Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity is Our Competitive Advantage
At Davidson, diversity isn’t a box-ticking exercise, but a fundamental part of our organizational DNA.
We believe in the power of collective experience, and the creativity that comes from a diversified perspective. With that in mind, our Diversity & Inclusion Council works passionately to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for team members from all walks of life — because we’re stronger together.
DEI at Davidson
Meet Our Diversity & Inclusion Council
Benjamin Sebring
Brian Maruszczak
Elaina Marruquin
Felicia Forbes
Jennifer Pineault
Nicole McCabe
Sarah Will
Abigail Greenberg
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning and Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
I am committed to upholding the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within our organization. Educating our team on prioritizing DE&I as we build our teams will enhance our potential for future success. By fostering a dedicated team to champion this message, we can further amplify our impact.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE COUNCIL?
One of Davidson’s Core Values is, “Be inclusive. Together we are stronger,” and I witness this principle in action every day. To enhance its impact, it is crucial to continue educating our leaders and team members on the significance of valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion. This ongoing commitment will reinforce this core value. I am excited to contribute to the learning and development of our teams through my participation in the DE&I Council.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction and Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
I would like to be part of a team that enhances our company’s recruiting programs and efforts to have a more diverse team—especially in the senior leadership ranks.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I have been part of similar councils in the past and enjoy the collaboration, camaraderie and benefits of contributing to programs that enrich the workplace.
Benjamin Sebring
WHAT CUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community & Engagement Team
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
Personally – I would like to share my personal experiences and perhaps offer a different perspective or another way of thinking about how best we can support our team members. Collectively – We talk about this a lot at my property, but we want to be the employer of choice. There are soooo many options in our market, so it is crucial that our team members feel comfortable, valued, seen, empowered, and celebrated for who they are and what they bring to the table.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
Why did you join the council? I wanted to join the council because I am passionate and enthusiastic about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and I believe it is a driving principle in our world. When we take care of our team members, they will take care of our guests. So, let’s take care of our team!
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community Outreach & Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
Personally, I like to remind myself of a Mother Teresa quote- “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” As a group, establishing diverse, equal and inclusive practices are not only important for our teams, but creating an inclusive workplace can improve employee retention, talent recruitment and innovation.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
To bring awareness to local volunteer opportunities! Community outreach programs are crucial to provide support to non-profit organizations, raise social awareness on sensitive matters and become a means of providing new, innovative solutions. Volunteers who simply donate their time and energy, are the lifeblood to any of these organizations.
Brian Maruszczak
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction and Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
I want to be part of a team that brings everyone’s voice and perspective together to build an inclusive company that feels as diverse as the clientele that we serve. If I can help foster a positive, inclusive work environment for our team members, we can retain the best employees in the industry.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I enjoy contributing to my organization in a way that I believe enriches employee experience and recognizes the diversity of our team members.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction and Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
In participating on the Recruitment committee, I am committed to assisting Davidson Hotels in its’ efforts to gain exposure to diverse talent across the country, resulting in hiring exceptional candidates for available positions.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
As a Caribbean born, Black woman with a passion for this industry, I failed to see faces like mine in hiring roles or leadership positions despite being in hospitality for over 25 years. Now that I have assumed a leadership role, it is imperative that I let others interested in the business know that there is room for them here as well. Diversity means having the same opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, sexual preference, gender or socio-economic status. Our guests deserve to see their own faces reflected back at them when they enjoy our hotels. I am committed to making that happen.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community Outreach and Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
As a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Council I believe the main purpose is to ensure that Davidson works to build bridges and increase diversity not just within our leadership on down but also within our community. This includes developing programs to help communities in need, changing our recruitment practices, and developing programs that will showcase hospitality and all careers associated with it.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
The events that occurred in 2020 created mixed emotions and challenges for many. From police brutality, to divisiveness, to a pandemic, our country was falling apart. At the height of protest happening around the country, John Belden began to ask various questions of what Davidson could be doing better to improve diversity as well as, what could we do to better impact our community. This conversation impacted me even more and created a renewed enthusiasm for being a part of the Davidson family. John did not stop there. From the conversations had with myself and many others, a Diversity and Inclusion Council was created.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community Outreach & Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
I want to be a part of building a strong diverse and inclusive culture at Davidson. I want to accomplish bringing the ideas of the DE&I Committee to life and cultivating awareness of the positive impacts of DE&I throughout Davidson.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the DE&I Council after experiencing the effects of a great diverse and inclusive team firsthand. I saw the positive changes in our team members when activities and events held at the property were inclusive and celebrated multiple cultures. The Community outreach and engagement subcommittee was my first choice when joining the council because it allows involvement with the teams at all levels within davidson. One of the things that stood out to me the most when reading the purpose of my sub-committee was “facilitating meaningful engagement to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.”
