DEI Advisors Podcast
DEI Advisors Podcast
David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott
Every week, DEI Advisors brings you practical advice and insightful perspectives from hospitality industry leaders or other accomplished professionals with the goal to inspire future leaders and improve their career trajectories. Each interview highlights an advisor who shares inflection points of his/her career journey and lessons learned from overcoming challenges and taking risks. The interviews are full of useful tips on finding mentors and advocates, networking, continuous learning, overcoming ”imposter syndrome,” achieving work life harmony, and more.
Gissell Moronta, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing, Atrium Hospitality interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Join Dorothy Dowling as Gissell shares her inspiring journey to America, honing her leadership skills to become an amazing executive. Gissell's self-made path, balancing work, part-time school, and parenting, inspires us all. Don't miss her incredible story!
Jun 5, 2024
37 min
Kimberly Twiggs, Associate VP of Market Development, DIRECTV, interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Join me on a transformative journey with Kimberly Twiggs, as we delve into her destination career at DIRECTV. Kim's story reveals how her executive journey has been rooted in her unwavering commitment to excellence. Through her narrative, we witness the pivotal role of mentorship and advocacy from leaders in propelling her career forward.
May 29, 2024
39 min
Alicia Evanko-Lewis, EVP Events, Northstar Travel Group Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Alicia shares how the hard work her parents instilled in her has impacted her including leading to an unexpected career in the events industry. She talks about the new skills she's developed as her career has progressed and why the leadership traits of authenticity and kindness are common among those leaders she admires most. Alicia also discusses public speaking, overcoming doubt, support systems, tackling risks, and her advice to her younger self.
May 21, 2024
29 min
Caroline Strachan, CEO, Festive Road interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Caroline shares how her roles as a buyer, travel manager, and supplier have propelled her to become the CEO of Festive Road. Her primary motivation has always been to do her best work and to embrace possibilities and to become a skilled communicator.
May 13, 2024
36 min
Michele Allen, Chief Financial Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Michele shares why it's so important to have a positive voice in your head as you tackle challenges and self-doubt. She discusses how her leadership has evolved over time and the role communication has played in that process. Michele talks about the intentionality of setting non-negotiables for your self-care and family priorities and the need to be aligned with a company which supports those needs.
May 3, 2024
25 min
John Fareed, Global Chairman, Horwath HTL, Interviewed by David Kong
John offers highlights of his newly released book on personal branding and shares his personal mantra. He reflects on the most profound lessons from his professional journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and how to cultivate effective mentor relationships. John articulates the importance of embracing risk and provides advice on coalescing diverse perspectives to achieve alignment.
Apr 26, 2024
32 min
Jay Shah, Senior Advisor, Hersha Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Jay describes the important distinction between managing and leading, and he shares his approach to taking risks. He also explains why the easiest approach to networking is thinking of it as developing friendships, and why hospitality is a great connector. He shares a quote that helps overcome self-doubt, and why slowing down for big decisions can be advantageous.
Apr 16, 2024
35 min
Fran Brasseux, CEO, ICHRIE interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Fran's career journey, emphasizing the importance of patience, perseverance, and personal empowerment. Fran shares her experiences transitioning from the hotel industry to association management and academia, highlighting the complexities and rewards of working within associations to make impactful changes.
Apr 11, 2024
34 min
Jacqueline Gifford, Editor-in-Chief, Travel & Leisure Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Jacqui discusses her love of books, how living and traveling internationally have impacted her leadership, and how she manages her heavy travel schedule. She shares her strategies for effective public speaking and which skill she thinks is important in any industry but also as a life skill. Jacqui also talks about the efforts behind increasing diversity in the travel industry and also what she would tell her younger self.
Apr 5, 2024
29 min
Chirag Shah, Executive Vice President, Federal and Political Affairs & Counsel, AHLA Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Chirag discusses how he builds important relationships especially when election cycles change frequently those who hold leadership positions. He talks about lifelong leadership lessons he learned as both a high school attendee and an annual counselor at Boys State and other lessons from his professors and mentors. He also shares his advice on work life harmony, public speaking, and how he hires and develops great teams.
Apr 3, 2024
32 min
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