DCL At Sea Lillian and Desiree Support Crew Through Intentional Leadership
Behind every magical moment is a crew member, and behind every crew member is a human resources manager supporting and recognizing them for the happiness they create for the guests! At Disney Cruise Line, HR professionals onboard serve as the anchor of their teams by being a constant resource and mentor. Leadership is no easy feat, but when you have a community of passionate crew members to develop, it becomes an exciting journey where you can create a positive environment where diverse voices can shine and be heard.
We recently spoke with Lillian and Desiree who shared details about their career path in the maritime industry and how their role as HR leaders influences the success of their team.
Desiree, Manager of Human Resources
When Desiree began her Disney career as a guest services hostess, she immediately found a sense of belonging. From a young age growing up in the island of Barbados, Desiree dreamed of working in the cruise industry and to have an opportunity to travel the world while developing her professional career. She never imagined that Disney would make that dream a reality.
“Disney Cruise Line came to Barbados in 2006 for a job fair, and the rest is history! I have visited some many wonderful cities around the world, and the friendships I’ve made with my fellow crew are so special; our bond cannot be described,” Desiree said. Seventeen years later, she continues to live out her dream and is now making a difference in the lives of the crew members as a manager of human resources.
In her role, Desiree is responsible for operational HR tasks such as crew welfare and upholding company policies and procedures. However, Desiree goes the extra mile to be a reliable partner to her team and the rest of the crew members. She believes in the value of mentorship and fostering an inclusive environment for everyone onboard. “As human resources leaders, we contribute to the experience of our crew from the minute they walk into the ship, through orientation, then by continually developing them throughout their career.”
As an intentional leader, Desiree is focused on building a community where crew feel valued and supported while working at sea. “I take care of my team, and I want to help them unlock their full potential,” she said.
Lillian, Human Resources Manager
Sometimes when Disney calls, your only option is to answer and embark on a career adventure. From living in Canada to becoming a seafarer in the maritime industry, that is exactly what happened to Lillian.
Prior to joining the company, Lillian worked as a learning and development manager which allowed her to discover her talent at developing people professionally. In the spring of 2022, a Disney Cruise Line recruiter reached out to Lillian about an available position which aligned with that talent. Lillian accepted the call and stepped into the human resources manager role onboard.
The unparalleled storytelling that comes with working at Disney is not the only thing she enjoys, but also the possibility to dream beyond measure. “When I joined this team, my perspective of work culture changed. Somehow, we are professionals who get transported into the worlds of fairy tales, heroes, even pirates, and I am happy to be part of the story.”
Crew members maintain the magic across the ship, and that takes a lot of effort. Luckily, Lillian makes herself available for anyone that needs assistance. As a human resources manager, she’s required to partner with multiple departments and act as point of contact for the employee relations teams, but as someone who is people-oriented in nature, being enthusiastic about every part of her work is not difficult. In her role, Lillian is a key partner with the human resources team shoreside to act as the support and advocate for crew members. “I give guidance by communicating standard procedures. As a primary point of contact with employee relations, I liaise to promote harmony and respect onboard,” she said.
Lillian believes that to be a great leader you must lead by example through strong integrity and a passionate spirit. “My goal is try to support any kind of matter or conflict because I want the crew and leaders to know they can always count on me.” Repost from Life At Disney
