Can you share your journey and experience as a woman in the hospitality industry? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
My journey as a woman in the hospitality industry started out as a roller coaster. The reason I used the word roller coaster is due to the ups and downs, emotions, and obstacles I faced as a supervisor.
In 2015, I decided to step away from the industry. Although it was bittersweet, at the time I thought I was making the right decision for myself and family. Fast forward to 2017: I received a phone call from Parkhurst informing me of all the great opportunities that were available on campus. Let’s just say timing was perfect, and to this day, I have been where I belonged. My experience has been amazing.
International Women’s Month is a time to celebrate achievements. Can you highlight a particular success or accomplishment during your time with Parkhurst that you are especially proud of? How did you navigate the path to success?
Although there are plenty of highlights in my career in the hospitality industry, my first is being able to be promoted from a supervisor to an assistant director of operations within two years of my career back on campus. With the great leaders and support system I had in place, I was able to be promoted rapidly from an assistant director to a director of operations.
My accomplishments are being able to grow and develop my team. I love telling my story of how I have such great leaders to help develop, grow, and support myself. So, being able to grow and develop staff to their next level in their career is my proudest accomplishment. The way that I navigate the path is simply getting to know my staff and seeing what their short-term and long-term goals are. From there, I am able to do my best along with my team to set them up for success and give them the proper recourses and tools they’ll need to get to the next level of their career.
In the context of gender diversity and inclusion, what steps do you believe businesses can take to create more supportive environments for women in leadership roles?
The steps that I think businesses can take to create more supportive environments for women in leadership roles are to foster a culture of inclusion and respect. Parkhurst, in my opinion, has moved toward this action with all of the SmileU quarterly training and hourly team member welcome back trainings, which are very informative and great. It is important for all businesses to foster a culture where all employees, regardless of gender, feel respected and included.
As a woman in a leadership position, have you observed changes or shifts in the perception of women in business over the course of your career? How do you think the narrative around women in leadership roles has evolved?
As a woman in a leadership role, I have observed several changes in the perception of women in business over the course of my career.
For an example, my general manager is a woman in a powerful leadership position. I think the narrative around women has evolved a lot by actually being recognized. We are also included in decision-making and more awareness of women evolving in leadership roles. I love to see women empower each other, and men authentically support women as we overcome obstacles and barriers.
