Marriott International is recognized as having one of the largest and most content workforces globally. The organization comprises over 800,000 associates working across its hotels and resorts worldwide. It is particularly noted for its robust culture, having secured the eighth position on Fortune’s 2025 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. An impressive 90% of Marriott employees endorse the company, in contrast to the average of 57%.
The company’s accomplishments are largely attributed to trust in its leadership, including past chairman Bill Marriott, current chairman David S. Marriott, and CEO Anthony Capuano. During an interview at the Great Place to Work For All Summit in Las Vegas, CEO Michael Bush discussed a recent pivotal moment with Capuano and how he tackled it. The summit gathered thousands of executives from over 800 companies, many of which are included in the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list.
In recent years, Marriott’s leaders have publicly expressed their goal to be at the forefront of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, policies enacted by President Donald Trump presented a challenge to these aspirations, leading to potential adjustments in hiring, promotions, and training processes. Non-compliance with these policies could result in reductions of federal funding to private sector companies, although the legality is still being evaluated.
Following President Trump’s announcement of significant changes to DEI initiatives in January, various executives and companies were left in a state of uncertainty. Anthony Capuano convened with his executive leadership team in Bethesda, Maryland, choosing to take a week for research and consideration before reconvening. Subsequently, Capuano attended the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles, where he faced numerous inquiries regarding Marriott’s future stance on DEI.
Recalling discussions with his mentor and former chairman Bill Marriott, Capuano decided to address these concerns publicly. He stated, “The winds blow, but there are some fundamental truths for those 98 years. 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 that night, Capuano hoped his remarks resonated correctly. His message had a profound effect, as he received 40,000 emails from Marriott associates globally expressing gratitude. Many employees conveyed their appreciation for being part of an organization whose values mirrored their own.
Marriott is one of the Fortune Best Companies to Work For actively supporting DEI policies, alongside companies like Delta and Cisco. This information was initially published on Fortune.com.
