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
Vice President of Operational Excellence - Davidson Hospitality Group
Kenny Imafidon
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Learning & Development
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?
I have the pleasure of leading the D&I Community Outreach & Engagement Subcommittee
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.
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.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
I am a proud member of the Diversity Recruiting Sub-Committee
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.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
I am part of the DE&I Steering Team.
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
Davidson is such a welcoming company to such a diverse group of people, and I want to be able to share that with others while continuing to attract diverse talent accros the country. I also want to work internally with our current Davidson teams to be more open when recruiting externally and when promoting talent from within.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
As a corporate member of the Talent Recruiting team, I was informally helping the council and subcommittee with different recruiting needs. It didn’t take long for me to officially decide to join the council. I have always been passionate about hiring the strongest person for the job and training them to be the best they can be. And the best talent is in their potential regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, or socio-economic status. I want to find talent where they are and show them what a great company Davidson is. And I want to train our teams to find the strongest talent, where ever they are and see the potential in a person, be willing to grow that person, and continue to grow our teams from within.
Davidson is already ahead of other companies in terms of diversity and inclusion, but we are continuing to do more to make Davidson best in class. I am so excited to be a part of that effort!
What Subcommittee do you participate in?
Training & 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?
Community Outreach & Engagement
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR DE&I COUNCIL?
I want to help foster an environment where all of our team members feel they belong and can bring their full authentic selves to work every day. I’ve seen firsthand what an inclusive culture looks like and how impactful it can be when everyone feels free to share their voice and I want to ensure all of our team members get to work in a culture like that.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
When community and culture are strong, team members thrive and what the business can accomplish is limitless. I joined the council to help enhance the strong community and engagement initiatives happening around our portfolio. Celebrating the culture of belonging and love is exciting to me and I’m excited to step in however I can.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Attraction & Recruiting Committee
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.
KALYNN DODD
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Community & Engagement – Cultural Calendar Activities & Events
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?
Attraction & 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.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
I participate in the recruiting subcommittee.
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
I would like to create an inclusive environment for team members from all walks of life. To make the workplace a place where they can feel safe, seen and heard.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the council to bring awareness to the many opportunities the hospitality industry has for people of color.
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?
Training & 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?
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.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
“THE” Learning and Development subcommittee
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.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Training & Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
My passion behind DE&I is the drive to grow our leaders of tomorrow from the wonderful associates we have in our hotels! I choose the Training and Development committee to drive the principle that all associates have an opportunity to grow within Davidson in a supportive and inclusive environment. Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to learn, and my personal goal is to ensure that each individual is given that opportunity!
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the Council because in my opinion DE&I is crucial not only to our organization but to that of the world! I am proud to be apart a company that thrives off of DE&I and puts it clearly on the radar. It all goes back to our core value of having each other’s back; I know that Davidson has mine and I am here to promote that because together we are stronger!
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.
ISAAC ORTEGA
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
DEI Training & Development
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR D/I COUNCIL?
Personally, and collectively, I want to be part of our efforts to enable growth opportunities to our team members by providing the chance of becoming lifelong learners. Learning that our differences are what makes us special and that we all can grow and learn from each other’s diversity.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL?
I joined the Council because I understand how important DE&I is not only to our organization but to every human. When people of different cultural backgrounds and levels of expertise collaborate, it can help boost innovation and creativity within an organization. As part of an organization that values diversity in all we do, having the chance to be able to contribute as part of the council is a tremendous opportunity and privilege.
WHAT SUBCOMMITTEE DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
I’m on the Attraction & Recruiting subcommittee.
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.