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning & Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
Personally, I want to accomplish completion both personally and collectively with our council. Oftentimes, we as individuals and companies have wonderful ideas and initiatives that we just can’t seem to get across the finish line. My hope is that all the ideas that I and my council members have are realized.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the council because I want to make a difference. Being born and raised in Selma, Alabama, the birthplace of the civil rights movement, I witnessed discrimination, conscious and unconscious bias from an early age. When my parents recognized these things in their &/or my life, they insured that I understood this mistreatment, how to address it and to never be apologetic for not accepting it. I was always taught that it was ok to be an agent of change no matter the degree of change needed. It is my hope that, as a council, we be allowed to be those agents of change for Davidson Hospitality.
Elaina Marruquin
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning and Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
To nurture and enhance an environment that provides opportunities for everyone and actively seeks to demarginalize isolated populations in our work community.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE COUNCIL?
Equity is a very personal and important matter for me. I have experienced marginalization and alienation and don’t want others to feel the way I felt then.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction & Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
I want to help build the best possible team at Davidson, and diversity is a crucial part of a strong team. Cultivating a good work environment helps bring in strong talent, strong talent creates a good work environment, and both of those yield better results for our colleagues and our company. I want Davidson to be a welcoming and environment to all that would like to join the family where we can all make best use of our unique talents and unique backgrounds.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
The work we do on the business development team relies on the execution from the operations teams at the hotels. We use the success stories of our hotels to try and grow the company, but don’t often interface with those teams directly. This is a valuable cross-company initiative that provides me with a chance to connect with a broader set of colleagues than my normal job duties enables, and contribute positively to building out our team at different levels.
Felicia Forbes
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction and Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
I would like to personally benefit from learning and engaging with some of the great minds at Davidson. Collectively, I would like to affect more visual diversity in our more senior/top/executive positions. Seeing is believing.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE COUNCIL?
To explore “neuro” diversity. How can we attract people that not only look different, but truly think different? Different in a way that makes us a more inclusive company where all folks, cultures, feel welcome. We also are very diverse as Americans.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning and Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
I personally would like us to be able to resolve the inequitable disparity, between male and female, in compensation and promotability as well as eliminate the gap in women and minorities’ presence in senior executive roles. Collectively, I want us to create a companywide strategy that promotes diversity in all aspects of the business and fosters a culture of inclusivity.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the council because I know that our company values diversity and that our Executive Leadership is a willing partner in making it happen every day. A company that shows Heart and has Love as one of its Core Values is more likely to uphold the promise of fairness, inclusivity and diversity. I chose the L&D subcommittee because it focuses on the enrichment and growth of Team Members (current and future) and adds value to their lives.
Jennifer Pineault
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning and Development Committee
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
I would like to personally build more knowledge with a group of peers that want to learn and grow with our community and company, to personally accomplish the development of skills for all different aspects of hospitality. Hearing the different Ideas of others. My greatest accomplishment would be connecting with other team members.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE COUNCIL?
Why did you join the council? I joined the council to help develop my professional skills to help me become better at being a Front Office Manager- and develop or help develop my skill sets. I love meeting new people and talking about my career as I am proud of how far I have come in hospitality!
Vice President of Operational Excellence - Davidson Hospitality Group
Kenny Imafidon
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Steering Committee
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
Fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment where we value and develop employees of all backgrounds and experiences. Promote the development and advancement of underrepresented groups at Davidson through professional development courses, mentoring and training.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined this council because just like Davidson has been best in class in so many facets of the Hospitality Industry. I know Davidson will be best in class when it comes to Diversity & Inclusion and I want to help steer our organization with that effort.
