UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

20232024 PROXY STATEMENT

for Annual Meeting of Stockholders

ESG HIGHLIGHTS

As part of the 2022 update to our ESG strategic framework, we launched more ambitious environmental targets and new social impact goals, including updated emissions reduction targets. Our 2030 Goals align with the global Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and are guided by our evaluation of the social and environmental issues that are critical to the long-term success of our business and our long-term success.business. For more information, see our ESG website (esg.hilton.com).

As climate science has continuedcontinues to evolve, we reevaluated our environmental 2030 Goals and set more ambitious targets in 2022. Hilton was the first major hospitality company to set science-based targets that were validated by the SBTi and to obtain revalidation by the SBTi. In June 2022, the SBTi validatedverified our near-term targets (1.5°C by 2030), which are in alignment with our updated environmental 2030 Goals to cut carbon emissions intensity of our managed hotel portfolio by 75%75 percent and of our franchised hotel portfolio by 56%,56 percent, with 2008 as our baseline. We continue to work toward our 2030 Goal of reducing water and landfilled waste intensity at the hotels we operate, including those that are owned, leased and managed, by 50%,50 percent, with 2008 as our baseline.

We primarily generate carbon emissions from the operation of our hotels. As illustrated by the reductions below, we are making steady progress to achieve our updated 2030 Goals.

ESG GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Our ESG efforts are supported by a robust governance structure, designed to ensure our ESG objectives are an important part of our business and strategic priorities as we work towards our 2030 Goals. Our headEVP of Corporate Affairs oversees Hilton's ESG strategy and reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer, and our EC receives at least quarterly updates on our ESG programs and progress towards our 2030 Goals. The Nominating & ESG Committee, one of the three standing committees of Hilton's Board of Directors, receives quarterly reports on progress towardtowards our 2030 Goals, reviews and assesses our ESG strategy and makes recommendations to the Board and management as appropriate. The Board of Directors also receives annual updates on progress towards our 2030 Goals.

Our efforts are further described in our 20222023 ESG Report, which can be found on the Our Reporting page of our ESG website (esg.hilton.com), prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") Standards, integrating the standards and recommendations of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board ("SASB") and the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD"). Also, see "Part I—Item 1. Business—Environmental, Social and Governance" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.2023.

BOARD MATTERS, DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE DETERMINATIONS

Our Board oversees the management of our business and affairs, as provided by Delaware law, and conducts its business through meetings of the Board and three standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; and the Nominating & ESG Committee. Our Board has a majority of independent directors, and all of our Board’s committees are fully independent.

We have structured our corporate governance in a manner we believe closely aligns our interests with those of our stockholders. In addition to the governance highlights noted above, other features of our corporate governance include:

Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), a director is not independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that they do not have a direct or indirect material relationship with us or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, the director must meet the bright-line tests for independence set forth by the NYSE rules.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines define independence in accordance with the independence definition in the current NYSE corporate governance rules for listed companies. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Board to review the independence of all directors at least annually.

In the event a director has a relationship with the Company that is relevant to their independence and is not addressed by the objective tests set forth in the NYSE independence definition, the Board will determine, considering all relevant facts and circumstances, whether that relationship is material.

Our Board affirmatively determined that each of Ms. Begley, Mr. Carr, Ms. Healey, Mr. Mabus, Ms. McHale, Ms. Smith and Mr. Steenland is independent under the guidelines for director independence set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and under all applicable NYSE guidelines, including with respect to committee membership. Our Board also has determined that each of Ms. Begley, Mr. Mabus and Mr. Steenland is “independent” for purposes of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

In making its independence determinations, the Board considered and reviewed all information known to it (including information identified through annual directors’ questionnaires).

