Developing an Ethical Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy Using Data and Legal Advancements

Ama Romaine is a General Counsel and seasoned executive who brings a wealth of diverse, global legal and commercial experience that spans a broad range of industries. A Canadian native of Trinidad and Tobago, Ama is a dynamic and collaborative leader who has worked in a number of industries including hospitality, science and engineering research, financial services and energy and she has represented companies in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

In July 2018, Ama was named General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of G6 Hospitality LLC, the parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the U.S. and Canada. She will also serve on the company's Executive Committee. Prior to joining G6, Ama was General Counsel for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, where she was responsible for the Lab's Risk Management, Compliance, Ethics and Equal Employment offices. Previously she spent a decade in the hospitality industry and served as the Vice President & Senior Counsel for Brands at Hilton Worldwide. As a member of several leadership teams at Hilton, she played a pivotal role in many of Hilton's most important strategic initiatives. Prior to Hilton, Ama was responsible for all commercial contracting at Choice Hotels and ensuring compliance with brand standards and lender negotiations. Earlier in her career, she practiced law at top-ranked law firms in the United States and Trinidad, including White & Case and M. Hamel Smith & Company.

Ama graduated with a BA in Humanities with Honors from York University, Toronto and obtained a J.D. cum laude from Howard University School of Law. A member of the bar in both New York and D.C., Ama has served on boards for the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia and the Women’s Bar Association Foundation. Ama was also a member of the working group for the 2010 WBA Initiative: Navigating the Corporate Matrix and she is currently a member of the D.C. advisory council of the Tahirih Justice Institute, a national nonprofit that provides legal and educational services to protect female immigrants fleeing violence.

In her role as President, Kimberly Taylor oversees JAMS operations in the United States and abroad. Working directly with the CEO, and leading a team that spans more than 28 Resolution Centers across North America, Taylor is responsible for the company’s day-to-day operating activities. She also provides operational and strategic leadership for international expansion efforts. In addition to overseeing JAMS operations, Taylor works with the General Counsel to manage the overall risk of the company, advising management and the Board with respect to transactions and negotiations. She works with the CEO to lead corporate strategic initiatives and participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs.

Taylor serves as a key lawyer and legal advisor on all major business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures and joint ventures, coordinating with CFO and outside counsel to negotiate, draft and implement a wide variety of complex, multi-party agreements.

Taylor has been a key contributor to JAMS since she joined the organization in 1999. She previously served as Vice President of the East/Central Region, where she oversaw unprecedented growth and expansion efforts, led panelist recruitment and directed business development, strategic planning and daily management of Resolution Centers in the region. As Associate General Counsel, and an expert on arbitration processes, she developed and oversaw training of staff and neutrals and served on the JAMS National Arbitration Committee. She is a frequent writer, lecturer and speaker, and has developed ADR programs for business and government agencies. Taylor serves as Co-Chair on the Board of the International Mediation Institute.

Prior to joining JAMS, Taylor practiced law in Ventura County, California. She earned her J.D. from Ventura College of Law, where she later served as an adjunct professor. She is a member of the California State Bar.

Kirsten Hotchkiss is Vice President, Global Employee Relations and Employment Counsel for GBT US, LLC, dba American Express Global Business Travel, a business travel management company with over 12,000 employees. A practicing attorney for over 30 years, Ms. Hotchkiss has extensive experience in helping employers manage the complex array of employment laws, investigating and responding to employee concerns, and defending and resolving claims brought against them.

As in-house counsel, Ms. Hotchkiss has always focused her attention on finding new and creative ways to avoid litigation, manage employee concerns, and maintain harmony in the workplace. She has counseled and trained hundreds of supervisors on employment legal issues. In addition, she provides advice and guidance on the development of new policies and programs designed to improve the employee experience.

Throughout her career, she has been active in both bar association and civic activities within her community. Currently, she serves on the Board of Historic Mitchelville, the first town of formerly enslaved people in the United States.

Ms. Hotchkiss is a qualified mediator, the owner of an employment law training business, EmLaw Training, and the co-founder of the on-line website for legacy planning, My Life’s Message (www.mylifesmessage.com).