Greg DeShields

Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional proficient developing and implementing plans, strategies and initiatives specifically designed to raise destinations image for diverse multicultural travel. Experienced Diversity Equity and Inclusion practitioner with a demonstrated cultural competence.

Executive Director - Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau – PHL Diversity

Executive Director - Tourism Diversity Matters

Adjunct Professor - Temple University- School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

Freelance Writer Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Meetings Today

Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically

designed to raise destinations image for diverse, multicultural travel.

Experienced Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) with demonstrated cultural competence.

Prepared to strategically position an organization to remove systemic barriers to inclusion, lead culture change, and transform the brand.

Graduate of Johnson & Wales University Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management; and B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management.

Professional Development Leadership Graduate: Institute for Diversity Certification, Urban League of Philadelphia, Leadership Forum, Leadership Philadelphia, and Greater Philadelphia

Leadership Exchange.

Awards and Honors: 2021 Event Industry Council: Social Impact Award”, 2020 Philadelphia

Tribune Most Influential African American Leaders, 2020 Meetings Today Trendsetter

(Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Education), 2020 Funtime Magazine, Philadelphia Icon Award

Professional Affiliations: Past President SKAL Philadelphia Chapter, board member:

Achieve NEXT Global, Blacks in Travel and Tourism, Boy Scouts of American Cradle of Liberty,

Center City District, Center City Proprietors Association, COMHAR Inc., Greater Philadelphia

Hispanic, African American, Asian-American, and LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and

Philadelphia Award.

Professional Certifications: Society of Diversity – Certified Diversity Executive (CDE),

American Hotel & Lodging Association, Educational Institute – Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), and Asian American Hotel Owners Association – Certified Hotel Owner CHO)

Greg is a longtime Tourism and Hospitality professional, native Philadelphian with a passion

for his work and is dedicated to giving back to the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Frequent presenter, specific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fundamentals: Assessment,

Planning, Strategies, and Implementation to reinforce the need for organizations to lead

inclusion from the top.