When Being Underestimated Is a Good Thing: Stacey Brown, First Hospitality

Stacey Brown originally planned for a career in sports medicine, but after struggling through a kinesiology course in college, she put that idea on the sidelines. Instead, Stacey switched to pre-law after some encouragement from her mother, followed by law school. After some time as a litigator, she went to work for the Teamsters labor union. Building on that experience Stacey then took human resources roles at a variety of large corporations that valued her expertise in labor relations and employment law. Less than a year ago Stacey joined First Hospitality, a Chicago-based hotel development and management company, as the Chief Human Resources Officer.

On her experience as a Black Women resing through the ranks

You will frequently be underestimated because you are a woman. This was incredibly frustrating in the early years of my career. I would be overlooked, ignored, and condescended to. I complained about this treatment to my then manager John Danish, who is a white male. He advised me to "let them underestimate you. They will under-prepare, and you will crush them with your skills." This proved to be outstanding advice. I would take particular pleasure in winning jury trials against male lawyers with decades more experience. Let them underestimate you. Be sure to smile and shake their hand as you pass them by.

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