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Marriott International, recognised as having one of the world’s largest and most satisfied workforces, has restated its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) following recent challenges to corporate DEI initiatives at the federal level.
Speaking at the Great Place to Work For All Summit in Las Vegas, Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano shared how the hospitality giant responded to new uncertainty surrounding DEI policies after President Donald Trump’s administration announced sweeping changes earlier this year.
Marriott, which employs more than 800,000 associates globally and ranked eighth on Fortune’s 2025 100 Best Companies to Work For list, boasts a remarkable 90% employee endorsement rate compared to a 57% industry average.
Its strong internal culture has been shaped over decades by leadership figures including former chairman Bill Marriott, current chairman David S. Marriott, and Capuano himself.
Marriott CEO addresses DEI direction under scrutiny
Capuano recounted a pivotal moment earlier this year when his executive leadership team gathered at Marriott’s headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, to discuss the implications of the new executive orders targeting DEI initiatives. The group agreed to take a week to conduct a thorough analysis before regrouping.
During that week, Capuano travelled to the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles, where he faced persistent questions from stakeholders eager to understand Marriott’s stance on DEI going forward. Drawing inspiration from conversations with his mentor, Bill Marriott, Capuano chose to publicly reinforce the company’s long-standing values rather than adopt a cautious approach.
“The winds blow, but there are some fundamental truths for those 98 years," Capuano told the audience. “We welcome all to our hotels and we create opportunities for all—and fundamentally those will never change. The words might change, but that’s who we are as a company.”
Returning to his hotel room that night, Capuano reflected on whether he had made the right call in speaking out during a time of political and corporate uncertainty.
Employee response highlights importance of values
The impact of Capuano’s message became clear almost immediately. Within 24 hours, he received more than 40,000 emails from Marriott associates around the world expressing their gratitude. Many employees thanked him for upholding the company's commitment to inclusivity, describing it as a reflection of their own values.
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Marriott’s stance places it alongside several other major organisations, including Delta Air Lines and Cisco, that continue to champion DEI efforts despite new federal pressures and potential risks around funding and compliance.
As the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding DEI continues to evolve, Marriott’s response highlights the strategic importance of corporate values in sustaining workforce loyalty and reinforcing organisational culture.
From an HR perspective, Marriott’s approach shows that clear communication, authentic leadership and commitment to an agreed upon set of principles can have a profound impact across a global workforce.