Our Board of Directors is led by Mr. Steenland, our lead independent director, and Mr. Gray, our Non-Executive Chair. The CEO position is separate from the Chair position. Although we believe that the separation of the Chair and CEO positions is appropriate corporate governance for us at this time, our Board believes that the Company and stockholders are best served by maintaining flexibility to determine whether and when the Chair and CEO positions should be separate or combined to provide the appropriate leadership. Responsibilities of our lead independent director include:

The following table summarizes the current membership of each of the Board’s standing committees.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

All members of the Audit Committee have been determined to be “independent,” as defined by our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE listing standards applicable to boards of directors generally and audit committees in particular. Our Board also has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is “financially literate” within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. In addition, our Board has determined that each of Ms. Begley and Mr. Steenland qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined by applicable SEC regulations.

The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter, which may be found at www.ir.hilton.com under Investors: Corporate Governance: Governance Documents: Audit Committee Charter, and include among others:

With respect to our reporting and disclosure matters, the responsibilities and duties of the Audit Committee include reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements prior to inclusion in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other public filings, as applicable, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee plays a key role in the oversight of our risk management policies and procedures. See “Oversight of Risk Management” below.

All members of the Compensation Committee have been determined to be “independent” as defined by our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE listing standards applicable to boards of directors generally, and compensation committees in particular. In addition, all members qualify as “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and as “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) (“Section 162(m)”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).

The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are set forth in its charter, which may be found at www.ir.hilton.com under Investors: Corporate Governance: Governance Documents: Compensation Committee Charter, and include among others:

With respect to our reporting and disclosure matters, the responsibilities and duties of the Compensation Committee include overseeing the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for inclusion in our annual proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The charter of the Compensation Committee permits the committee to delegate any or all of its authority to one or more subcommittees and to delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to make awards to employees other than any Section 16 officer under our incentive compensation or other equity-based plan, subject to compliance with the plan and the laws of our state of jurisdiction.

The Compensation Committee has the authority under its charter to retain outside consultants or advisors, as it deems necessary or advisable. In accordance with this authority, the Compensation Committee has engaged the services of Exequity LLP (“Exequity”) as its independent outside compensation consultant since 2012. All executive compensation services provided by Exequity were conducted under the direction or authority of the Compensation Committee, and all work performed by Exequity was pre-approved by the Compensation Committee. Neither Exequity nor any of its affiliates maintains any other direct or indirect business relationships with us or any of our subsidiaries. The Compensation Committee evaluated whether any work provided by Exequity raised any conflict of interest for services performed during 20222023 and determined that it did not.

As requested by the Compensation Committee, in 2022,2023, Exequity’s services to the Compensation Committee included, among other things, providing perspective on current trends and developments in executive and director compensation, as well as analysis of benchmarking data and confirmation of our peer group composition.

All members of the Nominating & ESG Committee have been determined to be “independent” as defined by our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE listing standards.

OVERSIGHT OF RISK MANAGEMENT

While our senior executives are responsible for day-to-day risk management, the Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight, including, as part of regular Board and committee meetings, general oversight of executives’ management of short-term and long-term risks relevant to the Company. A fundamental part of risk oversight is not only understanding the material risks a company faces and the steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the Board of Directors in reviewing our business strategy is an integral aspect of the Board’s assessment of management’s tolerance for risk and its determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for the Company. The Board oversees and participates in an annual enterprise risk management review.

As stewards of the Company's long-term prospects, the Board also actively engages in succession planning for its members as well as for our most senior executives on an annual basis and more frequently as needed. The Board reviews applicable processes and timelines, pipelines and development for various senior leadership positions.

While the full Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight, it is supported in this function by its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating & ESG Committee. Each of the committees regularly reports to the Board.

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities by periodically reviewing:

The Compensation Committee assists the Board by overseeing and evaluating risks related to the Company’s compensation structure and compensation programs, including the formulation, administration and regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, and coordinating, along with the Board’s Chair, succession planning discussions.

