Dorothy Dowling has joined DEI Advisors, a nonprofit organization that helps women and other underrepresented groups in their careers, as principal. The organization was formed last year by David Kong, Dowling’s former president CEO at BWH Hotel Group, as well as former AAHOA EVP and COO Rachel Humphrey and former IHG Hotels & Resorts VP Lan Elliott.
Dowling’s hospitality industry experience spans over 40 years. She spent nearly 18 years as chief marketing officer of Best Western Hotels & Resorts and has also held senior leadership positions with other major hospitality industry companies, including Wyndham, Forte Hotels, Travelodge Canada, Royal Host REIT and Aramark. Dowling also serves as a board member and advisor for several organizations, including Cubesmart, HSMAI and WINiT by GBTA.
Dowling was recently honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference for her innovation and business performance, and GBTA WINiT for her leadership work advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in hospitality.
“We are very excited to welcome Dorothy to our team. Having worked with Dorothy for 18 years, I know firsthand her passion and commitment to helping women advance their careers,” Kong, founder and principal of DEI Advisors, said in a statement. “The guests she will invite through her broad industry relationships will enrich our content and empower others.”
“I am delighted to collaborate with David Kong, Rachel Humphrey and Lan Elliott in this exciting venture,” Dowling said. “I look forward to providing content on this new platform to help others learn through the stories and experiences of current leaders who are shaping and transforming our industry. My hope is to provide inspiration, highlight real-life experience, and provide practical advice to help underrepresented audiences break through barriers on their leadership journey.“
Formed in June 2022, DEI Advisors collects and shares insights from industry leaders to inspire and empower individuals to achieve their career aspirations. In six months, DEI Advisors has shared more than 60 interviews with leaders from brands, management companies, ownership groups, life coaches, university professors and authors through its website DEIAdvisors.org and its LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook pages. Previously, the interviews were only available as videos. The company is also launching podcasts of its interviews through Apple, Spotify, Google and other podcast directories.