A seasoned professional with an extensive hospitality background spanning more than 30 years, McCrory joined Accor’s executive committee upon her appointment to CEO, North & Central America, in April 2019. In this position, she is responsible for the strategic direction of the global hospitality group in the region, with oversight of more than 115 hotels, 11 brands in 10 countries, 28,000 employees and more than $3 billion in revenue. She also serves as the executive sponsor for North & Central America for RiiSE, Accor’s international network to promote diversity that launched in October 2018.
“The work that the Castell Project is doing to assist women in securing one in every three leadership seats in the hospitality industry is encouraging, but we all still have a long way to go,” McCrory said. “Gender inclusivity is a personal and passionate goal of mine, both for Accor and the hospitality industry at large. While women make up more than 50 percent of the hospitality workforce, we need to have more females in the board room. With organizations like the Castell Project in place, I am confident we will one day meet our diversity goals. As numerous studies have proven, this benefits the industry and drives our collective performance.”
McCrory leads numerous initiatives as part of the RiiSE program, including a research project to understand why women are opting out of leadership roles and a formal mentorship program for women within the organization who have the potential and desire to be a GM within the next three to five years.
“The Castell Project received a wonderful roster of nominations describing deserving leaders and the impact they are having on coworkers – female and male – and how they are shifting the culture within their organizations,” said Peggy Berg, Castell Project president. “Heather stood out as a powerful female making a difference in the industry. She understands wholeheartedly that as part of an international hospitality company, a more diverse team is a better performing team. Heather is an inspiration to other women as they find their own paths to success.”
Award nominations were judged on the following characteristics:
Change-maker: Leads strategic improvement programs for their organization
Trailblazer: Opens new paths in the industry
Gender Equity Champion: Creates opportunities for women
Principled Professional: Demonstrates ethical business conduct within their organization and the industry
Trailblazer: Opens new paths in the industry
Gender Equity Champion: Creates opportunities for women
Principled Professional: Demonstrates ethical business conduct within their organization and the industry
For additional information, please visit www.CastellProject.org.
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ABOUT ACCOR
Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 4,900 hotels and residences across 110 countries. The Group has been acquiring hospitality expertise for more than 50 years, resulting in an unrivaled portfolio of brands, from luxury to economy, supported by one of the most attractive loyalty programs in the world. Beyond accommodation, Accor enables new ways to live, work, and play, by blending food and beverage with nightlife, wellbeing, and co-working. It also offers digital solutions that maximize distribution, optimize hotel operations and enhance the customer experience. Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community via its Planet 21 – Acting Here program and the Accor Solidarity endowment fund, which gives disadvantaged groups access to employment through professional training. Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information visit accor.com. Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
ABOUT THE CASTELL PROJECT
Castell Project, Inc. is a 501©3 nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of women to the highest levels within the hospitality industry. With support from industry partners, Castell Project delivers impactful leadership development for talented, high potential women, including a workshop with professional trainers specialized in developing women executives, ongoing training and networking opportunities and performance metrics tracked by Georgia State University, an academic partner to Castell Project. Castell Project also delivers innovative research on diversity in the hospitality industry.