Atrium Hospitality recently revealed the graduation of the inaugural class of WomenRISE, the company’s female hotel general manager development program. WomenRISE kicked off in February and wrapped up in October of this year. Work is underway to select the next group of future GMs for career development in 2025.

The WomenRISE program supports women in successfully navigating the next steps of their career journeys by providing mentorship, resources and opportunities for growth, according to the company. WomenRISE brings to life an original idea from Atrium’s Diversity & Inclusion Collective, which is comprised of representatives from across the company’s national management portfolio.

“Atrium’s first year to offer our innovative WomenRISE program has been highly successful,” said Anneliesse Cooper, chief human resources officer, Atrium Hospitality. “WomenRISE participants, instructors and mentors overwhelmingly agree that the investment in time and resources is hastening the career paths of women in hospitality. Through virtual group classes, individual interviews and 360-degree assessments for identifying strengths and areas for development, Atrium’s WomenRISE 2024 class participants received focused training and mentoring to confidently move forward in their hotel career journeys.”

Over a nine-month period this year, WomenRISE participants:

• Joined in scheduled opportunities to explore their leadership qualities
• Built their network within Atrium
• Gained learnings on specific topics related to successful hotel operations
• Prepared to take the next steps to pursue a hotel GM role

The WomenRISE inaugural class included nine participants from across Atrium-managed hotels in Arizona, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Program participants were selected during Atrium’s portfolio-wide talent review in 2023 and come from varying departments, including operations, sales & marketing and finance.

Some of the graduates offered their thoughts on their WomenRISE experience.

Leslie Ciccarello, assistant GM, Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens in Florida, said, “I really enjoyed participating in Atrium’s WomenRISE program and have gained much-needed confidence over the past few months. My ‘aha moment’ was when I received my 360-degree feedback assessment. I was overwhelmed with joy and pride while looking over how my peers, direct reports and managers rated me. All rated me higher than I rated myself, which gave me a lot of confidence.”

Sarah Reall, assistant GM, Tucson Marriott University Park in Arizona, said, “My ‘aha moment’ during WomenRISE was that I am not the only one with insecurities and concerns as a woman in a leadership role. The experience affirmed my desire to grow and develop professionally. WomenRISE is a great program, and I appreciate being a part of it.”

Sheila Smith, operations training manager, front office, Atrium Hospitality, said, “While participating in Atrium’s WomenRISE program, I realized I was stopping myself from progressing by not pivoting earlier in my career.”

Megan Wallstrom, assistant GM, food & beverage, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center in Texas, said, “During the profit and loss training session of WomenRISE, I found that I know much more about the hotel P&L than I give myself credit. I realized that my lack of confidence in my abilities was holding me back. Since then, I’ve started leading a P&L review with my team each month and am teaching them how to interpret hotel financials.”

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