The Nominating & ESG Committee assists the Board by overseeing and evaluating programs and risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, corporate governance, government affairs and ESG programs, including environmental and community impact. In addition, our Board receives periodic detailed operating performance reviews from management, and the Board and its committees receive updates on specific topics or developments that affect the Company overall or a particular aspect of the Company's business. Our Chief Risk Officer updates the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis and the full Board on an annual basis or more frequently as needed.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Executive sessions, which are meetings of the non-employee members of the Board, are regularly scheduled throughout the year. In addition, at least once a year, the independent directors meet in a private session that excludes management. Our lead independent director presides at these sessions.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and NYSE rules, and as a matter of effective corporate governance, the Board and its committees conduct annual self-evaluations. The Nominating & ESG Committee regularly evaluates the self-assessment process to keep current with best practices and refresh the process as necessary. In connection with our most recent self-evaluation, each of our directors completed a written questionnaire and had a one-on-one discussion with the lead independent director. The self-assessment process produces constructive feedback aimed at improving the performance and contribution of the Board, each committee and each director.

COMMITTEE CHARTERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

Our commitment to good corporate governance is reflected in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which describe the Board’s views on a wide range of governance topics. These Corporate Governance Guidelines and committee charters are reviewed from time to time by the Nominating & ESG Committee and, to the extent deemed appropriate in light of emerging practices such as ESG matters, revised accordingly, upon recommendation to and approval by the Board.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Audit, Compensation and Nominating & ESG Committee charters and other corporate governance information are available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section on our website at www.ir.hilton.com. Any stockholder also may request them in print, without charge, by contacting the Office of the Corporate Secretary at Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., 7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, Virginia 22102.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

We maintain a Code of Conduct that is applicable to all of our directors, officers and Team Members, including our Chair, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and other senior financial officers. The Code of Conduct sets forth our policies and expectations on a number of topics, including conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, human rights, use of our assets and business conduct and fair dealing. The Code of Conduct establishes a set of global business principles, with our compliance organization, training, risk management and monitoring activities tailored to address unique risks by geography, business line, function and level. We also have a robust set of compliance policies that address risk areas such as corruption, trade sanctions, insider trading, confidential information, antitrust and escalation of concerns. Our annual training calendar includes mandatory training and supplemental training that is supported by company-wide awareness campaigns highlighting Hilton-specific risks and scenarios. We also use passive communication channels, including electronic bulletin board screens in the employee break room areas of our hotels and internal newsletters, including a publication that highlights real Hilton Compliance Hotline matters and their resolutions. Our legal compliance team administers a third-party risk management program so that we understand the qualifications, reputation and associations of third parties with whom we transact, particularly third parties who interface with government officials and third parties who act in Hilton’s name, such as owners of our hotels.

The Code of Conduct also satisfies the requirements for a code of ethics, as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. We will, if required, disclose within four business days any substantive changes in or waivers of the Code of Conduct granted to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our website as set forth above rather than by filing a Form 8-K. In the case of a waiver for an executive officer or a director, the required disclosure also will be made available on our website within four business days of the date of such waiver.

The Code of Conduct may be found on our website at www.ir.hilton.com under Investors: Corporate Governance: Governance Documents: Code of Conduct.

DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS

The Nominating & ESG Committee weighs the characteristics, experience, independence and skills of potential candidates for election to the Board and recommends nominees for director to the Board for election. In considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating & ESG Committee also assesses the size, composition and combined expertise of the Board. As the application of these factors involves the exercise of judgment, the Nominating & ESG Committee does not have a standard set of fixed qualifications that is applicable to all director candidates. At a minimum, the Nominating & ESG Committee assesses each candidate’s strength of character, judgment, industry knowledge or experience, their ability to work collegially with the other members of the Board and their

In identifying prospective director candidates, the Nominating & ESG Committee may seek referrals from other members of the Board, management, stockholders and other sources, including third-party recommendations. The Nominating & ESG Committee also may, but need not, retain a search firm in order to assist it in identifying candidates to serve as directors of the Company. The Nominating & ESG Committee uses the same criteria for evaluating candidates regardless of the source of the referral or recommendation. When considering director candidates, the Nominating & ESG Committee seeks individuals with backgrounds and qualities that, when combined with those of our incumbent directors, provide a blend of skills and experience to further enhance the Board’s effectiveness.

