Happy International Women’s Day, everybody! Take some time today to tell the women in your life what they mean to you and remember, sometimes, a hug says it all. Or, continue reading to find out how Alexandra Jaritz — Senior Vice President of Brand Management APAC at Hilton — breaks the bias.

Hello Alexandra, what does gender equality in today’s age mean to you?
I believe it is incredibly important to break stereotypes and create a conducive environment for all individuals to shine. There’s great potential in everyone – regardless of gender, age, and cultural backgrounds – and with advocacy and allyship, we can and must continue to have conversations around acceptance, build a more inclusive society and support more women and men find their voice and place in the world.

There’s this discussion that men can do some things better than women and vice versa, do you perhaps agree? Are there things you feel that women are able to do much better than men?
In Hilton, we see everyone as being able to contribute in different ways. I believe we should be doing as much as we can – as a society and as an organization – to empower women and men to succeed in different roles.

I am proud of the progress we have made at Hilton, in building such an inclusive culture and supporting our team members around the world. This is a relentless commitment from the very top, permeating throughout the organization.

In fact, Hilton has consistently been recognized for our commitment to diversity and inclusion, placing us as #1 on Diversity Inc’s list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity in 2021. We’ve also recently announced plans to increase gender and ethnic diversity in leadership roles, with a focus on the future as the pace of hiring within the industry picks up. Our aim is to achieve global gender parity and 25 percent ethnic diversity at our corporate leadership levels in the U.S. by 2027.

With this focus, we’ve cultivated an inclusive workplace that encourages diversity, and it’s truly a positive cycle – the more female leaders are represented in the boardroom sharing strategic insights and making meaningful contributions, the more they empower and inspire others to do the same.

Ultimately, it is when our team members – regardless of gender, age or culture – come together and connect to a bigger purpose, that we can spread the light and warmth of hospitality.

What do you think makes a great leader today? There’s all this talk about being empathetic and understanding, but is there something special in the way you approach leadership?
All the qualities mentioned do make a great leader. Personally, a female role model I look up to, and who’s played a huge role in influencing the leader I am today, is the first female chancellor of Germany, Ms. Angela Merkel.

Some of her leadership qualities I admire: Ms. Merkel’s thoughtfulness and deliberation in her decision making, openness to explore all angles, pros and cons, and her firm conviction in the choices she makes. When dealing with male leaders within her party, the EU, and across the world, she always had a place and a voice-based on fact and reason, with a sense of humour.

As a leader, I try to emulate her by listening to all sides of the story, considering all relevant information, and making judgment calls based on reason and logic instead of emotions. My mantra is to always remain calm and composed, deliver my best, and stand by my word, no matter how difficult it may be at times.

I admire visionary leaders who are willing to share their time and experience to mentor others and help them through their career paths. I speak from experience, having personally been very fortunate to have mentors who’ve been my voice and advocate. This has shaped my professional ethos as well, and as a leader, I always strive to give back and be a mentor to individuals of great potential.

Would you say that the hospitality industry has evolved in terms of the “power balance” between men and women? How so?
I was very fortunate to have been immersed in the hospitality industry from the time I was born. It is part of my heritage and DNA: my parents worked in hotels and in fact, it is where they met.

From an early age, I was armed with the tools to forge a career in the hospitality industry. I am aware of my privilege, that I was better positioned to succeed in the industry as a result of my background, experience, and network. My journey though would be different from many others. When I first launched my career, my challenges were less about gender obstacles and more about cutting my teeth in this business.

As I assumed more senior leadership roles, I became more aware of unconscious bias in the workplace.  Back then, issues such as inclusion and diversity were not widely discussed. It was accepted that male voices resonate louder in the board room.

Today, the “power balance” has evolved. Now more than ever, women have found their voices. A real source of strength for me throughout my career has been the moments when I see female leaders providing a supportive network and allegiance to colleagues, fostering a strong collaborative work environment instead of a competitive one.

At Hilton, we’ve done a lot to ensure that women leaders can be successful. We have launched a series of projects and platforms that cultivate inclusive environments. Through connection, mentorship, collaboration, discussion, online learning tools, and workshops, we are supporting and encouraging women to advance their personal growth and leadership potential. Just last year, Hilton topped the list for Fortune’s Best Large Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces for Women in China – a testament to our continued investment in women-focused initiatives, a robust program of partnerships, learning and development options, and industry-leading benefits.

I am grateful that Hilton is at the forefront of supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our company culture is reflected in the diversity of its team members, which is reflective of the world we live in and guests who book our hotels. It is important that every team member understands and embraces inclusion and diversity.

Do you find it difficult to hold people to the same standards regardless of gender? If not, how did you reach that state of thought?
Not necessarily. No one is perfect. I place more value in having the humility to acknowledge when mistakes are made and the openness and agility to change and improve.

What do you hope for the future then, in terms of equality? What do you think are the steps that need to happen?
I hope for a society and working world where everyone can find acceptance and support one another to thrive. One of the ways forward would be for companies to cultivate a growing appreciation for different leadership styles, focusing on unconscious bias training for everyone.

Leaders should groom future talents of different genders, ages, and cultural backgrounds. We need to provide opportunities for more individuals to build connections, grow their skills, and advance their careers, so more voices can be represented, especially in the board room. Employees should also play an active role in company initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, for instance, participating in resource groups, or optimizing maternity or paternity leave.

Beyond the workplace, I do hope that the wider society can be more involved in giving back to the community. I sincerely believe that we can all inspire others through our actions and experiences as well as help open more doors for more minority voices to be heard.

Lastly, out of curiosity, what’s the #1 song on your Spotify last year?

I’m a huge fan of Adele but John Mayer’s Gravity takes the spot here!

Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our March 2022 issue cover stars, BTS!