Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Kong launches organization to help women, minorities in hospitality

DEI Advisors will interview various industry leaders to provide insight for those who need it

Kong launches organization to help women, minorities in hospitality

DAVID KONG, THE recently retired CEO of Best Western Hotel Group, has launched DEI Advisors, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women and other minority groups to achieve their career aspirations. Specifically, it plans to close the diversity gap that still exists on the upper, leadership levels of the hospitality industry.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, DEI Advisors will conduct a series of interviews with industry leaders with the intent of sharing inspiration and guidance to help individuals navigate their careers. The interviews will teach how to overcome conscious and unconscious bias, seek advancement, face structural barriers successfully, establish networks, advocates and mentors and better integrate their work life and personal life.


“I formed DEI Advisors as a non-profit organization to collect and share insights and learnings from industry leaders,” said Kong, who is DEI Advisors principal and founder. “While many companies are doing wonderful work in the areas of DEI, individuals must also be responsible, and feel empowered, for their own personal growth and career aspirations. Essentially, we’re aiming to prepare future leaders in the industry for the driver seat of their own journey, where they get to truly help create and advocate for their own destiny.”

The other principals at DEI Advisors are Rachel Humphrey, former executive vice president and COO for AAHOA, and Lan Elliott, co-founder of Acacia Hospitality LLC.

Some of the industry leaders interviewed by the new organization include Peggy Berg, founder of the Castell Project that also mentors women in the hospitality industry; Jagruti Panwala, AAHOA chairwoman from 2019 to 2020 and founder of Wealth Protection Strategies; Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Heather McCrory, CEO for North and Central America at Accor Hotels who, in 2020, was the first winner of the Castell Award from the Castell Project; Mary Beth Cutshall, founder and managing partner at Amara Capital; Melissa Maher, Expedia Group executive Sylvia Douglin, trainer; and Renie Cavallari, Amazon bestselling author of “Head Trash.”

The interviews and insights will be posted weekly on social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as the organization’s website, DEIAdvisors.org. There also are plans to repurpose the content and insights into a podcast and other resource materials in the future.

While the hospitality industry does provide good career opportunities and clear paths for advancement, but most of the diversity remains on lower rungs of the industry hierarchy.

This stifles innovation and is not good for business, according to the DEI Advisors launch announcement. Fixing that has become Kong’s focus after his retirement from nearly 20 years as Best Western CEO.

“I’ve always been a champion for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the industry,” Kong said. “I’m now thrilled to take my passion and turn it into something that I truly hope will impact lives, change career trajectories, and make a difference.”

Other initiatives have recently arisen focused on promoting women and minorities in hospitality, such as Wyndham’s new “Women Own the Room” program that aims to open the door for more women to achieve hotel ownership.

The Castell Project’s most recent Women in Hospitality Industry Leadership report found there is now more female executives in leadership roles. The next challenge, according to the project, is getting more women in hospitality education programs.

More for you

Trump reviewing 55 million us visas
Getty Images

Trump reviewing 55 million visas

Summary:

  • The Trump administration says it is reviewing more than 55 million visa holders.
  • Reviews cover a wide range of visas for law enforcement and overstay violations.
  • The administration also suspended worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is reviewing more than 55 million people who hold valid U.S. visas for potential violations. It is expanding a policy of “continuous vetting” that could result in revocation and deportation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree Funds Rio Las Vegas Renovations | $176M CPACE Loan
Photo credit: Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Peachtree originates retroactive CPACE loan for Rio Vegas

Summary:

  • Peachtree Group originated a $176.5 million retroactive CPACE loan for a Las Vegas property.
  • The deal closed in under 60 days and ranks among the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
  • The company promotes retroactive CPACE funding for commercial real estate development.

PEACHTREE GROUP ORIGINATED a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan for Dreamscape Cos.’s Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The deal, completed in under 60 days, is its largest credit transaction and one of the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.

Keep ReadingShow less
Global hotel construction pipeline reaches record 15,871 projects in Q2 2025, with U.S. and Dallas leading growth
Photo Credit: iStock

Report: Global pipeline hits 15,871 projects

Summary:

  • Global pipeline hit a record 15,871 projects with 2.4 million rooms in Q2.
  • The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects; Dallas tops cities with 199.
  • Nearly 2,900 hotels are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2025.

THE GLOBAL HOTEL pipeline reached 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, and 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent, according to Lodging Econometrics. Most were upper midscale and upscale, LE reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
HAMA Launches 20th Student Case Competition in USA
Photo Credit: iStock

HAMA launches 20th student case competition

Summary:

  • HAMA is accepting submissions for its 20th annual student case competition.
  • The cases reflect a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
  • Teams must submit a financial analysis, solution and executive summary.

THE HOSPITALITY ASSET Managers Association is accepting submissions for the 20th Annual HAMA Student Case Competition, in which more than 60 students analyze a management company change scenario and provide recommendations. HAMA, HotStats and Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting are providing the case, based on a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stonebridge hotel management expansion
Photo credit: Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge adds Statler Dallas to managed portfolio

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. added the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton, to its managed portfolio.
  • The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group.
  • The property is near Main Street Garden Park, the Arts District and the Dallas World Aquarium.

STONEBRIDGE COS. HAS contracted to manage the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas to its managed portfolio. The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group, led by Mehrdad Moayedi.

Keep ReadingShow less