Jimmie Walton Paschall is global diversity officer and senior vice president of external affairs for Marriott International. In this capacity, Ms. Paschall spearheads the company’s diversity outreach both inside and outside the United States, broadening the footprint of Marriott’s award-winning diversity initiatives among the company’s workforce, owners and franchisees, suppliers and customers. Paschall also oversees the company’s support of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities and its national “Bridges…from school to work” program, which trains and links young people with disabilities to productive employment with companies across the country.
Paschall plays a primary role in the company’s Board of Directors’ “Committee for Excellence,” which was established in 2003 to set significant diversity objectives and monitor progress. She co-chairs Project Excel, a working group of Marriott executives who lead the company’s diversity initiatives.
Prior to this assignment, Paschall was executive vice president of external affairs at Volunteers of America, Inc., where she developed and implemented a strategic plan to dramatically expand the visibility, stature and impact of the 111-year old organization. Other previous roles include executive positions in human resources and corporate relations with XO Communications, Sodexho and Host Marriott Services Corporation (now HMSHost Corporation).
Paschall first launched her career with Marriott as a college student, working as a gift shop attendant. She advanced through a range of positions in the company’s regional operations as well as senior management roles at the company’s headquarters.
Paschall is a graduate of Howard University. She serves on Patton Boggs’ Diversity Advisory Board and the Georgetown University Chief Diversity Officers Consortium. She resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband and two children.