What Subcommittee do you participate in?
Learning and Development
What do you personally and collectively want to accomplish with our DE&I Council?
Personally, and collectively, I hope we establish a supportive and welcoming workplace environment in which employees of all backgrounds and demographics can work together and grow their careers. I would like to see this group of individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives contribute creative ideas that are innovative and even offer disruptive new ways of thinking and problem solving. My hope is that these conversations lead to initiatives, actions, and inclusive practices that become part of our day-to-day operations. I want to be a part of progressing the DE&I council’s mission and use my skill set to drive these initiatives and see them prioritized in our company.
Why did you join the council?
I joined the council to share my insights and my perceptions of what it personally means to work at our company, as a voice for women and mothers, and to partner and advocate for those that are underrepresented. I have worked with many of the team members on the council in various capacities, and honestly, joined for the opportunity to partner with these talented individuals again towards a collective purpose.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction and Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
I’ve always believed Davidson to be a very inclusive and diverse place to work. That said, it was never really formalized until the council was established. By joining the council, I hope to expand the DE&I councils initiatives more formally across the entirety of the company, while at the same time gaining exposure amongst all external stakeholders (recruiters, universities, candidates, clients, consultants, etc.).
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the council because A&BD was not previously represented on the council. As a group that is consistently interacting with external stakeholders as well as regularly recruiting at universities, I felt strongly about our team’s involvement on the council. In addition, with my recent move to London to launch our European platform, I believed it to be important that our company values and culture is carried through across the pond.
Nicole McCabe
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community and Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
While I LOVE raising money for GKTW and think it is amazing. I would love to see us create more ideas to assist our hotels in getting more active in their local communities. Most communities will have numerous hotel management companies at different properties throughout their respective cities. I would love to see Davidson recognized as a community leader among them. Knowing the Davidson/Pivot name and not just the flag name.
Ron Stevenson joined Davidson in 2012 as Director of eCommerce, where he was responsible for the digital marketing strategy for Davidson Hotels. Prior to joining Davidson, Ron served in several hotel operations and hospitality marketing positions across North and South America with companies including Westin Hotels, TravelPort, and IHG. Over time, as Davidson has evolved into Davidson Hospitality Group, he has assumed the position of Senior Director of Integrated Marketing for the hotels vertical, primarily supporting Davidson’s heritage-brand hotels.
Sarah Will
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning & Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNSIL?
Davidson already does an amazing job of ensuring team members feel comfortable and every voice is heard. I want to be able to contribute and help develop additional ideas and practices, then take those ideas and spread the word at the property level.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the Council to help pave the way and make a difference within Davidson. I love to teach and educate people, especially when it’s a topic I am passionate about. Being a part of this council will allow me to collaborate with colleagues and help others understand that different cultures, experiences, and viewpoints can enrich and foster personal growth.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community Outreach & Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
I would like to accomplish a feeling of making others belong. When they see me or my name to know that I work on bringing people together from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the Council, specifically community outreach and engagement because I love helping people! Growing up I was a brownie, then became a girl scout so my focus has always been about helping others. It makes my heart smile to be able to put a smile on someone’s face.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community Outreach and Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
I would like to personally and collectively cultivate and inclusive workplace culture through heighted awareness and comprehensive education, while actively championing diversity to ensure representation and equal opportunities for all.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the D/I council so that my voice and thoughts could be a part of the solutions and awareness.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning and Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
I look forward to building relationships and learning from the talented folks within the DE&I Council; by doing so, I hope to gain more incite on how to further diversify the learning and development experience at Davidson across all verticals.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
Joining the DE&I Council is an amazing opportunity to continue my personal mission as I ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of my everyday work. Creating a space where individuals can see themselves and others they love within a learning experience is my top priority.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction and Recruiting
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
To aggressively recruit new talent to Davidson and ensure we are hiring the best candidates in the industry, while at the same time meeting our diversity and inclusion goals. Through the strength of the D/I council, I know this can be accomplished.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
After a few conversations on the Attraction & Recruiting efforts of Davidson with Ron Stevenson, I decided this is another area that I could make a difference on within the company. I want to ensure we are hiring top talent to keep Davidson as one of the best places to work in the industry.