Can doing good actually make your business more profitable?

In this episode of The Room Key, host Chase Keller sits down with Anna Blue, former President of the AHLA Foundation, for a candid and insightful conversation about workforce development, DEI, and what hotel owners need to know about building a stronger team and a better guest experience.

Anna shares her journey from social justice to hospitality, unpacks the real meaning (and business impact) of DEI, and explains why hotel owners—many of whom are immigrants themselves—have more to gain than lose by investing in their people.

Whether you’re skeptical of DEI or already on board, this episode doesn’t take sides—it seeks solutions. From practical tips on retention and recruitment to bold thoughts on anti-trafficking efforts and generational leadership shifts, this conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on what matters.

Because at the end of the day, great hotels are built by great people.

🔑 Topics Covered

• How Anna Blue accidentally entered hospitality
• What hotel owners get wrong about DEI
• Workforce programs that actually work (and are free!)
• Why guest experience starts with employee experience
• How to rethink hotel jobs as long-term careers
• The role of hotel owners in the fight against human trafficking
• Bridging the gap between what employees want and what ownership needs