Making a difference and achieving career goals go hand in hand

With nearly 30 years’ experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Helena Jiang is dedicated to her dual roles of Area General Manager for the Jiangsu Cluster and Complex General Manager for InterContinental and Hotel Indigo Wuxi Taihu New City, China.  

Throughout her 10 year career at IHG, Helena has always aimed high, taking on challenges and committing herself to projects which have truly made a difference and helped her to grow into the leader she is today.  

A journey inspired by appreciation for excellence 

“I love working with people and helping them to develop their skills, so when I was younger, I thought a possible career path could be in the early years education sector.

Then while I was studying English at university, I started a summer job at a restaurant. I loved the sense of appreciation and recognition I received from customers for my hard work and I began to seriously consider a career in hospitality. 

After completing my studies, I began my first full-time role in hospitality as a waitress at the Holiday Inn Urumqi - the only international hotel in Xinjiang at the time. This experience laid the foundations for my career and led me to become the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, where I gained deeper insight into international operations.  

I then became a Corporate Executive Trainee, broadening my understanding of hotel operations, reinforcing my commitment to excellence and driving success. As my career flourished, so did my passion for hospitality. It was with this experience and heightened understanding that my interest in the General Manager position grew too. Watching how they lead their teams and create unforgettable guest experiences really inspired me.  

I started my journey at IHG in 2014 as the General Manager at Crowne Plaza Nanjing. Then in 2016, I took on the exciting challenge of pre-opening HUALUXE Wuxi Taihu, where I also acted as a brand ambassador - it was an invaluable learning experience.  

In 2020, I began my role as Area General Manager for the Jiangsu Cluster, overseeing 15 hotels and five different brands. As well as this, I’m also the Complex General Manager for InterContinental and Hotel Indigo Wuxi Taihu New City, which is a huge honor.” 

A focus on diversity, equity and inclusion 

“IHG is truly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion - as embodied by its ‘Room to Belong’ initiative - and we’ve launched some fantastic projects to create a more inclusive workplace.  

One example I’m really proud of is our partnership with Wuxi Special Education School, which has been in progress for five years. It began because we wanted to create more opportunities for young people starting out in their career via partnerships with schools in the region.   

We developed programs that offer training and internships for students with hearing and speech impairments, helping integrate successful graduates into our hotels. Right now, 14 hotels in the IHG East China region are part of this initiative.  

After four years, the students can then graduate to a hotel and start their own hospitality career. Each year, there are constantly new starters coming out of this program, which really shows our dedication to creating an equal opportunities workplace and a real sense of belonging for our colleagues.” 

Advocating for female leadership 

“In terms of my own career growth, I’ve also participated in the IHG RISE Program, which focuses on developing female General Managers. It’s been a fantastic experience, combining supportive events and mentorship that helps female leaders navigate their careers. 

The RISE Program is a great example of IHG’s ‘Room to Grow’ ethos in action - it has been a positive step in my journey to becoming a strong female leader and in helping those around me do the same.  

Since being involved in the program, I have continued to advocate for women working in the luxury hospitality industry and helped mentor colleagues that benefit from extra support due to their gender, background, or ethnicity.  

I always try to identify new opportunities for colleagues and I make sure gender equality remains an important topic within the teams I manage. To lead by example, I’m open about my own experiences when discussing challenges within the workplace and encourage those around me to give honest feedback.”  

Prioritising sustainability and community 

“I’m also very passionate about sustainability in hospitality, as it’s about making a positive impact, not just on the environment, but also on our guests, employees and wider communities.  

At the hotels I manage, we’ve rolled out several eco-focused initiatives, including improving energy efficiency and waste reduction, in line with the wider IHG ethos - ‘Room to Make a Difference’.   

One standout project is our partnership with Wuxi Yangshan Orchard. We created the ‘IHG Wuxi Honey Peach Supply Garden’, which provides organic produce for our hotels and supports local farmers. It’s a great way to strengthen community ties, while being environmentally friendly.  

As part of this focus, I’ve also overseen an increased usage of organic and locally sourced produce at our hotels, which all helps to increase food security and sustainable practices throughout the region.” 

Leading teams to achieve lasting success 

IHG’s focus on employee development and sustainability aligns perfectly with my personal values - I have the freedom to innovate and invest in areas I’m passionate about, while being part of a global network of expertise.  

As well as this, the company’s emphasis on work-life balance really helps me perform at my best, while enjoying a fulfilling personal life and I encourage my team to do the same.  

I advocate for flexible schedules and promote IHG’s well-being programs, so my teams can pursue their passions outside of work. This creates a culture that values balance and personal growth. 

Since working for the company, I’ve had the opportunity to lead diverse, talented teams; get involved in initiatives that can spark real change and create extraordinary experiences for our guests.  

My colleagues and I pay attention to every detail to ensure that each visit is unforgettable and truly reflects the unique quality of our luxury brands. IHG has enabled me to achieve all this while feeling truly seen and appreciated every single day I step into work.    

I try to live by the following philosophy: ‘Open your mind and heart, treat people the way they want to be treated, and you’ll constantly achieve more than you can imagine.’”