DEI Advisors Podcast

Apr 26 2024
DEI Advisors Podcast artwork

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.

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John Fareed_ Global Chairman of Horwath HTL_ Interviewed by David Kong

Apr 26 2024 32 mins  
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

Jay Shah, Senior Advisor, Hersha Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan Elliott

Apr 15 2024 35 mins  
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.

Fran Brasseux, CEO, ICHRIE interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

Apr 11 2024 34 mins  
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.

Jacqueline Gifford_ Editor-in-Chief_ Travel & Leisure Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

Apr 04 2024 29 mins  
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 a

Chirag Shah, Executive Vice President, Federal and Political Affairs & Counsel, AHLA Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

Apr 03 2024 32 mins  
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

Brian Leon, CEO of Choice Hotels Canada interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

Apr 03 2024 35 mins  
Brian, a seasoned franchise business leader, has steered Choice Canada's franchise support and business development. Drawing on his family’s legacy in Canadian franchising, Brian's strategic decisions, have positioned him as an adept leader, dedicated to fostering the success of franchisees.

Azim Saju, CEO, ARK Holdings Group, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

Mar 29 2024 30 mins  
Azim discusses his path from employment lawyer to hotelier, the importance for him of his involvement with associations, and why he prefers to build his relationships over dinner. He shares why he'd tell his younger self to have fun, surround yourself with good people, and invest in yourself. Azim also shares why he takes risks and how his risks on his people and his business

Dawn Gallagher, Chief Commercial Officer, Crescent Hotels & Resorts interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

Mar 28 2024 36 mins  
Dawn shares her career journey from front desk associate to Chief Commercial Officer at Crescent Hotels and Resorts. She reveals strategic career decisions, driven by a growth mindset, hard work and dedication to excellence.

David Kong, Closing Keynote of HSMAIL Intercollegiate Global Conference

Mar 27 2024 36 mins  
David uses his career journey to explain the three phases of leadership, progressing from an individual contributor to a team leader and ultimately evolving into a change-making visionary. He passionately discusses the inspiration behind establishing DEI Advisors and articulates his goals for the future. Additionally, David candidly reflects on one of his most significant mistakes,

Lindsey Ueberroth_ President & CEO_ Preferred Hotels & Resorts_ interviewed by David Kong

Mar 25 2024 27 mins  
Lindsey delves into the pivotal moments of her transformative journey at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, highlighting key lessons she's gleaned. She discusses the importance of integrating diverse perspectives, reflects on invaluable advice she's received, and outlines the qualities she prioritizes when interviewing executive candidates. Additionally, Lindsey provides ins