San Francisco, California

When financier Bill Kimpton created the boutique hotel concept in 1981, he knew he needed to hire the best people he could find.

He valued individuality, creativity, community and the environment. And he wanted employees who shared those values. As the company grew, so did its emphasis on individuality. At Kimpton, each hotel and restaurant reflects the energy, personality and pulse of its location, history and architectural style.

Just as Kimpton values the uniqueness of each hotel and restaurant — and each customer’s experience — it recognizes the individuality and contributions of each of its 6,200 employees. Each has unique talents. Each has something special to offer. And each is key to the company’s success.

Kimpton taps into employees’ creativity and self-expression to get them involved, whether it’s through one of its seven regional diversity advisory boards of front-line employees, contests, its Gay and Lesbian Employee Network, community service or diversity training programs.

The company’s annual poster contest kicks off the winter holiday season. Employees submit their artwork to the corporate office in San Francisco, where the posters are displayed under a huge “Peace on Earth” banner. The winning entries become the artwork for the company’s holiday cards and are printed in a diversity calendar. “It’s one of the best things we do,” Chief Operating Officer Niki Leondakis says.

Kimpton’s employees said it best. In a company-wide essay contest, employees reflected on what diversity means to them.

Here’s what a few of them had to say:

Bernadette, a front-desk clerk in Washington, D.C.: “It’s not one’s race, age or sex that determines your fitness; it is your passion and perseverance to pursue your dream.”

Fannie, a staff member of the Tuscan Inn in San Francisco: “With my staff, I am very sensitive to every situation and feel that my staff should understand that we should recognize everyone as a human being.”

Brian, employee of Postrio restaurant in San Francisco: “Rolling a tortilla, using chopsticks, getting a tattoo, all of these experiences are the result of people sharing their culture.”

As Kimpton employees share their culture and experiences, the company grows stronger. Its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion have resulted in a senior staff that is 30 percent minority and 57 percent female. Overall, 70 percent of its employees are minorities. And they speak eight to 10 different languages at each restaurant and hotel.

At Kimpton, every employee tells a story.

View Kimpton's video here.