For Women's History Month, the Next Gen in Lodging podcast invited two women who are leaders in the hospitality industry to join the show to chat about their experiences.
Amanda Chivers, managing principal at Crown Hospitality Consulting, and Amy Draheim, president and founder of ABD Creative, joined Davonne Reaves on the latest Next Gen in Lodging podcast to discuss work-life balance as the leader of a company and what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated field.
Chivers said she's glad that it's no longer taboo to talk about mental health and take a break if needed. As the leader of a company, it's important to take care of one's self for the best interest of the staff and the work.
"We have tremendous responsibility, and the No. 1 responsibility is taking care of yourself. Because if something happens to you, your children, your clients, your business — all of that is going to go by the wayside, so your No. 1 responsibility is to yourself," she said.
As a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, Chivers said she used to feel different compared to her peers when she started her career 20 years ago. Today, she uses it as a strength.
"I have embraced just being different in my authenticity and what I bring to the table," she said. "That difference actually has now become ... like your superpower."
Draheim said there's a kinship felt when she works with another woman in the industry because it is a white, male-dominated field.
For more from the Chivers, Draheim and Reaves, listen to the full podcast at the link above.
The Next Gen in Lodging podcast is also available to download on Apple or Spotify, where you can also subscribe to future podcast content.
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(Amended on March 20 to remove a quote for clarity purposes.)