those commitments. The alignment between Pro Humanitate and our values is strong – both ask us to leave the world better than we found it.
Spotlight interview conducted by Alumni Council member Jonathan Hartsell (‘99).
