With over two decades of industry expertise, Jackie Dacanay holds the distinguished position of Director of Organizational Culture and Belonging at Fairmont San Francisco, where she leads the charge in fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. As the first female minority and youngest to hold this role, Jackie has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including the establishment of a 50% female minority executive committee, setting a new standard for representation and empowerment in the hospitality sector. Her remarkable contributions have garnered recognition, with accolades such as the Silicon Valley 40 under 40 award, YWCA Silicon Valley Tribute to Women in Leadership award, and CHLA Women in Leadership award, underscoring her innovative approach and commitment to advancing women’s leadership and empowerment.

Driving Organizational Culture Through Community Engagement

Jackie’s commitment to community engagement reflects a profound understanding of its transformative impact on organizational culture. By actively involving the community, Jackie not only fosters a sense of belonging but also cultivates an environment where shared values thrive. Through initiatives that promote equality and diversity, Jackie ensures that every voice is heard and valued, thus creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and empowered.

Furthermore, by integrating community engagement into the fabric of the organization, Jackie enhances its employer branding, showcasing a commitment to social responsibility and civic duty. This not only attracts top talent but also instills a sense of pride among current employees, who see themselves as part of something greater than just a workplace.

Moreover, community involvement serves as a powerful tool for bolstering employee retention. When employees feel connected to their communities and see the positive impact of their work beyond the office walls, they are more likely to remain loyal and engaged. This sense of purpose and fulfillment strengthens relationships within the organization, fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and collective achievement.

Comprehensive Leadership and Team Development Strategy

At Fairmont San Francisco, Jackie and her team have instituted a comprehensive approach to leadership and team development that sets the standard for fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Through a blend of data-driven insights, values assessments, and a profound focus on well-being and productivity, they’ve crafted an environment where every team member feels connected, valued, and empowered to excel.

Their strategy begins with a meticulous analysis of data, leveraging both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights to understand past performance and inform strategic decision-making for the future. This data-driven approach ensures that initiatives are not only well-informed but also aligned with the organization’s overarching goals and values. By conducting values assessments, they create alignment between individual values and organizational objectives, fostering a sense of purpose and connection among team members.

Jackie and her team recognize the importance of prioritizing employee well-being and productivity, drawing on principles from psychology and neuroscience to promote a positive work environment. Embracing concepts such as the “happy” and “play” at work philosophy, as well as gratitude and positivity neuroscience, they’ve established a foundation for sustained engagement and high performance.

The team’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in their annual review and adaptation of development principles, ensuring relevance and adaptability in a dynamic industry landscape. By challenging traditional ideals and processes, they cultivate a culture of innovation, where experimentation and creative problem-solving are encouraged.

Importantly, inclusivity lies at the heart of their approach. Through inclusive conversations and a mapped infrastructure for talent development, they ensure that every team member has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to the organization’s success. This fosters a sense of belonging and collective ownership, driving collaboration and synergy across teams.

In parallel, Jackie’s journey through internships, co-op programs, and part-time jobs underscores the importance of practical work experience in complementing formal education. This hands-on approach has equipped her with the skills and insights necessary to thrive in the hospitality industry.

While facing curriculum evolution struggles, Jackie has adeptly navigated these challenges by supplementing her education with ongoing learning opportunities and industry certifications. This commitment to staying updated with current trends and technologies has been instrumental in her success in the rapidly evolving hospitality landscape.

Learning and Professional Development

Jackie’s commitment to ongoing learning and professional development exemplifies a proactive approach to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices. By dedicating specific time slots in her schedule and setting clear boundaries for learning, she ensures that growth remains a priority amidst her busy schedule. Allocating a budget for acquiring new skills further underscores her dedication to personal and professional advancement.

Jackie understands the importance of garnering support from stakeholders for her learning endeavors. By presenting a well-articulated business case that outlines the benefits of her continued development to the hotel, she fosters understanding and buy-in from key decision-makers.

