Ask the Expert: Growing Inclusive Leadership through Curiosity and Intentional Sponsorship
Through our work with hundreds of clients, The Diversity Movement has connected with thousands of fascinating people who are creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces and communities. For this “Ask the Expert” series, we invite leaders to talk about their DEI journey, lessons they’ve learned, and what inspires them every day.
Erin Stone, Vice President, Samuel Lawrence Hospitality (A Division of Hooker Furnishings)
Erin Stone is the Vice President of Samuel Lawrence Hospitality, a division of Hooker Furnishings. Her division develops and manufactures furniture for four- and five-star hotels. Prior to this role, she spent eight years in various roles in residential furniture sold-to-the-trade, from Senior Account Manager to VP of Relationship Management Operations. All of these roles share a common thread – developing proprietary products and providing next-level service to fulfill customer needs.
Design is Erin’s first love, but management came calling early in her career and being able to manage teams and divisions in these design-focused industries was a great fit for her. Being the co-chair of the company’s Advancement of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) committee, rounds out the trifecta with its values-based mission to make the company the best place to work in the furniture industry and within the communities where it operates.
