Years of progressive Operationss and Human Resources experience
Yoke Yong
Director of HR
Dallas,TX
Summary
Dynamic and experienced HR leader with a solid track record in driving strategic workforce initiatives and enhancing labor relations to boost talent engagement. I excel at leading culture-driven HR transformations, ensuring that people strategies align seamlessly with organizational goals. My expertise includes managing complex labor relations, successfully navigating union negotiations, and minimizing compliance risks while fostering inclusive talent acquisition and leadership development. As a seasoned Director, I am skilled in strategic planning and performance optimization, focusing on developing effective operational strategies that support company growth. Additionally, my commitment to exceptional service and adaptability shines through in my work, ensuring a positive experience for all stakeholders.
Overview
20
20
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Director of Talent and Culture
Fairmont Dallas
Dallas, Texas
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Collaborated with senior leaders to streamline operational workflows as strategic business partner, implemented measurable improvements in efficiency and service delivery.
- Oversaw third-party lease labor management, optimized vendor collaboration and ensuring performance accountability.
- Orchestrated and executed over 30 meaningful colleague engagement events in 2024, cultivating inclusive workplace culture.
- Spearhead culture-driven HR initiatives and training programs, enhancing morale and cultivating an inclusive, high-performance workplace environment.
- Designed/implemented leadership development programs, resulting in 18% year-over-year increase in internal promotions.
- Enhanced manager effectiveness and employee performance by designing sustainable leadership development programs in collaboration with senior leaders.
- Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, advancing discrimination and harassment prevention through targeted awareness efforts.
- Elevated financial performance, strengthened owner relations, and enhanced colleague engagement across all departments by partnering with the executive committee.
- Reengineered the onboarding experience and launched strategic talent acquisition initiatives, expanding outreach through targeted college partnerships and recruitment campaigns.
- Aligned HR strategy with business goals in collaboration with executive leadership and property owners, driving a 7% boost in employee satisfaction across 250+ FTEs and 100+ leased staff.
- Executed innovative, equity-focused recruitment strategies, cutting time-to-fill by 20% while improving workforce diversity and cross-departmental representation.
- Revamped onboarding and integration processes for full-time and leased labor, reducing turnover by 45% and accelerating new-hire engagement.
Regional Director of Employees Labor Relations
Marriott International Corporate
Remote, San Francisco
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Directed labor relations strategy across U.S. properties, collaborating closely with HR Directors and General Managers to ensure alignment with organizational and compliance objectives.
- Neutralized union organizing activity in San Francisco through proactive engagement, strategic communication, and effective risk mitigation.
- Applied in-depth knowledge of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regulations to advise on policy, investigations, and dispute resolution.
- Led high-stakes union campaigns by advising executive stakeholders on engagement tactics and risk mitigation, securing outcomes aligned with organizational goals.
- Reinforced culture of trust, inclusion, and accountability by delivering expert counsel on grievance handling, conflict resolution, and organizational fairness initiatives.
- Acted as a key HR business partner to senior leadership across 100+ Marriott properties, advising on labor relations, compliance, and employee relations strategies impacting a workforce of over 20,000 employees.
- Enhanced team effectiveness and strengthened workplace culture by guiding and coaching Marriott portfolio managers in labor relations, leadership, and employee engagement best practices.
- Enhanced awareness of labor laws and minimized legal risk exposure by delivering comprehensive compliance and leadership culture training to over 3,000 managers.
- Revamped the internal resolution framework and led enterprise-wide training rollout across all legacy Starwood properties, strengthening consistency and conflict management effectiveness.
Director of Human Resources
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
San Francisco, California
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Oversaw union relations and enforced compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), fostering a collaborative labor environment and enhancing operational efficiency in a highly unionized setting.
- Steered the organization through a major labor strike, ensuring business continuity while diplomatically resolving key issues between union leadership and hotel management.
- Partnered with the executive committee to design and execute comprehensive hotel strategies, balancing innovation and business growth with contractual obligations under the CBA.
- Directed operations for a 1,500-room property and 1,000 employees, successfully maintaining business continuity and staff engagement during a 61-day labor strike.
- Reduced turnover by 10% and boosted employee engagement by 15% by directing inclusive talent acquisition efforts and implementing leadership development programs.