Surrounding herself with individuals who value growth and facilitate learning, Jackie finds inspiration and encouragement to both expand her own knowledge and support others in their development journeys. Her innate curiosity and passion for novelty drive her to seek out new experiences, while her willingness to embrace discomfort fosters evolution and innovation, benefiting both herself and the hotel’s operations. Her experiences working within multiple Fairmont hotels have provided invaluable insights that extend beyond the realm of hospitality. Observing the importance of mindset in delivering consistent service excellence, Jackie recognizes that a commitment to going above and beyond is deeply ingrained in the culture, fostering a sense of ownership and pride among staff.

Moreover, navigating the unique ecosystems of personalities within each hotel has taught Jackie the importance of understanding and efficiently managing people dynamics for smooth operations. She acknowledges that the cultivation of culture varies from one property to another, influenced by factors such as local customs, leadership styles, and guest demographics.

Jackie’s experiences have also highlighted the importance of resiliency, adaptability, and resourcefulness when faced with unfamiliar environments and tasks. Building connections, both within the organization and with guests, emerges as a crucial lesson that enhances the guest experience and fosters a supportive network within the workplace.

Lastly, Jackie’s exposure to diverse people and places through travel has broadened her perspective and enriched her cultural understanding, further enhancing her ability to connect with others and navigate different contexts effectively. Through her dedication to continuous learning and her rich array of experiences, Jackie continues to evolve as a leader in the hospitality industry.

Aligning Health and Safety Protocols with Organizational Values

At Fairmont San Francisco, Jackie underscores that aligning health and safety protocols with the broader organizational culture and values involves a multifaceted process integrating various strategies. Firstly, qualitative and quantitative data analysis is employed to understand how employees perceive and define health and safety. This approach ensures that protocols resonate with the workforce, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment.

Secondly, there’s a prioritization of a holistic approach to wellness, recognizing individual needs vary. By scaling the focus on overall wellness tailored to each colleague, a supportive environment is created addressing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Moreover, continuous redefinition and evolution of wellness initiatives encompass non-physical aspects like psychological safety and trauma unpacking, acknowledging the interconnectedness of mind and body.

Additionally, a keen awareness of external social dynamics and events impacting the broader community informs corporate social responsibility efforts, prompting the addressing of pertinent issues such as social justice movements or global events including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and beyond.

Through integrating these approaches, health and safety protocols not only meet regulatory standards but also reflect the commitment to fostering a culture of care, inclusivity, and responsibility.

Vision for Organizational Culture and Belonging

At Fairmont San Francisco, Jackie articulates a vision for organizational culture and belonging deeply entrenched in inclusivity, empowerment, and advocacy. The foremost objective is to establish an infrastructure that is not only shaped by the people but also for the people, ensuring that every voice resonates and holds value. There exists a steadfast commitment to fostering heightened representation in senior leadership roles, acknowledging the pivotal role of diverse backgrounds in positions of influence to inspire and invigorate the entire workforce.

Furthermore, there’s an unwavering dedication to championing and facilitating access for underrepresented groups, guaranteeing equitable opportunities for all, irrespective of their backgrounds. Additionally, the commitment extends to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and a profound sense of belonging into every facet of operations, encompassing processes, procedures, organizational policies, and practices.

Guiding Principles for Future Endeavors

In propelling positive transformation and fostering a profound sense of belonging among employees in the forthcoming era, Jackie adheres to several fundamental principles. Foremost, Jackie recognizes that nurturing belongingness is a personal odyssey, one demanding an understanding of their own experiences and hardships, which are then shared to instill relatability among others. This entails carving out spaces for individuals to divulge their narratives and vulnerabilities, fostering an atmosphere where transparency is not just encouraged but celebrated.

Additionally, Jackie is steadfast in celebrating the individuality of each person and prioritizing their humanity above all. This entails recognizing and respecting differences, whether they stem from background, perspective, or life journey, and utilizing these diversities to enrich the tapestry of the organization. At the heart of this lies the acknowledgment that sans humans, there is no enterprise – underscoring the inherent value of each individual beyond their organizational role.

Jackie is resolute in prioritizing the well-being and fulfillment of employees by aligning tasks and responsibilities with their personal values. This necessitates a methodical and considerate approach to task delegation, ensuring that endeavors undertaken are not solely efficient but also imbued with significance and gratification for the individuals involved. By decisively eradicating the culture of haste and emphasizing tasks that cater to both the workforce and the organization, a more sustainable and human-centered work milieu can be cultivated.