TO ETHER
OPENING DOORS
PEOPLE FIRST NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2026
At Highgate, we have always put people first. We’ve built a culture where every Associate is accepted, valued, and encouraged to thrive. This same spirit thrives in our 500+ hotels globally—After all, welcoming others is at the heart of hospitality.
Four Pillars.
One culture.
K
Know Your Impact
Self-awareness & emotional intelligence
I
Inspire Through Kindness
Compassionate, recognition-rich leadership
N
Navigate with Clarity
Clear roles, decisions, & communication
D
Deliver with Purpose
Service excellence & ownership
A MESSAGE FROM GERI
Geri Williams-Fitts, Chief People Officer
Culture is not a side initiative for the Highgate organization — it is foundational to how we operate, retain talent, support our teams, and differentiate ourselves as we continue to grow.
Our Inclusion Council and High Impact Groups provide a meaningful role in strengthening engagement, creating connection across departments and teams, improving the Associate experience, and helping reinforce the environment we want people to feel when they come to work each day.
Their participation helps strengthen the culture and associate experience that our Highgate leadership deeply values.
OUR HIGH IMPACT GROUP LEADERS—GET TO KNOW US!
Abdul Rahman
Co-Chair
Gender and Generational Pathways
Adreena Martin
Co-Chair
Ethnic & Racial Unity
Dina Winder
Co-Chair
People First Wellness
Diana Mills
Co-Chair
Cultural Connections
OUR PEOPLE FIRST PRIORITIES
FOCUS ON THREE KEY AREAS
Ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for every Associate.
Attracting and retaining top talent.
Practicing good citizenship and community involvement.
HIGHGATE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Highgate Recognized
Nationally
These awards are especially meaningful because they are based solely on the voices of our Associates. In their surveys, Associates highlighted the very qualities that make Highgate an exceptional place to grow a career: our strong culture, commitment to promoting from within, caring and approachable leadership, dedication to professional development, inclusive environment, and our transparency in the way we operate.
The recognition is a reflection of our Associates' passion, contributions, and commitment to making Highgate not only a leader in hospitality, but also a workplace where people feel valued, supported and inspired to succeed.
THE FOUNDATION
KINDNESS IS
Kindness is sometimes viewed as a small gesture, but in the workplace, it can be a powerful operating principle.
Kindness influences how we welcome a new associate, how we conduct a difficult conversation, and how we support someone during a stressful day. It is present in whether a person has the information, tools, and resources necessary to succeed from the beginning.
WORLD KINDNESS AT HIGHGATE
Building a kinder, more connected workplace.
Adreena Martin
Vice President, Human Resources – Special Projects
Chair, Ethnic & Racial Unity, High Impact Group
GOOD CITIZENSHIP IN ACTION
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Through the Highgate Charitable Foundation and Community Engagement, we lead with purpose and integrity. Highgate's Charitable Foundation's mission is to support philanthropic organizations and communities worldwide that address issues related to poverty, education and health care. HCF fundraises on behalf of a diverse array of public charities dedicated to the betterment of our global community.
PLACEHOLDER CONTENT
HIGH IMPACT 2026 GROUPS
HIGH IMPACT GROUPS
YOUR HIGH IMPACT GROUPS
Each High Impact Group—Cultural Connections, Ethnic & Racial Unity, Gender & Generational Pathways, and People First Wellness—serves as a practical expression of our values and provides a platform for our associates to create meaningful impact. By integrating our High Impact Groups into the K.I.N.D. Framework, we reinforce their purpose, increase engagement, and demonstrate how they contribute to a more inclusive, connected, and high-performing organization.
ETHNIC & RACIAL UNITY
HIGH IMPACT GROUP
Celebrate and promote inclusivity within our community. Through workshops, cultural events, and open forums, we strive to raise awareness about racial & ethnic issues and encourage meaningful dialogue.
GENDER/GENERATIONAL PATHWAYS
HIGH IMPACT GROUP
Cultivate an environment that embraces all generations and genders, offering a safe space for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and mentoring, while promoting equal opportunities for growth and a fair, inclusive experience for all.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
HIGH IMPACT GROUP
Foster an inclusive and connected workplace by cultivating awareness and developing cross-cultural communication skills through education, events, networking, and social gatherings.
