Greg Deshields Male • United States of America

Greg DeShields is a nationally respected tourism industry executive, certified hospitality educator, consultant, and nonprofit leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing inclusive workforce development, destination growth, and strategic partnerships across tourism, hospitality, education, and nonprofit sectors. As the Founder and Principal at Greg DeShields Consulting LLC (GDC), he leads the consulting practice focused on workforce development, tourism education, destination engagement, organizational leadership, and industry partnerships that connect education, industry, and community impact for sustainable growth and long-term results across global markets.

Greg collaborates with the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals and the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership at Howard University. Through these partnerships, he develops curriculum, facilitates workforce development initiatives, and designs industry engagement programs that support hospitality education. His work connects students, educators, and professionals through experiential learning, mentorship, and career development opportunities that strengthen talent pipelines and improve long-term workforce readiness across the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Greg DeShields serves as President of Skål Philadelphia, providing strategic leadership within a global tourism organization. In his second term, he focuses on membership growth, leadership development, sustainability, and industry engagement while strengthening collaboration among tourism, hospitality, destination, and business leaders. His efforts support regional tourism development and organizational impact across multiple stakeholder groups and reinforce the organization’s role within the broader global Skål network.

DeShields contributes at the international level through service on the Skål International Tourism Sustainability Committee, supporting responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, and sustainable destination practices across the travel industry. He is also involved in Young Skål and Project Future, which connect hospitality students and emerging professionals with industry leaders through mentorship, education, and career development opportunities designed to strengthen future leadership pipelines within global tourism ecosystems.

Greg DeShields hosts a leadership-focused podcast series that explores leadership, passion, and purpose through conversations with voices from across industries and lived experiences. He has also served as a DisruptHR presenter for two consecutive years, sharing insights on workforce trends, leadership, and talent development. His academic background includes degrees in hospitality management and participation in distinguished leadership programs that support professional growth and community engagement across the education and industry sectors.