Inclusion, equity and respect. The journey of the Principe di Savoia to promote and value female talent

For years, the Milanese hotel has been pursuing a concrete path toward an inclusive corporate culture, where gender equality is not just stated but lived every day.

“Equality is not only a women’s issue — it’s a collective commitment to building a fair, merit-based and respectful professional environment,” says Paola Iemmallo, Area Director of People and Culture. “In this context, Hotel Principe di Savoia has developed projects, events and partnerships that go far beyond symbolic occasions, becoming a true driver of cultural change.”

A powerful message, a date to celebrate
Celebrating November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, is a key event on the hotel’s calendar. The goal is clear: to spark reflection, create spaces for dialogue, and encourage everyone to take responsibility in their role — with a view toward collective growth. “If we have helped even one woman become aware of any abuse in any area of her life, we will have achieved our goal,” says Alessia Cavaliere, part of the People and Culture team at the Principe di Savoia, where she oversees initiatives focused on employee care and well-being. “We strongly believe that building an atmosphere of trust can generate a positive and virtuous chain reaction,” she continues. Several times throughout the year, all staff members are invited to pause, reflect, and take part in awareness and training activities.

The initiatives promoted in recent years have focused on several key areas. One crucial area is awareness of individual rights: in collaboration with respected experts such as lawyer Maria Grazia Di Nella, the hotel has organized sessions designed to provide women with concrete tools to understand and assert their rights — both in the workplace and in their personal lives. Another important focus is women’s financial empowerment, thanks to the contribution of Francesca Bertè, Vice President of Eqwa, who designs financial education programs aimed at women. Learning to manage one’s resources consciously and independently is one of the most effective ways to strengthen autonomy and self-determination. Equally significant is the hotel’s commitment to health and well-being. In partnership with LILT (Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer), the hotel has offered preventive medical check-ups focused on women’s health. It has also organized self-defense courses, designed to provide women with practical tools to handle potentially dangerous situations with greater confidence.

A code of ethics to guide change
At the heart of every initiative lies a strong foundation of values. The Dorchester Collection Code of Ethics serves as a concrete guide for all employees: it promotes a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment grounded in integrity, fairness, and equal opportunity. “This document is not merely an internal regulation, but a shared asset that also extends to external stakeholders, ensuring that the commitment to inclusion becomes a collective responsibility. The Code also acts as a preventive tool against discrimination, abuse, and behavior that undermines individual dignity, reinforcing a culture of listening and mutual respect,” says Paola Iemmallo.

In a global context where gender equality is still a goal yet to be fully achieved, the experience of Hotel Principe di Savoia demonstrates that inclusion is not a destination, but a daily journey — made up of small gestures, concrete actions, and conscious choices. Only through deep cultural change, beginning within companies and extending to society as a whole, can we build a future in which everyone — women, men, and non-binary people alike — can feel free, safe, and valued.