Eighteen organizations committed to advancing women in hospitality industry leadership have
joined forces to maximize their efforts through collaboration and partnership. While each of
these independent organizations will continue its work individually to advance women’s
initiatives in the industry, together they formed the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance
which will amplify all their programs, messaging, and initiatives advancing women in leadership.

Spearheaded by hotel industry veteran Rachel Humphrey, the concept behind the Alliance is
that by working together the groups will achieve more to advance women into executive
leadership roles, which according to research by the Castell, An AHLA Foundation Project is still
one woman for every ten men, despite women making up more than 57% of industry workers.

Rachel Humphrey

“There are so many organizations and leaders committed to this important initiative. By
collaborating, we’re able to advance all these efforts which will move the needle farther and
faster for our industry,” Rachel Humphrey, founder of the Alliance said. “At a time when human
resources and financial resources are at a premium, it is great to see these groups getting
together and sharing with one another in an effort to maximize the impact of each and
collectively of all.”

Participating organizations include:

● African Association of Women in Tourism and Hospitality – Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu,
Daphne Spencer
● ForWard: Women Advancing Hospitality® (American Hotel & Lodging Association/AHLA) – Katie Moore
● Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) – Heather Carnes
● Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) / Travel Industry Executive Women’s
Network (TIEWN) – Fran Kiradjian, Ariela Kiradjian

● Castell, An AHLA Foundation Project – Peggy Berg, Fern Kanter, Lan Elliott, Deb Cox
● DEI Advisors – David Kong, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott
● FAB Workshop – Randi Weinstein
● Forum on Leadership for Women by Red Roof – Marina MacDonald
● WINiT by GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) – Dorothy Dowling
● Hertelier – Emily Goldfischer
● Howard University School of Business Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality
Leadership – Ashli Johnson
● International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) / Questex Diversity Council –
Andrea Belfanti
● Inspiring Women in Hospitality – Naureen Ahmed
● Latino Hotel Association (LHA) – Lynette Montoya
● Raizup – Rita Varga
● She Has a Deal. (SHaD) including Fortuna’s Table – Tracy Prigmore, Viviana Wilkins
● Women Leading Travel & Hospitality – Hannah DeMaio
● Women in Travel Thrive – Silvia Camarota, Rachel Humphrey
● Women Own the Room by Wyndham – Lisa Checchio

In addition to these organizations, several individuals are also contributing their expertise and
guidance, including Andrea Foster of Marcus Hotels & Resorts and Talene Staab of Hilton
Hotels & Resorts.

“These remarkable women and men are having an incredible impact with strong initiatives that
are rapidly advancing women in leadership and by working together we are sure the impact will
be even greater,” Peggy Berg, Founder of Castell, an AHLA Foundation Project and founding
member of the Alliance said.

The Alliance began conversations in November 2021, met in person at ALIS in January 2022,
and has connected regularly since then. The effort took hold and grew into the platform and
Alliance announced today. The organizations share their goals, upcoming efforts, educational
resources, event information, and one another’s messaging to amplify the overall and collective
mission of advancing women in hospitality.

“I look forward to seeing the tremendous impact these organizations, already successful in so
many ways, will continue to have on advancing women in leadership in our industry as the result
of their collaboration,” said Rachel Humphrey.

The Women in Hospitality Industry Leadership Alliance is a consortium of organizations
advancing women in hospitality. For more information, visit whlalliance.org or contact
whlalliance@gmail.com.