Officials of Castell Project, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the careers of women professionals in the hospitality industry, today launched its “Ladder Up” capital campaign. With a goal to raise $1 million dollars, the organization also announced that Hilton has signed on as the lead sponsor with a $100,000 donation to launch the campaign.

“While myriad international studies show that companies with gender diverse leadership drive higher profits, female representation at the higher levels of the hospitality industry is lacking,” said Peggy Berg, president, Castell Project, Inc. “The Castell Project is taking active steps towards seeing women hold a minimum of one in three leadership positions, including ownership, at all levels of the hospitality industry. These funds will be used to help women climb the corporate ladder as we reach for this goal.”

Monies raised will be used to:

• Fund participation for women in Castell leadership development programs at all levels
• Drive awareness of the critical need for gender diversity and engagement in the hospitality industry
• Deliver useful benchmark research, including Castell Project’s annual report

“We are proud to be recognized by Great Places to Work® as the #1 Best Place to Work in the U.S. and Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women in 2018,” said Dianna Vaughan, senior vice president and global head, All Suites brands, Hilton. “We are committed to supporting, promoting and increasing diversity in the hospitality industry and excited to continue the work we’re doing through our partnership with the Castell Project.”

“Ladder Up” is seeking benefactors at levels between $5,000 and $100,000. Castell will recognize sponsors through various mediums, including website and campaign materials promotion. Please visit www.castellproject.org to make a pledge.

ABOUT THE CASTELL PROJECT

Castell Project, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of women to the highest levels within the hospitality industry. With support from industry partners, Castell delivers impactful leadership development for talented, high potential women, including a workshop with professional trainers specialized in developing women executives, ongoing training and networking opportunities and performance metrics tracked by Georgia State University, an academic partner to Castell Project. Castell Project also delivers innovative research on diversity in the hospitality industry.

ABOUT HILTON

Hilton (NYSE:HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising more than 5,600 properties with nearly 913,000 rooms, in 113 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 world’s best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its nearly 100 year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 85 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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