Member Spotlight: Diondra Checkeye

Organization: Marriott IndyPlace

LinkedIN URL: Diondra Checkeye | LinkedIn

Email: Diondra.checkeye@whitelodging.com

Other than improving your Zoom Meeting skills, what have you learned (or learned to excel in professionally) since COVID-19 began?

I learned to be appreciative for what I have and that I have the strength to work through even the toughest of obstacles thrown my way!

Who are you outside of work?

I am a Mother to 3 year old Boy/Girl Twins, a Wife of 10 years, an avid Orangetheory Fitness goer, I love to escape into other people’s drama via reality TV ( Bravo, Love is Blind, etc.) and I love winding down the day reading a good book in bed!

Name a silver lining in your own work experience since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

I touched on it a little in the first question, but I learned that I really do have the tools to survive even the hardest times. I did not hop back into the Hospitality Industry until January 2022, nearly 2 full years post furlough. I used that time to dive into other passions, such as fitness and worked at Orangetheory. I took my Group Fitness Certification to work my way to become a Coach. The best silver lining of it all however was that I became a Mom to my two beautiful children after years of trying!

What is your proudest professional accomplishment to date?

Honestly, I am so very proud of myself for jumping back IN to Hospitality after Covid. I was nervous, thinking that those previous years of knowledge would not come back to me as quickly. However, after being back, I have a new drive and passion, which has led to achieving some of the highest accomplishments in my career (sales revenues, tough negotiations, diving into harder markets, etc.).

What are some of your favorite things about being an MPI member?

I enjoy the education, the connection and I love seeing everyone’s achievements in April during IMPRESS!

When do you plan to go on your next vacation and where do you want to go?

With toddlers, adult vacations are not in our near future, so I would have to say anywhere I can create core memories for my kids. I love seeing them experience new things. We just took them to the beach for the first time … last week, so I will be thinking of another “first” we can let them experience for our next vacation. Perhaps the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM either this October or next! If we could, I would LOVE to take an adult only vacation to the DR and stay at the Sanctuary Cap Cana.

What is the greatest place you have ever visited?

Disney!

Something people don’t know about you.

I was named after Michael Douglas’s wife “Diandra”. Everyone asks how my parents came up with my name, since my siblings are very standard 80s names… “Dustin” and “Amanda."