- Served as the central liaison for employee relations, resolving complex workplace issues and enhancing performance management in alignment with Marriott’s strategic objectives.
- Acted as strategic HR business partner to ensure overall success of the business and colleague experience.
Front Office Manager
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
San Francisco, California
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Cultivated strong union partnerships while upholding service standards and operational efficiency in a complex labor environment.
- Navigated labor strike challenges by sustaining departmental performance, ensuring labor compliance, and fostering transparent communication between union representatives and management.
- Directed and developed a high-performing team of 250+ front office professionals, reducing turnover by 12% through targeted mentorship, structured training programs, and a culture of recognition and accountability.
- Decreased guest wait times as well as elevated service delivery and operational responsiveness by spearheading process enhancements and implemented mobile check-in technology.
- Enhanced overall guest satisfaction by launching personalized service strategies and ensuring seamless room readiness, resulting in increased guest loyalty, repeat business, and favorable satisfaction scores.
- Optimized room turnover processes and delivered cohesive and efficient guest journey from arrival to departure by partnering closely with housekeeping, engineering, and other departments.
Education
B.A. - Hospitality Management
Washington State University
Hospitality Management Exchange Program
Cesar Ritz College
SwitzerlandIntercultural Exchange Program
American Field Service
SwitzerlandSkills
- Strategic HR Leadership
- Union Strategy & Engagement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- HR Policy Development
- Project Management & Leadership
- Talent Development & Executive Coaching
- Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
- Inclusive Leadership & DEI Advocacy
- Organizational Culture Transformation
- Employee Experience & Engagement
- Labor Relations & Regulatory Compliance
- Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
- Guest Experience & Loyalty Building
- HR Technology & Process Optimization
- Cross-Departmental Leadership
- Crisis management
- Resource allocation
- Capital spending
- Budget control
- Analytical thinking
- Time management
- Company guidelines
- Rules and regulations
- Market analysis
- Team collaboration
- Contract negotiation
- Corporate social responsibility
Certification
- Breakthrough Leadership Certified
- Investigation Process
- Human Trafficking Prevention
- Harassment and Discrimination Prevention
Accomplishments
- Boosted colleague engagement by 15% through targeted leadership development and recognition programs.
- Reduced employee turnover by 30% by streamlining recruitment, enhancing retention strategies, and overhauling onboarding.
- Increased internal mobility by 20% by launching mentorship initiatives and implementing structured succession planning.
- Improved operational efficiency by 15% through optimized staffing models, AI technology, cost-saving HR strategies, and upgraded training programs.
- Led and achieved a favorable outcome during an active labor campaign.
- Executed over 35 colleague engagement initiatives in 2024, focusing on wellness, recognition, celebrations, DEI, and LGBTQ+.
Community Service
- Organizer & Chair, Marriott's Torch Relay for Children's Miracle Network, 2019, San Francisco Bay Area, Raised over $100K, organized SF first Torch Relay event with 1,000+ participants.
- Chairperson, NEXTGEN SF Bay Area Chapter, 2019, Led initiatives supporting Marriott's global goals and coached junior leaders, won 2019 Best Chapter.
- Chair, ONE Marriott LGBTQ SF Bay Area Chapter, 2019, Spearheaded LGBTQ+ training and initiatives promoting inclusivity, organized over 15 events.
- Organizer, Hearts and Hammers, Lead community service projects aiding underserved families with home repairs.
- Volunteer, Operation Kindness, Support animal welfare initiatives through fundraising, adopted 2 pets personally.
- Advocate, LGBTQI+ Center, Provide community support through event coordination.
- Volunteer, Homeless & Youth Programs, Volunteer with local initiatives for shelter and resources for at-risk populations.
Languages
- Fluent in Cantonese
- Fluent in Mandarin
- Fluent in Malay
- Fluent in English
- Basic conversational Spanish
Personal Information
Relocation: Open to Relocation
Timeline
Director of Talent and Culture
Fairmont Dallas
01.2023 - 01.2025
Regional Director of Employees Labor Relations
Marriott International Corporate
01.2019 - 01.2023
Director of Human Resources
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
01.2017 - 01.2019
Front Office Manager
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
01.2015 - 01.2017
B.A. - Hospitality Management
Washington State University
Hospitality Management Exchange Program
Cesar Ritz College
Intercultural Exchange Program
American Field Service
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