Marriott Int'l has created a new position - global diversity officer - to spearhead the company's diversity outreach both inside, and outside the United States.

Marriott veteran Jimmie Walton Paschall has been named senior vice president of external affairs and global diversity officer.

In her newly created role, Paschall returns to Marriott after eight years to broaden the footprint of Marriott's award-winning diversity initiatives among the company's workforce, owners and franchisees, suppliers and customers. Paschall will also oversee the company's support of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities and its national "Bridges ... from school to work" program, which trains and links young people with disabilities to productive employment with companies across the country. Paschall will report to Kathleen Matthews, executive vice president of global communications and public affairs.

"We are very pleased to have Jimmie rejoin Marriott to lead the company's diversity efforts," said Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr. "With her charisma, leadership and organizational skills, she is the ideal person to chart new territory and expand the company's vision of inclusiveness."

Paschall will play a primary role working with Marriott's Board of Directors' "Committee for Excellence," which was established in 2003 to set significant diversity objectives and monitor progress. She will also chair a working group of Marriott executives who lead the company's diversity initiatives.

Most recently, Paschall was executive vice president of external affairs at Volunteers of America, Inc., where she developed and implemented a strategic plan to dramatically expand the visibility, stature, and impact of the 111-year old organization.

Other prior assignments include executive positions in human resources and corporate relations with XO Communications, Sodexho and Host Marriott Services Corporation (now HMSHost Corporation). Paschall first launched her career at Marriott as a college student, working as a gift shop attendant, and then advanced through a range of positions in the company's regional operations as well as senior management roles at the company's headquarters.

Paschall is a graduate of Howard University. She serves on the board of Family and Child Services, a D.C.-based human services nonprofit organization. She resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband and two children.

Marriott has received broad recognition for its diversity initiatives, including being named as one of top "40 Best Companies for Diversity" by Black Enterprise, one of the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" by DiversityInc, and one of the "Top 50 Corporations for Supplier Diversity" by Hispanic Trends.

For more information about Marriott's efforts to be diverse and inclusive, visit www.marriott.com/diversity