It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

Greg shares why technical skills only get you so far, and the actions needed to think at a different level to make yourself more valuable.  He explains the right and wrong way to approach a potential mentor and the two key reasons people choose to follow leaders.  He shares the difference between being a Rock Star and an All Star, plus why you don’t want to work at a place where you’re the smartes...

DEI Advisors and Marriott International host this special edition in celebration of International Women's Day. Rachel Humphrey and Marriott's Former Chief Franchise Officer, Karen Finberg, discuss their paths to leadership and how the lessons they've learned along the way have influenced their leadership styles and personal growth over time, They talk about common themes among leade...

Dr. Donte Vaughn shares how his company helps clients develop mechanisms to influence how leaders engage, interact, and make decisions, to realize their full potential.  He explains the importance of treating DEIB as a fundamental business strategy, rather than an initiative, in order to be impactful and sustainable, and why he doesn’t believe in quotas.  Finally, Donte describes 4 actions leaders...

Lynette shares how advocating for herself followed by her persistence led to her career in hospitality and the CEO role she holds today.  She discusses mentors and champions who have and continue to provide her support and how she approaches public speaking. Lynette talks about overcoming obstacles and how organizational skills and designated time off help her manage to find work life balance. Las...

Kevin discusses his transition from his long-time corporate career to foundation executive, how he identifies talent and builds teams around him, and the progress the hospitality industry is making towards becoming more diverse at all levels. He shares his insights on everything from leading during the pandemic to his strategies for trying to find his balance in his personal and professional lives...

Tori talks about how the combination of being kind and compelling can take you far.  She also shares her strategies for developing relationships with decision-makers on both sides of an issue, which of her character traits she relied upon in helping her lead through the pandemic, and which public speaking opportunities she thrives in as well as how she prepares for them.  Tori also discusses how s...

Suzanne shares why and how she started the 2nd HVS office in the mid-80s, a time when it was rare for women to own businesses.  She discusses how she handles contentious situations and how she has evolved her leadership style to match the person she’s working with.  Suzanne also shares advice on how to advocate for yourself, why building and sustaining [business] relationships should be a priority...

Tom shares his path to becoming COO and EVP of RLJ and Chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees and how his passion for and involvement with the Foundation has helped develop him as a leader. He discusses the lessons he's learned from his mentors and how he relies on peer to peer learning in continuing to grow as an executive. Tom also offers his strategy for tackling risks and overcomi...

Clayton Reid, Chairman of MMGY, speaks about the importance of being intentional in your career choices and being committed to the long-term success of goals and finding people who share your commitment level. He speaks to the importance of sacrifice and acknowledges the challenges that puts on work-life balance. He shares his personal and his company’s willingness to challenge conventional thinki...

Chip shares his career path from dishwasher to chief development officer, showcasing an entire career in the service industry.  He discusses the importance of knowing your values and how he chooses making decisions which are right versus ones which are easy. Chip also talks about the importance of relationships, how he's managed a demanding career on the road while also prioritizing time with...

Anna shares how her career in trade associations and non-profits has shaped her leadership style and how relationship building became her superpower along the way. She discusses skill development, public speaking, and identifying whether advocating for yourself is safe and if so, how to go about doing it.  Anna also talks about her view of each individual as a whole person, rethinking the idea of...

Mit shares how he led Noble Investment to spectacular success and how he prevailed over challenges, setbacks and disappointments. He offers advice on coaching and mentoring and how he built an admirable culture at Noble. We discuss challenges that women and other underrepresented groups face and Mit offers advice on finding mentors, champions and advocates as well as networking. He also offers tho...

Tracy shares how she became one of the hotel industry’s first African American female owners, and how she built a network that includes the industry’s top CEOs, just 6 years after moving from healthcare into hospitality.  She shares the inspiration behind the She Has a Deal pitch competition, a non-profit she founded that encourages and teaches women how to become hotel owners.  She also discusses...

Mitch Patel shares his personal journey to leadership and the many lessons he’s learned along the way.  Mitch discusses the impact his parents, both immigrants to the US, have had on his life and how he has evolved into the parent and spouse he is today, all the while growing his hotel business.  He discusses the critical importance of having a personal brand, how that has impacted his ability to...

Paul discusses his journey from newspaper boy to general counsel of Wyndham with stops in Germany and a large New York City firm along the way. He shares the leadership lessons he learned from living abroad, from his wife and two children, and from one of his mentors who told him you cannot lead others if you don't lead yourself. Paul talks about servant leadership and how he continues to gro...

Emily shares her journey from her roles in public relations to the Founder of Hertelier, an online news platform inspiring women working in the hotel industry. She discusses the important lessons she has learned from being an entrepreneur, but also from overcoming challenges and setbacks (there are no such things as failures) and how taking risks has taken her career to heights she never imagined....

Alison is a risk taker who believes you should be part of the solution and seek to uplift people in your daily life.  Alison is a true globalist and has lived in many countries and has always sought the opportunity to learn and embrace the culture of the community where she was living.  Being optimistic is a big part of being a risk taker and she explains how she put her trust in those who could s...

Peter talks about how he discovered his passion for the hotel industry at an early age and how that passion has powered his success.  He identifies the important factors of success and the lessons he learnt from his father in keeping the focus on driving business outcomes.  For Peter A+B= C , is a simple formula for success.  He took to heart his belief in treating every person with compassion and...

Monika shares her career journey in a field traditionally dominated by men. She reveals her learnings from setbacks and her approach to challenges. We also have frank discussions as to why women and other underrepresented groups continue to face difficulties in landing executive leadership positions, and her advice on finding champions and on networking. She offers her perspectives on finding pass...

Talene shares her path to leadership and why her lateral moves were not only necessary but also had the greatest impact on her trajectory, as well as how she adapts to leading a team she previously served alongside.  Talene also discusses how important it is to be uncomfortable, how she tackles risks and challenges, and why being able to laugh has helped her manage the stresses of career and home....

Harry shares the pivotal moments of his career journey that led to his success. He talks frankly about the disappointments and setbacks in his career and the lessons learned. We discuss the importance of risk taking, finding mentors/sponsors and networking. Harry reveals his secret in finding inspiration in disruptive thinking and his structured approach in corporate purpose and employee empowerme...

Marina shares her story from executive assistant to the GM of her first hotel to chief marketing officer of a global brand. She credits being comfortable getting uncomfortable, taking risks, having incredible mentors, and overcoming her fears with so many of her decisions along the way. She shares her mantra "work life choices" and talks about the large, broad support system she has buil...

Teague talks about his entry into the family business, his style of leadership, and how he builds and develops the talented team around him. He shares how taking a risk at the start of the pandemic has ultimately played a role in leading to the company's most successful year yet and how he overcomes challenges. He discusses his public speaking advice, prioritizing the life part of work life,...

Lina shares her learnings from leading over 1000 people on their journey to Kailash, and her experience being a pioneer in women hotel ownership 20 some years ago. She discusses her passion in serving on the boards of AAHOA and LPS and the launch of HerOwnership program. Lina then offers lessons from the disappointments and setbacks in her career and some tips on networking. We also talk about ove...

In this interview, Mike reveals how venturing into unfamiliar territory helped him build a solid foundation, and his experience working with the Rowling family who acquired and transformed Omni Hotels & Resorts. We discuss the disappointments and setbacks in his career and the lessons he learned. Mike talks about his mentors and sponsors, and how embracing diversity, equity and inclusion has h...