About the Episode

I'm joined by Dr. David Rodriguez, Global CHRO of Marriott International. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of values and culture in the employee experience. As companies continue to compete for both talent and customers, experience becomes a differentiating point. Brands that don’t put their employees first will not be as competitive in a marketplace driven by experience.

About Our Guest

Dr. David Rodriguez oversees human capital for the leading hospitality player in one of the most significant employment sectors – Travel and Tourism – which supports one out of every 10 jobs worldwide and accounts for roughly 10% of global GDP.

His leadership spans decades and transcends multiple cultures and geographies. The mastermind behind Marriott’s award-winning TakeCare employee wellbeing initiative, Rodriguez is at the forefront of optimizing multi-generational workforces and attracting and retaining top talent, including millennials. He’s a sought-after expert and established authority on all aspects of human capital management, including leadership development, organizational culture and inclusion, digital employment marketing, global hiring trends and the workforce of the future.
Marriott International is one of FORTUNE’s Most Admired Companies and has been on their 100 Best Workplaces list for more than two straight decades. Rodriguez was personally named 2019 HR Executive of Year by Human Resource Executive magazine. The award recognizes human resource leaders who have made outstanding contributions to their organizations and who epitomize the increasingly strategic role of HR in business today.

His academic and professional expertise is complemented by real-world experience and hard-earned wisdom. The proud son of U.S. immigrants, he is especially passionate and well-versed on advancing company culture, championing diversity and promoting inclusion. A strong proponent of career development, meaningful innovation and lifelong learning, he's also a cancer survivor and an outspoken champion for advancing employee wellbeing.

Rodriguez graduated with a B.A. from New York University where he also earned a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology. He is an inducted Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, a Governor of the American Health Policy Institute, a Vice Chair of the Human Resources Policy Association Board of Directors, and a member of the HR People + Strategy Advisory Council and the CHRO Peer Roundtable.

Rodriguez currently resides in the Washington, D.C.-area with his family, is an avid reader, sports fan and travel enthusiast.