It was almost five years ago that Highgate named Marianne Balfe Vice President of Sustainability. Balfe, one of the speakers at next week’s crossover AHLA Food & Beverage Summit and AHLA Responsible Stay Summit, is also Co-Chair of the AHLA Sustainability Committee. Prior to working for Highgate, she was Director of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, the Americas, for Marriott International.
I visited the Highgate website and found the following reports on their Charitable Foundation and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) efforts.
Highgate Charitable Foundation
“Highgate continually strives to make an impact on hospitality as well as the greater global community,” the company says. “Philanthropy is at the core of our company culture, and we endeavor to instill a sense of giving back into everything we do. Highgate established the Highgate Charitable Foundation (HCF), a 501(c)(3) charitable fund, to be a positive force in the lives of people near and far. This philanthropic vehicle is an integral part of Highgate’s business and incorporates associates, guests, vendors, and business partners.”
The Highgate Charitable Foundation has received $500,000 from the Highgate organization in direct support of the Highgate Associate Relief Fund. Generous funds have also been contributed by senior leaders and hotel ownership groups. The Highgate Associate Relief Fund is also funded through voluntary donations from our associates, vendors, business partners, partner organizations, and loyal guests.
Grants from the fund can be used to support immediate and critical needs including rent payments, utilities, groceries, and childcare.
“The Highgate Associate Relief Fund has allowed us to quickly care for colleagues affected by natural disasters in the past and will continue to serve our community in the face of other hardships,” the company says.
Environmental Social Governance (ESG)
“Highgate is an ESG leader within the hospitality industry with strong convictions around being a force for good in this world,” the company says. “Our drive to achieve and maintain strong ESG performance delivers efficiencies, cost savings and other operational improvements for our hotels while meeting guest expectations.”
Reducing its environmental footprint is at the forefront of its mission, leading to the development of comprehensive programs surrounding building operations optimization, sustainable supply chain management, reforestation, renewable energy utilization, single-use plastics elimination and green design and construction.
Highgate works to ensure that people are treated with respect throughout its entire value chain. From training associates around human trafficking awareness to eliminating modern slavery throughout its global supply chains, Highgate is determined to uphold human rights and dignity for all. Diversity and inclusion are at the core of Highgate’s corporate culture.
“We strive for associates to feel a strong sense of belonging in our organization,” the company says.
Some of the Latest Highgate Statistics
- 122 Hotels with Eco-Certifications
- 15k+ MWH Annual Expected Energy Savings from Conservation Projects
- 24,500+ Trees Planted Through Reforestation Efforts
- 61 Acres of Habitat Restored
- 165+ Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
- 161,079 Bars of Soap Donated through Clean the World
- 21,000+ Meals Donated Through Food Donation Program
- 18,000+ Associate Volunteer Service Hours at Community and Nonprofit Organizations
- Operator of First Hotel in Hawaii to Commit to PAS 2060 Carbon Neutral Certification
- Over 200 Hotels Powered by 100 Percent Renewable Electricity
For those of you not familiar with Highgate, it specializes in management, development, investment management, and technology ventures.
