Divya Paramesh, vice president, human resources at Host Hotels & Resorts (Nasdaq: HST), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITwise: 2026 Educational Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 24-26.
Paramesh emphasized that strong talent strategy—particularly leadership development and succession planning—is directly tied to long-term REIT performance.
“It creates that leadership continuity…and the ability to execute consistently over time,” she said, noting that effective decision-making, asset performance, and risk management all depend on having the right leaders in place at the right time.
At Host, this approach includes regular talent reviews with senior leadership and a deliberate focus on building a pipeline across the organization. That pipeline begins early, Paramesh said. Programs like the company’s “Rising Stars” initiative identify high-potential employees and invest in their development from the start of their careers.
Looking ahead, Paramesh highlighted three critical skill areas for REITs: AI fluency, strategic decision-making, and change leadership. While AI can accelerate access to information, she stressed the importance of what she called “AI wisdom,” or the ability to apply that data effectively in capital allocation and portfolio decisions.
She also underscored the importance of exposing younger talent to the breadth of opportunities within the REIT industry and creating intentional development experiences.
“People are looking for learning, growth, and purpose,” Paramesh said, adding that organizations that deliver on those priorities will be best positioned to attract and retain the next generation of leaders.