In a time when silence might seem safer, Marriott International chose to speak out.

With a global footprint of over 800,000 associates spread across hotels and resorts, Marriott has built more than just a hospitality empire—it has built a culture. A culture so admired that in 2025, it ranked No. 8 on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, with 90% of employees voicing support for the company, far outpacing the 57% average in similar industries.

So, what makes Marriott more than just another corporate giant? A big part of it is trust in leadership—a rare quality that defines not just the legacy of former chairman Bill Marriott, but also the current stewardship under David S. Marriott and CEO Anthony Capuano. Their compass doesn’t spin with politics. It points steadily toward people.

But recently, that compass was tested.

At the Great Place to Work For All Summit in Las Vegas, where thousands of executives gathered—many from companies celebrated on the Fortune list—Capuano shared a moment of reckoning. In an honest conversation with Great Place to Work CEO Michael Bush, he recounted a pivotal period triggered by former President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The new directives sent ripples of uncertainty across corporate America, especially among companies that had boldly embraced DEI principles. These orders hinted at changes that could impact everything from hiring practices to leadership training, threatening federal funding for those who failed to comply. While the legality of these moves remains under debate, their psychological impact was immediate—and unnerving.

For Marriott, the question wasn’t just about compliance. It was about conscience.

“I gathered my executive leadership team at our headquarters in Bethesda,” Capuano shared. “We took a week to dig in—to listen, to research, to reflect.”

But the world wasn’t waiting. Just days later, Capuano traveled to Los Angeles for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, only to be met with a flood of questions about Marriott’s future stance on DEI.

Would they back down?

Would they hedge their values?

Would silence speak louder than action?

Capuano didn’t flinch.

Instead, he remembered his mentor—Bill Marriott—and those countless heart-to-hearts that shaped his leadership style. In that moment, he realized staying quiet would mean betraying the very values that had made Marriott a beacon in the industry.

So he chose to speak.

Without mincing words, he reaffirmed Marriott’s commitment to DEI, making it clear that inclusion isn’t a marketing slogan for them—it’s a moral imperative.

“We're not just ticking boxes,” Capuano said. “We’re creating opportunity. We’re embracing talent. We’re building teams that reflect the world we serve.”

In a climate where many companies are reconsidering their DEI initiatives for fear of political backlash or financial risk, Marriott’s stand is not just admirable—it’s necessary.

It’s a reminder that true leadership isn’t about reacting to headlines—it’s about living your values, especially when they’re unpopular.

And for the hundreds of thousands of associates who wear the Marriott badge, it means this: No matter what storm comes next, they’re led by someone who listens, stands up, and—above all—leads with heart.