Marriott International Asia Pacifictoday commencedits East China Female Leaders Aspiration Program, a one-year mentoring scheme that offers opportunitiesfor women executives in the region to grow and be inspired, with the first East China Women in Leadership Conference in Shanghai.

The pioneering program falls under the banner of Marriott International APAC’s Women in Leadership (WIL) initiative, which has the goal of empowering women in leadership roles across Asia Pacific. The program’s mentors are of the highest caliber and comprise senior executives such as Marriott International’s area leaders, regional leaders and General Managers.

The one-day, invitation-only leadership development conference took place at the Marriott Hotel Shanghai Parkview. Forty-six women, who represented Twenty-seven hotels in the East-China region, attended the conference, which was open to Marriott International female senior executives working in East China. Some of the events later this year will include a travel industry WIL forum, a networking event for junior female leaders and an Evening of Engagement networking event for women in senior leadership roles.

The conference was a great way to launch the East China Female Leaders Aspiration Program. Throughout my career at Marriott International I have benefited from the guidance of many female executives. I want younger generations to have the same opportunity, said Peggy Fang Roe, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific.

Henry Lee, Chief Operations Officer – Greater China said: “Women face many challenges as they endeavor to further their career. We hope that the program will give them the tools to overcome and conquer the issues they may face. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s been proven that corporations work better when there are more women in leadership roles.”

“In China, we are very fortunate to have a reasonably-balanced number of men and women in senior management positions,” said Michael Malik, Market Vice President – East China at Marriott International. “This is part of Marriott International’s vision and we are making a concerted effort to make sure this is achieved throughout the entire region. We would like to see the number of women in area- and region-leadership roles to increase.”

Currently, in East China, women make up 25% of area leaders, regional leaders and general managers; 42% of the Executive Committee; and 41% of managers. In Asia Pacific, women comprise 17% of general managers and 32% of senior executives. On a global level, women represent 52% of Marriott International’s staff, hold almost 60% of its management roles,and nine women lead divisions worth more than US$100 million annually. Women-owned business enterprises make up approximately 10% of Marriott's supply chain.

Encouraging women to take on decision-making roles has been important since the time of Marriott International’s co-founder, Alice Marriott. The company is proud of having the first Women in Leadership program within the hospitality industry. In September 2015, Marriott International was named one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women 2015 by Fortune.com and the Great Place to Work® Institute and in 2016 it was recognized as #9 on 2016 Diversity Inc’s Top 50 Company List, making it the highest ranking hotel company on the list.