Helena Killingsworth is Head of Operations Support Services at IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she oversees a multinational team responsible for supporting IHG’s hotels with crisis and incident response, sales and operational support designed to help hotels drive performance. She passionately advocates for the LGBTQ+ community as a member of the leadership team for IHG’s Out and Open employee resource group. Helena creates safe spaces for open discussions, fostering understanding and acceptance, and volunteers with organizations supporting LGBTQ+ causes such as Aids Walk Atlanta and Chris 180. As a people leader, she actively cultivates an inclusive environment and promotes authenticity within her teams by role modeling IHG’s growth behaviors: dedicated, committed, ambitious and courageous. Her upbringing in the foster system deeply informs her allyship and motivates her to provide opportunities for open dialogue, vulnerability and connection, and always coming from a place of empathy and serving as an ally.
