Courtesy of Nick B.
Name: Nick B.
Position: Senior Director, Operations Support Resources (OSR)
Location: Marriott HQ in Bethesda, Maryland
Dream destination: New Zealand
Drink or treat of choice: My evening drink of choice is red wine, but I do enjoy a Starbucks cold brew with oat milk.
Nick has been with Marriott for 22 years — and counting! For almost half of his time at Marriott, Nick has also been a proud member of the LGBTQ+|ONE Associate Resource Group (ARG).
“I first joined the group more than 10 years ago, back when there were maybe less than 30 people,” Nick recalls. “I have participated in Pride events in DC, Human Rights Campaign engagements on behalf of the company, community service activities, and dedicated countless time to be available for other LGBTQ+ associates who want to talk about being their authentic selves at work while navigating the unique challenges in the workplace.”
Nick spent most of his adult life at Marriott. He joined the company right after graduating from Penn State University as a Sales Account Manager at a North Carolina Residence Inn. Now, as the Senior Director of Operations Support Resources for the US and Canada, Nick’s role is to lead and manage the company’s task force organization — a whopping 235-person team — to support the hotels when open positions and turnover occur.
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“My career has evolved because of taking risks and centering myself around strong mentors and leaders,” says Nick. “I think people are shocked to hear that I have not worked for any other company since graduating college; that is a rarity these days to have such long tenure in one organization.”
Courtesy of Nick B.
Learn more about Nick’s passionate involvement in LGBTQ+|ONE, and what he takes from his 22 years in the company.
In what ways has the LGBTQ+|ONE group contributed to your personal and professional growth?
I believe LGBTQ|ONE has contributed to my confidence factor of “I am okay that people know that I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.” I don’t feel I need to keep that a secret. I am a firm believer that when you are more confident personally that can help contribute to your professional growth. The ARG has helped me say, “Yes, I am gay, but I am proud, and I don’t feel that any job or role or part of this company would not embrace me just because of who I am but what I can bring to the organization.”
I also feel a stronger sense of connection with peers across the company that I wouldn’t have met or interacted with if this ARG was not formed or have the platform it does today. I think in life we all want to feel included or comfortable with who we are, especially at work and this group has given me just that.
Courtesy of Nick B.
How do you think LGBTQ+|ONE has helped foster a more inclusive and diverse workplace?
I believe that LGBTQ+|ONE ARG has promoted the need to ensure that the community of LGBTQ+ leaders and associates are visible and acknowledged. Marriott now is part of the Equality 100 for Workplace inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community [an award granted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that recognizes corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality]. I believe the LGBTQ|ONE group has a huge drive to ensure we maintain this and has also contributed to achieving this important award.
I also look at the group and [see] we have many individuals that don’t identify as LGBTQ+ but are allies to the cause that human rights and dignity are critical to the community and they stand with us for support. I am confident that because of LGBTQ+|ONE, I have an easier time talking about my husband and family with peers and leaders than I did prior to the group forming. Now, that is progress!
What are your future goals within the group?
I plan to stay visible, connected and contribute where I can to ensure the legacy of this group continues to evolve and become even more connected into our company culture. There is a lot more progress than can be made within the LGBTQ+ community, and the needed work is not over. There are still plenty of dynamics going on here in the US and globally that can diminish rights of the LGBTQ+ population and until that is all resolved, the need for involvement and engagement is still just as high and needed as ever before.
How would you describe your experience as a Marriott associate?
My experience as a Marriott associate has been very rewarding, and [that is] something that I continue to find unique compared to other acquaintances or friends I know that are with other companies or in other industries. The sense of family and friends amongst colleagues is one of the most rewarding experiences that I never imagined would happen when I started with the company. As I look at my social circles in my personal life, so many of my friends are people that I have worked with over my 22 years of Marriott service and that I consider family. I also feel a strong sense of belonging, I feel that I am truly working for a company that deeply aligns with my personal and professional values. That is hard to come by and I don’t take any day with this company for granted.
Courtesy of Nick B.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I think one of the proudest moments in my career so far is to achieve a long-time professional goal of mine that is completing my MBA (Master of Business Administration). I will graduate this spring after three years of dedicating myself to this educational journey. Also, I was able to utilize the benefit of Marriott’s tuition reimbursement program, which helps reduce the overall cost for a graduate degree. This is a great company benefit that everyone should take advantage of when continuing education is their goal.
How would you describe Marriott’s culture?
It is deeply focused on the associate’s journey, the ability to embrace diversity and continue to stay innovative. As a leader in the company, I lean heavily on bringing these to the forefront of my interactions with the team. The goal is to ensure that my associates live out the culture each day and carry it forward. I appreciate the strong sense of community service efforts woven into our culture and see the positive impact on the lives of people in the cities and areas of where we do business.
What advice do you have for those interested in working at Marriott?
I believe selecting a company to work for should not be something you choose on a whim. If you want to work for a company that can give you endless possibilities of career growth, help challenge you in good ways, embraces diversity and an open mindset to find ways to continue to elevate the hospitality business, then Marriott is your home, not just for a job but for a long-term career.
If you want to surround yourself with great people who are hard workers but caring and mindful business leaders while working for a global organization, then Marriott is your choice. Oh, and the hotel discount benefit program for you and qualified friends and family is always a win!
Have you used the Marriott Explore Rate?
Oh yes! I have even trained my husband Brian quite well in the Marriott Mobile App to find us the best rate when we begin planning our travel adventures. The best employee rate we scored was the week that The St. Regis Hong Kong opened while we were traveling in Asia, in 2019.
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