There’s a saying I’ve heard many times since joining the staff at Women Leading Travel & Hospitality that’s attributed to the leaders in this community: “It gets lonely at the top.”

That’s especially true for women leaders, many of whom are constantly surrounded by their male counterparts. Women are used to being the “only” or the “first” — the first woman in the C-suite, the only woman of color in the board room, the first trans person on stage.

It’s hard to find allies when you’re at the top, especially those who relate to you, understand what you’re going through, and can be a source for advice.

Chuck Shelton is someone who is teaching other leaders how to be an ally. Shelton is the founder and CEO of Greatheart Consulting, and his work focuses on enabling white male executives to become inclusive leaders. I’ll be having a conversation with him on what it means to be an effective male ally as part of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality’s Virtual Exchange, happening May 12 starting at noon ET.

Author of “Leadership 101 for White Men: How to Work Successfully With Black Colleagues and Customers,” Shelton has developed inclusive leaders through global diversity and inclusion projects, and has spoken, consulted, coached, trained, researched and written on leadership development and global diversity and inclusion internationally, through more than 400 presentations and projects. I’m looking forward to discussing how women can find allies in their male colleagues.

You can join in the discussion as well! Our Virtual Exchanges are free and open to all, and live questions are encouraged! Sign up here to join the conversation.

Conversations like these are happening in part thanks to our amazing advisory board at Women Leading Travel & Hospitality, who have been open to feedback and ideas since this community’s inception. We recently added four new members to our board, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to them! Give a warm welcome to:

  • Nisreene Atassi, Senior Director, Global Head of Communications, Expedia
  • Jamie Cohen, Chief Financial Officer, Vacasa
  • Elise Hickey, Director, Global Organizational Development and DE&I, Avis Budget Group
  • DeShaun Wise Porter, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement, Hilton

Which allies are part of your professional journey? Send me a note (malbiges@napco.com) with your answers.

Cheers,