Continuing focus on making Hyatt a place where individuals can bring their whole selves to work leads to selection of respected diversity and inclusion leaders
CHICAGO, 2014-11-21 — /Travel PR News/ — Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that for the 11th consecutive year, Hyatt has earned 100 percent on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). HRC is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
Hyatt’s 100 percent rating includes perfect marks for the company’s protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression; benefits programs for LGBT colleagues including equivalent spousal and partner benefits and transgender-inclusive health insurance coverage; diversity and inclusion training; and public commitment to the LGBT community.
“In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job. We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. Hyatt not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.
“Hyatt believes the extraordinary diversity of our colleagues and guests is a blessing,” said Robb Webb, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “We promote the uniqueness of our colleagues’ individuality because enabling our colleagues to be themselves allows them to provide the most authentic hospitality experience to our guests. We are honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign and I am humbled to serve on its Board of Directors alongside a number of passionate individuals that support the group’s mission and goals. At Hyatt, we look forward to continuing to build and sustain an inclusive environment where our LGBT colleagues are embraced and valued for who they are.”
Hyatt has obtained a 100 percent ranking on HRC’s CEI Index every year since 2004 and marked its 2014 ranking with a video showcasing stories of Hyatt colleagues who feel they can bring their whole selves to work each day. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlaY3tswdpI. The full 2015 CEI report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
Hyatt’s Legacy of Equality in the Workplace
Hyatt was the first major hospitality company to offer domestic partner benefits, including changes to bereavement policies, which created FMLA-like benefits for domestic partners not required under federal law at the time. Hyatt has also included sexual orientation in its Equal Employment Opportunity policy since 2000, and added gender identity in 2002. In 2012, Hyatt made a statement in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Over the years, Hyatt has worked with various LGBT organizations, including the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and Out & Equal, among others.
HyPride, an employee business resource group at Hyatt for members and supporters of the LGBT community, gives all Hyatt colleagues the opportunity to have a voice within the company and fosters a welcoming environment. Hyatt has HyPride chapters throughout the U.S., including 11 new chapters launched in 2014.
Selecting New Leaders in Global Diversity & Inclusion
Hyatt has a long history of being a recognized leader in promoting and nurturing a diverse workforce. This year the company welcomed new talent to lead Hyatt’s Global Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) strategy, which is organized around the pillars of workplace, workforce and marketplace.
Tyronne Stoudemire is the new Vice President of Global Diversity & Inclusion for Hyatt. With more than 20 years of professional experience, Stoudemire brings deep knowledge and commitment to D&I and community relations, and will work with various internal and external constituents to advance the work of Hyatt’s diversity and inclusion strategy and community efforts.
Formerly a principal in Mercer’s Diversity & Inclusion Practice, Stoudemire led the business unit when it was first established as part of Mercer’s talent business segment. He joined Mercer from Aon Hewitt where he served as the Global Head of Diversity (Chief Diversity Officer). In his previous roles, Stoudemire identified and leveraged opportunities and challenges that were presented by the expanding multicultural mosaic of worldviews and attitudes regarding health, wealth and performance given the increasing diversity in the workplace and global marketplace.
A globally recognized executive and highly sought-after speaker, Stoudemire routinely consulted for Fortune 100 clients on diversity and inclusion strategy, with particular insight around how organizational leaders can understand and harness the shifts evident in national and global demographic trends.
Mostafa S. Abdelguelil, Manager, Global Diversity & Inclusion, also joins Hyatt’s D&I team. Prior to his role at Hyatt, Abdelguelil served as Manager, Diversity Relations at Sodexo where he managed approximately 70 external partnerships with more than 100 global programs. Abdelguelil leveraged external resources and programs for employees that focused on talent development globally. His work and dedication further enhanced programs that supported the professional development of employees and linked the growth of the business.
Prior to joining Sodexo, Abdelguelil served in various capacities at the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and at T. Rowe Price. Abdelguelil is a member of the Human Rights Campaign Diversity & Inclusion Council and is a 2012 Ideas Scholar from the Aspen Institute.
The term “Hyatt” is used herein for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Zilara™, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Residences® and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names and have locations on six continents. As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 573 properties in 48 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.
CONTACT:
Katie Feldman
+1 312 780 5361
katie.feldman@hyatt.com