PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide was named to the 14th annual DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. Ranked 39, this is the second consecutive year the company has been in the Top 50. The DiversityInc Top 50 list includes companies from a wide range of industries whose leadership, procurement practices, communications and associate engagement best reflect the reality of the rapidly changing face of today’s workforce.
“Receiving this recognition is a tremendous honor and reflection of our commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion, while also serving as a global competitive advantage that strengthens the company’s operating performance and the value created for shareholders,” said Stephen P. Holmes, chairman and chief executive officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “In order to be successful, we respect, understand and integrate various cultures, motivate and lead multiple generations, provide ethical leadership, and demonstrate integrity and respect in everything we do.”
Wyndham Worldwide remains committed to grow its businesses globally, while focusing on its performance and people in each of the communities where it operates. Believing diversity enriches the company as a global hospitality provider, Wyndham Worldwide is committed to providing opportunity, education, resources, leadership and a voice to every individual, so that the company can collectively deliver rewarding, memorable and successful experiences to its guests, customers, partners and associates.
The company’s Diversity & Inclusion Strategy includes:
• Programs designed to increase and leverage diversity in the hospitality industry through ownership and the customer’s experience.
• A Diversity and Inclusion Curriculum with course offerings for the entire workforce; including leadership training programs such as the Wyndham Worldwide Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Workshop, mentoring opportunities and educational support.
• A host of Associate Business Groups designed for employees to engage in the business expansion process, networking, personal and professional development and affiliation with colleagues across the company that share common interests and experiences.
• A global supplier diversity program to increase the company’s network of minority vendors and other diverse-owned suppliers.
DiversityInc also announced a number of Specialty Lists, with Wyndham Worldwide being named to the Top 10 Companies for Diversity Councils, Global Diversity and People with Disabilities. Additionally, the company’s supplier diversity program was ranked second on the Top 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity specialty list. With a focus on both U.S. domestic and global growth, the company’s program surpassed its 2013 goals in strengthening the diversity of its global supply chain, and increased its 2013 spend with sustainable suppliers to 15.7 percent.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
“We know that it takes great people to make great things happen; therefore we strive to cultivate a global workforce where individuals from a wide array of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds are valued,” said Patricia Lee, senior vice president, human resources and chief diversity officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “As a global hospitality leader with locations in nearly 100 countries across six continents, thinking globally but acting locally is part of how we operate in markets around the world.”
Because of its commitment, in addition to the recognition by DiversityInc, Wyndham Worldwide has been named a Top 50 Company for Latinas by LATINA Style, recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as one of the “Best Places to Work for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality” and by the National Association for Female Executives as one of the Top 50 Companies for Executive Women. Additionally, the company maintains strong partnerships with organizations such as the National Diversity Council, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, National Society of Hispanic MBAs and National Association of Black, Hispanic, Asian and Women MBAs.
“In its second year in a row on the list, Wyndham Worldwide moves up seven spots,” said Luke Visconti, chief executive officer, DiversityInc. “Chairman and CEO Stephen P. Holmes is a public proponent of using diversity and inclusion as a critical way of furthering the company’s business globally and in the United States. The company has increased its U.S. workforce and management diversity and continues to be a leader in supplier diversity.”
Most recently, the company was recognized by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) and its Corporate Inclusion Index for the second consecutive year, and HACR presented Erika Gonzalez, diversity and inclusion manager, Wyndham Worldwide, with a Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers Award. Gonzalez was the third Wyndham Worldwide associate to receive this recognition.
The DiversityInc rankings are determined by an objective methodology that calculates factors such as Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development (including commitments to mentorship and philanthropy), CEO/Leadership Commitment, and Supplier Diversity. The empirical data for the rankings is provided by a 300-question survey filled out by personnel at the participating companies. Survey participation is free to any company with at least 1,000 U.S. workers.
For the entire Top 50 list, click here.
