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Women executives have risen to the top of the corporate ladder, whether they are in management or franchise firms or entering into the hotel industry. They’re ready to take on a greater role as decision makers within the lodging sector.
Women from the hospitality industry shared their experiences and opinions on diversity, how to improve diversity in the workplace and other ways that they can help.
Elizabeth Harlow, who joined Sonesta Hotels as Chief Brand Officer four years ago, explains her passion for the lodging industry.
My parents are the ones who have inspired me to love hospitality. Growing up I traveled both nationally and internationally with my parents, which instilled a love for travel in me. She said that travel is important because it gives us, as a society, so many benefits, from appreciating culture to creating extraordinary memories.
Harlow began her career in hospitality in Washington, D.C., working at the Mayflower Hotel’s front desk in the early 1990s. Harlow still calls the Mayflower Hotel one of the “grande dame” hotels when she thinks back on her experience there.
I’m grateful for the experience, because the front desk is the best way to learn about hotels, their operations, and how they deliver services. She noted that the experience was “invaluable”.
Harlow then took on a range of roles with a large number of hotel companies such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Loews Hotels, MGM Resorts International, and The Leading Hotels of the World, before she joined Sonesta.
Harlow said that the 13 brand names of the company have experienced a two-digit growth in brand recognition during her tenure. She called this “terrific”, and detailed the evolution of the company, including the expansion in its brand portfolio after the purchase by Red Lion Hotels Corporation 2021.
“Initially, I managed five brands but these were only five names. Nobody could tell you what their target market was, the brand promise or the positioning for each brand. She said that her first task was to define and position the brands. “This whole journey has proven tremendously rewarding.”
Harlow is also responsible for the TravelPass Rewards Program, which has been consolidated last year after the Red Lion Hello Rewards Program was integrated. Sonesta Travel Pass has more than 7 million members in the world.
Amina James saw an opportunity to become a hotelier and never looked back. She and Norland purchased the Quality Inn Memphis, a 70-room hotel, in 2023, for $3.85million. They then opened the Wyndham Hotel Lake Charles, a 120-room property.
We were interested in expanding our portfolio of businesses and came across the possibility to purchase a franchise. I was attracted to it because of the mix between real estate and hotel franchises. [property] Operation [hospitality]. “Hotels are very durable assets that can also be used to create wealth for future generations,” said Ms.
James said that Wyndham’s BOLD program (Black Owners and Lodging Developers), and Women Own The Room were “pivotal” in helping secure the loan portion of the project, through its relationship to Lafayette Square.
We worked together to create a financing strategy that was creative and flexible for our project. Other financial institutions had made us offers, but their terms did not suit our needs. Wyndham Lafayette Square worked closely with us in order to make our vision a reality,” James said.
Amit Sripathi is the chief development officer at Wyndham Hotel & Resort. He noted that Wyndham Lake Charles was undergoing renovations and a PIP, but he recognized James’ success.
She has dreams of becoming the owner of several hotels. “She is an excellent example of how we have supported the various programs,” said he.
James’s advice was aimed at other hoteliers who “would like to be”.
You should learn everything you can about the hotel business before purchasing a property. It is exciting and different from what our friends do, but it’s important not to hurry into buying a hotel. “Take your time to find the right project for you”, she advised.
Kimberly Rowell, whose career spans more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, was recently appointed EVP at Five Star Hospitality Management & Development. The owner-operator, who focuses on projects in the southeast, currently owns and operates 13 hotels that include economy, midscale and extended stay assets.
Her early travels were cited as the catalyst of her career.
As the daughter of an airline captain I always had a half-packed suitcase. The diversity of hotels, from grand resorts in exotic locations to boutique hotels hidden away, fascinated me. Each property told a story that was shaped by their people and culture. This early exposure ignited a passion for me that has led to a career in which no day is ever the same. I have built exceptional teams, creating unforgettable experiences for guests and building my own business.
Rowell’s hospitality career began with firms like Blackstone, Winegardner & Hammons and HP Hotels. She then helped to create Five Star. She outlined some of the long-term goals for Five Star.
Our goal, with a team that is diverse in its founders, leaders and staff, is to make Five Star one of the nation’s leading hotel owners-operators. Beyond the numbers is impact. “We’re creating an organization in which diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but they’re also the driving force of our success,” Rowell said.
All of the executives agreed that, while women are now better able to advance in their careers than in previous years, there is still a long way to go.
There has been some progress, yes. But as a whole industry and as a country there is still much to do. We are under-represented at the C-Suite, despite the fact that women make up the majority of the work force. Women need the same opportunities as men. No one is trying to tick a box. They want to be part of the meritocracy. “I’ve had the privilege to work for and with incredible women. We deserve equal opportunity,” Harlow said.
Further, she praised the advantages of diversity. We know that diversity in leadership can bring new perspectives, enhance problem-solving, and reflect a wider range of clients, leading to better business results. This is something we all strive for. While I believe that the hospitality industry has a lot to offer women, there is still work to do.
James gave some details on her ideal scenario.
Plan more outreach efforts to underrepresented and nontraditional groups. Partner with local churches or other organizations in the community to promote the advantages of owning a hotel.
James also encouraged the brands to “continue to support and give tools to underrepresented hoteliers, who are seen in the community as role models.” “When people are starting a business, particularly in the Black Community, they seek out a trusted adviser.”
Rowell’s conclusion was that “the hospitality industry has made significant strides towards diversity but, let’s face it, we still have a way to go.” “We need to do more than represent, we also need to access the people and knowledge that will allow us to sit at the table.”
