Leadership Rooted in Determination and Purpose

Leslie Hale, President & CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, is a leader shaped by discipline, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering belief in personal agency. Growing up with modest resources, she learned early the importance of preparation and the power of setting ambitious goals, even when the path forward was unclear. At Howard University and later on Wall Street, she developed a reputation for outworking challenges and approaching every opportunity with curiosity and analytical precision. Hale credits her trajectory to the people who invested in her potential and to her own willingness to make bold moves: relocating for growth, taking on unfamiliar roles, and stepping into spaces where she was often the first, or only, person who looked like her. What defines her leadership is not just persistence, but the intentional choice to stretch, to learn, and to turn every barrier into a building block for what comes next.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• “Preparation breeds confidence and courage.”
• “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”
• “You can’t be what you can’t see - representation matters.”
• “Every barrier I faced taught me persistence.”
• “Leadership is using your platform to open doors for others.”

‍‍Closing Reflection 

Leslie Hale’s journey reveals a leader who understands that growth is fueled not by comfort, but by embracing complexity and choosing to move forward anyway. She speaks openly about navigating visibility, overcoming limiting assumptions, and learning to trust the distinct value she brings to every room. Hale emphasizes that excellence requires intentional renewal, stepping back to reflect, recalibrate, and realign with purpose so that each decision is made with clarity rather than pressure. Her message encourages leaders to cultivate courage through preparation, to remain intellectually curious, and to champion others with the same conviction that mentors once championed them. Ultimately, her story is a powerful reminder that leadership is a continuum of learning, self-belief, and service, and that the most enduring influence comes not from personal advancement, but from expanding what is possible for those who follow.

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