Diversity & Inclusion Council: Identifying challenges in leadership and recruitment

Welcome to the first of a three part series from our diversity and inclusion advisory council.

ISHC and Questex have partnered to create a Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council to lead the global hospitality industry on a path toward a more diverse and sound future where all associates and guests feel welcome and find belonging. We are bringing together the industry’s top thought-leaders on diversity and inclusion, identifying the major challenges to be addressed with regards to diversity and inclusion in hospitality and recognising and sharing actionable best practices to ensure marginalised groups are represented at all levels of leadership within the industry. 

Meet the panel:

Baron Ah Moo, Managing Director-US PKF hotelexperts
Alessandra Alonso, Founder & CEO Women in Travel CIC
Peggy Berg, Chair Castell Project, Inc.
Ronit Copeland, CEO Copeland Hospitality
Valerie Ferguson, Director of Lodging Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Karen Friebe, Partner Bird & Bird
Christopher Henry, Co-Founder & CEO Majestic Hospitality Group
Ashli Johnson, Vice President of Education AAHOA
Asli Kutlucan, Chief Development Officer Cycas Hospitality BV
Chris Mumford, Founder Cervus Leadership Consulting
Tracy L. Prigmore, Founder TLTsolutions
Davonne Reaves, President and Founder The Vonne  Group
Blanche Van Berckel, Founder & CEO, Vous Hotels & Retreats
DeShaun N. Wise Porter, VP Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement Hilton

In this first episode we are discussing leadership and recruitment, identifying some valuable initiatives and ideas that have already made a difference across various sectors in the industry and how to implement these tools from the ground up. 
Executive Director of ISHC, Andrea Belfanti, commented “It is quite encouraging, as well as very humbling, to discuss this issue in a group with top thought leaders in our industry. We do not take this responsibility lightly, and I am grateful for Questex and this incredible group of leaders who have so graciously given their time in service to our industry and underrepresented groups to keep this issue at the forefront. Based on our first leadership-focused discussion, I am encouraged that together we will bring actionable best practices to the industry that will make real change.” 

“As a platform bringing the hospitality community together, we at Questex are committed to improving diversity and inclusion at our events and in our content. We are delighted to be working with ISHC and with a group of such inspiring leaders, to advance the discussion and deliver practical and useful insights for our sector.” said Julie Rey-Gore, Content Director Questex Hospitality & Travel. 

Thanks to our guests on this roundtable:

Baron Ah Moo, Managing Director-US, PKF hotelexperts
Christopher Henry, Co-Founder & CEO, Majestic Hospitality Group
Ashli Johnson, Vice President of Education, AAHOA
Chris Mumford, Founder, Cervus Leadership Consulting
Davonne Reaves, President and Founder, The Vonne  Group
Blanche Van Berckel, Founder & CEO, Vous Hotels & Retreats
 

Join us for our next roundtable which will be focusing on Diversification of Hotel Ownership. 

Stay informed with your industry, subscribe here for our newsletters.