Accor's McCrory wins Katie Taylor Economic Award

Heather McCrory, CEO, Accor, North & Central America, is this year’s winner of the Katie Taylor Economic Award. The award was presented by Women in Tourism & Hospitality at its virtual global Summit on Oct. 5, which connected more than 200 attendees from around the world. Presented by WITHOrg.com (Women in Tourism and Hospitality) in association with Kostuch Media and Sequel Hotels & Resorts, the goal of the summit is to connect individuals and companies committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the tourism and hospitality industry. McCrory was recognized for her work and efforts in helping to improve diversity and inclusion within Accor and driving women’s advancement. In her role as CEO, and even before her appointment, McCrory has promoted programs within the company that spotlight women’s advancement. In 2012, Accor launched WAAG, Women at AccorHotels Generation, to fight against stereotypes and help Accor reach its gender equality objectives.

“As the business world learns to navigate the COVID-19 landscape, it’s more important to ensure that women recover from these setbacks, and that we continue to ensure that women are no longer under-represented in the executive ranks and continue to have opportunities for growth, leadership and advancement," said Rosanna Caira, co-founder, WITHORG. "Through her work at Accor, Heather has continued do that and more to ensure women are at the table in every sense of the word.”

Accor's Diversity Initiatives 

In 2015, Accor was selected by United Nations Women as one of 10 champion corporations of the HeForShe movement: The Impact initiative of 10 governments, 10 companies (including Accor) and 10 universities focuses on equal pay and women's representation in management bodies. As of 2021, Accor North & Central America has exceeded its 2022 corporate management goals of 30 percent women leaders on the hub executive committee, and 40 percent women in senior hub leadership.
 

In 2018, Accor updated its international network promoting diversity, which at the time had more than 14,000 members worldwide, with the launch of RiiSE, a global program committed to gender equality with a new goal: diversity, as a key driver of collective performance. (The double “ii” represents the men and women who are working to improve diversity and equity.) As of 2019, the program had more than 29,000 members worldwide. Earlier this year, Accor was selected to take part in one of six Generation Equality Action Coalitions as part of the Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality from UN Women. Accor serves as co-leader of the Gender-based Violence Coalition.

In addition to these initiatives, Accor has also created a mentorship program that pairs mentors and mentees across 20 countries. In North and Central America, Accor has promoted the group’s mentorship opportunities through its Women on the RiiSE program and forums, and is currently expanding ways to expand the focus and reach all of this platform.

“Heather knows equality is good for business, companies have improved outcomes, earn higher profits and economies grow,” said Anne Larcade, co-founder of WITHORG. “What makes Heather an inspiring CEO is the ease, relatability and authenticity she demonstrates in sharing with other women how to strengthen skills and how to rise more effectively.”
 

In recent years, McCrory and the leadership team spurred a research project with the Ivey Business School that gathered input from 400 women and men in leadership across the region to better understand why women were opting out of management roles. What they found was there were six crucial factors that influence better retention and drive higher career satisfaction and progression among female talent: impact on family and personal life; perceptions around mobility; mentorship; perceptions around pay equity; progression; and walking the talk. That study led to a shift in Accor’s journey and the discovery process solidified that the biggest need for equality and inclusion in hospitality is not only to acknowledge that it is an opportunity but to turn conversation into action and to ensure they are creating real and sustained change.

According to McCrory, diverse teams perform better, a reality, she says, that has been proven in all regions of her company. “It is truly an honor to accept an award with such a tremendous vision and legacy. In this competitive world, bringing the best and brightest women into positions of leadership is crucial to our industry’s continued success," she said. "Our sincere ambition is to foster diversity, build a culture of opportunity and fairness, and focus our attention on helping more smart, capable women move into leadership roles. In doing so, we can close our gender gaps—and make progress on the road to equality—helping ALL of our employees reach their full potential with our organization. Our industry has unstoppable potential, and new opportunities need exceptional leaders; it is on us to help them get there.” 

The Katie Taylor Economic Empowerment Award is presented annually to an individual who has in measurable ways “moved the needle” to increase diversity in their company or business year over year; provided positive financial benefits for team or staff members within their business, company or community; and supported women through innovation and or peer-to-peer mentoring and/or supports.