Jocelyn Washington is the Founder of the Gratitude Movement, a global initiative dedicated to building a culture of appreciation throughout the hospitality industry. With more than fifteen years of experience in hospitality sales, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and business innovation, she has dedicated her career to helping people and organizations reach their highest potential.
Her professional journey began with a passion for public service and leadership. While pursuing her education in Political Science, Jocelyn served as a Criminal Investigator with the Public Defender’s Association, where she assisted attorneys with criminal investigations, case preparation, witness interviews, and research. This experience strengthened her commitment to integrity, fairness, and advocacy.
She later completed an internship at the Law Offices of William H. Gates Sr., gaining valuable exposure to the legal profession, professional ethics, and executive business practices. These early experiences helped shape the disciplined leadership approach that continues to influence her work today.
In 2002, Jocelyn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington. That same year, she was honored with the title of Miss Seattle (2002–2003), using her platform to promote leadership, confidence, community service, and personal development throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Driven by a passion for empowering others, Jocelyn founded the CAP Institute (Confidence, Attitude & Poise), an etiquette and social graces academy that operated from 2000 to 2002. Through workshops and coaching, she inspired young professionals to develop the confidence, communication skills, and professionalism needed for success under the guiding philosophy:
“Dream It. Believe It. Achieve It.”
Over the next fifteen years, Jocelyn built an extensive career in hospitality sales, working closely with hotels, tourism professionals, and hospitality leaders. Through these experiences, she gained a deep appreciation for the extraordinary people whose dedication creates unforgettable guest experiences every day.
It was during those years that she recognized a powerful opportunity: while hotels invest significantly in guest satisfaction, there was no global platform dedicated solely to recognizing the hospitality professionals who make exceptional service possible. That realization became the foundation of the Gratitude Movement.
Today, Jocelyn is leading a global initiative designed to inspire a culture of appreciation throughout the hospitality industry—one where recognition becomes an integral part of the guest experience and hospitality professionals feel genuinely seen, valued, and celebrated for the difference they make every day.
Her vision extends beyond any one business. It is to unite destinations, hospitality organizations, and communities around a shared belief that appreciation strengthens employee engagement, elevates guest experiences, and creates more meaningful workplaces around the world.