Norwalk, CT – April 18, 2022 – HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the nation’s leading privately held hotel investment and third-party management companies, recently convened in Dallas, TX for the meeting of its Women in Leadership Council. In its third year, the council, led by women, hopes to cultivate more diversity in a male-dominated industry by championing and promoting female leaders within the organization and across their over 90 properties nationwide.
The Women in Leadership Council was formed in 2017 under the leadership of Rachel Moniz, Principal and Chief Operating Officer at HEI, and Kelsey White, Director, Talent Acquisition and Compensation at HEI. “The goal of launching this group was to positively impact career growth within HEI while overcoming the obstacles and challenges we face as women leaders in the hospitality industry,” says Moniz.
“Our long-term goal is to obtain gender parity at the General Manager level across all our properties,” she continues. Since the program launched in 2017 HEI has advanced gender parity from 5%, to 25% by the end of 2021. “We plan to continue on this path and reach 40% representation at the GM level by the end of 2023.”
Currently, the Women in Leadership Council is comprised of 44 members, 8 of which were inducted to the group in 2022. Once a year HEI property General Managers have opportunity to nominate exceptional female leaders into the program. After a review process, members are paired with mentors and sponsors to guide them through the program and introduce them to different verticals within the hospitality industry, one of which is always Rachel Moniz. An exchange program between properties allows members to learn from various industry experts in states outside of their own.
The women’s council recently met in Dallas, TX at Knife Steakhouse, located within The Highland Dallas (an HEI Hotels & Resorts property) followed by a day of volunteering at the North Texas Food Bank. “Having the opportunity to meet with these exceptional women, exchange ideas and learn from each other, while supporting a mission we all passionate about is incredibly inspiring,” says White.
Additionally, the group meets for workshops throughout the year, most recently led by Joann Lublin, Author, “Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life” and Kristy Wallace, CEO of Ellevate Network.
For more information on the Women in Leadership Council or HEI Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.heihotels.com.