Greg DeShields: A Career Shaping the Hospitality Industry
Greg DeShields owns Greg DeShields Consulting LLC. He is a well-known tourism and hospitality professional with a diverse career in hotel operations, nonprofits, higher education, destination marketing, and advocacy. Passionate about his work, he has dedicated his life to creating and revolutionizing strategies and initiatives to promote tourism destinations. DeShields aims to build and sustain a culture of trust and belonging by developing, implementing, and overseeing strategies and initiatives that promote inclusion in every organization.
He graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a B.S. in Hospitality Management. He has also completed various leadership programs, such as the Urban League of Philadelphia Leadership Forum, Leadership Philadelphia, and Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange.
DeShields firmly believes that embracing access and inclusion in today’s fast-changing world is the right thing to do and a strategic advantage for organizations in all sectors. As a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) with extensive experience in academia, nonprofit, corporate, and government, he has seen how welcoming initiatives can drive real change. Throughout his career, he has worked to create a fair playing field where everyone has equal opportunities, break down systemic barriers, and implement fair policies.
Named to the NSBA Leadership Council
DeShields was recently appointed to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. The NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization and is staunchly nonpartisan. He will work alongside other small-business advocates from across the United States to promote the interests of small businesses to policymakers in Washington, D.C.
DeShields is a dedicated advocate for small businesses and has served on various Chamber of Commerce Boards, including the Center City Business Association and the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic, African American, Asian-American, and The Independence Business Alliance Philadelphia LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Recognized for His Leadership and Inclusion Work
DeShields leadership achievements and Inclusion work have been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including the 2023 ConventionSouth Meeting Professional to Watch in 2024, 2023 BizBash 15 Over 50, 2023 Metro Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Power Players, 2023 Pride Power 100 Most Influential Pennsylvania LGBTQ, 2022 Boy Scouts of America the Hospitality “Good Scout” Award, 2022 Black Meeting and Tourism Apex Award, 2022 Camden County Board of Commissioners Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Medal, 2022 PhocusWire Movers and Shakers: 2021 Philadelphia Tribune Most Influential African American Leaders, and 2020 Skål USA Chapter of the Year.
A Distinguished Career in Hospitality
DeShields began his career in the hospitality industry by completing the Hyatt Hotels Corporation Management Training Program. He then held management positions at well-known hotels such as Omni Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, and AKA Hotel Residences. Subsequently, he utilized his expertise in hotel management to lead the Hospitality Training Institute at Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) Philadelphia. This award-winning program provides career opportunities in the food, environmental services, facilities management, and hotel sectors for individuals with diverse skill levels.
Transitioning to higher education, he served as the managing director of business development at Temple University’s Fox School of Business & Tourism and Hospitality Management in Philadelphia for 13 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for fostering relationships aligned with the school’s missions and developing and implementing strategies at the United States and Japan campuses to enhance the school’s visibility in the business community.
DeShields then assumed the role of Executive Director at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau – PHL Diversity, where he provided leadership and strategic direction to promote and increase diversity in Philadelphia’s tourism and hospitality industry. His responsibilities encompassed overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations, including program development, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, initiatives to promote Philadelphia as a multicultural destination, and generating regional economic growth.
Following this, DeShields took on a leadership position at a national organization that promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tourism industry. In this role, he managed strategic planning, program development, and stakeholder engagement and ensured that tourism practices reflected and embraced the diverse communities they served.
An Impactful Career in Education
In addition to running his consulting business, DeShields is also an Adjunct Professor at the Community College of Philadelphia and Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management. He provides high-quality instruction to hospitality management students.
DeShields is deeply committed to giving back to his community. He was the champion in establishing The Delores W. DeShields Endowed Scholarship Award Ceremony at Temple University School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management. Since 2017, this fund has offered scholarships for juniors or seniors enrolled in STHM who exhibit a strong passion for travel and tourism.
This year, he collaborated to produce a student program uniquely designed to feature a dynamic, comprehensive Hotel Development Case Study Competition. The project’s learning objective is to encourage students to engage in the creative process of conceptualizing and designing a hotel.
With his passion for the field and dedication to enhancing the industry and community, Gregory DeShields inspires aspiring professionals and exemplifies evolving and advancing with grace, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.
And Today
DeShields is a contributing writer on Medium.com, a platform with over 100 million readers, where he covers topics related to Leadership and Inclusion. He also hosts “Something to Say,” a podcast that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their stories and perspectives on various topics.
DeShields serves on the boards of EBANMAN, INC., Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Green Book Experience, The Philadelphia Award, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, and Skål Philadelphia.
Greg DeShields is widely recognized as an accomplished keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator in the Tourism and Hospitality industry. He shares his insights, vision, and expertise with both veterans and newcomers in the hospitality field.
Published by: Holy Minoza
