Travel can do more than take someone somewhere new – it can expand perspectives, build confidence and open doors to new experiences, opportunities and connections.
Hilton believes that for young people, a first trip or new travel experience can change not only how they see the world, but how they see themselves in it. To open and create opportunities, Hilton and Hilton Global Foundation has joined forces with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA).
This nationwide partnership will provide young people access to mentorship, exposure to career paths in hospitality and transformative travel experiences. It includes immersive career exploration and mentorship experiences for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ youth participants, or Littles, across Hilton properties in the U.S.
Katherine Lugar, executive vice president, corporate affairs, Hilton and president, Hilton Global Foundation, highlighted that they know hospitality is a powerful engine for opportunity; a first step on the career ladder helps open doors to meaningful careers, economic mobility and life-changing success.
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“Through this partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, our team members will help young people see what’s possible through hospitality – connecting them with mentors, real-world career exposure and the tools and travel experiences to build confidence and strengthen their skills – inspiring and expanding their horizons along the way.”
Artis Stevens, president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, pointed out that for 120 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has seen the impact when a positive adult empowers a young person and opens doors they never knew existed.
“Hilton shares our belief that every young person deserves the chance to realize their potential, and through our partnership, we’re meeting them where they are and connecting them to meaningful careers by providing career exposure, skills training and onramps to meaningful employment.”
Hilton Mentoring
Hilton and BBBSA aim to help close that gap by combining the power of mentorship with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose commitment to expand access to career growth opportunities. Over the next year, the partnership will create more than 10,000 mentoring moments across six U.S. markets, helping young people build confidence, see new possibilities and imagine opportunities they may not have thought possible.
The announcement marks the beginning of a scalable model designed to expand nationwide and deepen impact for young people and communities over time. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ participants ages 16-25 will engage in a structured development experience across Hilton properties and corporate locations designed to build mentorship relationships, strengthen professional skills and provide immersive career exposure.
Littles from local middle and high schools will be paired with Hilton team members within six markets in the United States, including Anaheim, Calif.; Atlanta, Ga.; Dallas, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Miami, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.
Grow with Hilton
Moreover, Hilton is leveraging its global scale to help bridge the opportunity divide, serving as the ladder of opportunity for thousands. Since 2022, Hilton has created 3.1 million career development opportunities around the world through nonprofit partners focused on hospitality skill-development and access to careers across the industry.
Through the Hilton Global Foundation and Hilton UK Foundation, Hilton partners with dozens of nonprofit organizations around the world that share a belief in the power of mentorship, career exposure and skill-development to create pathways to meaningful careers in hospitality.