PEOPLE FIRST WELLNESS
HIGH IMPACT GROUP
Promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being in the workplace by providing supportive resources, increased awareness, participation, and engagement in Highgate's existing wellness benefit programs.
GENDER AND GENERATIONAL PATHWAYS GROUP
ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY,
BUILDING COMMUNITY.
The Gender and Generational Pathways Group fosters connection, inclusion, and growth through initiatives that empower our people and strengthen our culture.
WOMEN FORWARD
Highgate women leaders attended AHLA’s 2026 FORWARD conference. Pictured here with Steve Batta, Group President, Highgate.
WHAT EVERY
GENERATION CAN TEACH US
Five generations are represented in today’s workforce. That creates different communication styles, expectations and approaches to technology—but it also gives us an extraordinary opportunity to learn from one another.
Through my work with Highgate’s internship program, I see that opportunity firsthand. These new associates are often at the forefront of new technology, artificial intelligence and emerging forms of communication. They can teach more experienced colleagues new ways to present information and solve problems.
At the same time, established leaders can provide context, judgment, professional knowledge and perspective gained through experience.
Abdul Rahman
Corporate Director, Talent Acquisition;
Chair, Gender & Generational Pathways High Impact Group
ETHNIC & RACIAL UNITY HIGH IMPACT GROUP
VOICES OF UNITY,
STORIES OF KINDNESS.
Hear from Highgate Associates on how ethnic and racial unity strengthens our culture and builds a kinder Highgate.
Unity starts with listening. When we take time to understand each other's stories, we build trust, break down barriers, and create a culture where everyone belongs.
QUIMBY HIGHTOWER
HIGHGATE ASSOCIATE
PEOPLE FIRST WELLNESS HIGH IMPACT GROUP
SUPPORTING WELL-BEING
ENCOURAGING HEALTH.
People First Wellness supports associate well-being through initiatives like Thrive Together and helpful seasonal resources. We are also featuring the 2026 Health Calendar and related wellness resources for Associates.
HEALTH CALENDAR & LINK
https://www.healthadvocate.com/site/communications-calendar-26
PEOPLE FIRST WELLNESS
PLACEHOLDER CONTENT
PEOPLE FIRST
ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2026
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Philanthropic Efforts: We exceeded our fundraising goal by 11% this summer. Total amount raised: $1,655,803.88. Highgate Charitable Foundation has raised $13M+, along with the Highgate Relief Fund distributing 943 grants to date.
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Employee Retention: Corporate turnover rate is 20%, significantly lower than the hospitality industry average of 70%. This demonstrates that we are creating an environment where Associates feel valued, supported, and engaged.
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Internships: We have a 76% conversion rate for 2025 interns to Highgate employees.
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Glassdoor Ratings: Our Irving Corporate office reviews are a high average of 4.9% out of 5. We're proud to have received our highest DE&I rating today on Glassdoor of 4.0.
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LinkedIn: Highgate has the third most followers for a hospitality company in the industry, with 88,367 followers, a 14% increase from 2024, 577,026 impressions in 2025, and 9,760 reactions (a 58.4% increase) from 2024.
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E-Cornell: We expanded the certificates program from Cornell University in 2025, resulting in 240 enrollments and 87 graduates.
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Cornerstone LMS: Our Associates completed 26,999 courses across 18 language offerings and 6,516 training hours in 2025 in our internal Learning Management System. Our 2026 expansion includes compliance training, an enterprise-wide mentorship platform and EXP AI integration, including streamlining employee engagement, learning and development, HR operations, analytics and decision making.
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Volunteer Hours: Our Associates completed over 10,000 hours of volunteer community service, up 2,000 hours over last year.
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Telus Health: We launched Telus Health in 2025, offering comprehensive FMLA management services that support employees during leave of absence, elevating Associates' leave of absence experience.
GET INVOLVED
IN A HIGH IMPACT GROUP
High Impact Groups at Highgate provide personal and professional opportunities for Associates. Our teams give back through cultural and community-focused events as we proudly partner with organizations that uplift diverse communities. Join a High Impact Group to help drive our mission forward. Scan the QR code to apply on Highgate InTouch. Password: wearehighgate
We hope you enjoyed our Summer Newsletter. The next edition of our People First Newsletter will be published this winter. Any questions or suggestions? Contact: CorporateHR@Highgate.com
HIGHGATE
© 2026 HIGHGATE HOTELS LP