In connection with its annual recommendation of a slate of nominees, the Nominating & ESG Committee also may assess the contributions of those directors recommended for re-election in the context of the Board evaluation process and other perceived needs of the Board. When considering whether the directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Board focused primarily on the information discussed in each Board member’s biographical information set forth above. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and nature of our business. This process resulted in the Board’s nomination of the incumbent directors named in this proxy statement and proposed for election by you at the upcoming Annual Meeting.

The Nominating & ESG Committee will consider director candidates nominated by stockholders. Our by-laws allow a single stockholder, or group of up to 20 stockholders, owning 3% or more of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years as of the date of nomination to nominate and include in our proxy statement director nominees constituting up to the greater of two individuals and 20% of the number of directors then serving, provided the stockholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in our by-laws, including that notice of a nomination be provided to our Secretary at the address below not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. A non-proxy access director nomination must notify our Secretary in writing not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Any nomination submitted to our Secretary should be in writing, satisfy the requirements contained in our by-laws, and include any necessary supporting material in support of the nomination, but must include information that would be required under the rules of the SEC to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate and a written consent of the candidate to serve as one of our directors if elected. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in reliance on the SEC's universal proxy rule for director nominees submitted under the advance notice requirements of our by-laws must comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19, including delivery of written notice that sets forth all information required by Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act. The address to submit a nomination is: Office of the Corporate Secretary, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., 7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, Virginia 22102. All nominations received by our Secretary that satisfy our by-law requirements relating to director nominations will be presented to the Nominating & ESG Committee for consideration. Stockholders also must satisfy the notification, timeliness, consent and information requirements set forth above and in our by-laws. These requirements also are described under the caption “Stockholder Proposals for the 20242025 Annual Meeting.”

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD

As described in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with a member or members of the Board, including the Chairperson of the Audit, Compensation or Nominating & ESG Committees, or to the non-employee or independent directors as a group, may do so by addressing such communications or concerns to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, 7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, Virginia 22102, who will forward such communication to the appropriate party, except for job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations or advertisements and other inappropriate material. The Office of the Corporate Secretary may forward certain correspondence elsewhere within our Company for review and possible response.

We use a combination of cashcash- and equity-based compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. Our employee directorCEO received no separate compensation for serving on the Board during 2022.2023.

ANNUAL COMPENSATION PROGRAM

All of our directors are reimbursed for reasonable travel and related expenses associated with attendance at Board or committee meetings. In addition, they are eligible to participate in our travel perquisite program, which provides for Company-paid rooms, food and beverage and on-site services for non-employee directors and executive officers, and their accompanying family members, while on personal travel at Company-branded hotels. For additional details on our travel perquisite program, see “Other Benefits and Perquisites” in the CD&A. Non-employee directors who retire from the Board with at least seven years of service are currently eligible for reimbursement for rooms, food and beverage and on-site services at Company-branded hotels for up to 30 nights annually (subject to a specified cap, which is currently $20,000), concierge services, access to our Team Member discount program and lifetime Diamond status in our Hilton Honors guest loyalty program. Currently, there is one former director who is eligible for this retiree benefit and this benefit may be amended or discontinued at any time.

Equity awards are granted to our non-employee directors annually upon his or her election or re-election at our annual meeting of stockholders. The 20222023 annual equity award was $200,000 and delivered in the form of deferred share units (“DSUs”), where the number of DSUs awarded is equal to $200,000 divided by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The equity currently held by our directors was awarded under the Hilton 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”) and, prior to its adoption, the Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Incentive Plan” and, together with the 2017 Incentive Plan, the “Incentive Plans”) and the material terms thereof are outlined in the table below.

STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY

We have a stock ownership policy for our non-employee directors. Each of our non-employee directors is required to own our stock in an amount equal to five times his or her regular annual cash retainer. Each non-employee director currently, based on their holdings of Hilton common stock and fully vested DSUs, satisfies the stock ownership requirement. For purposes of this requirement, a director’s holdings include shares held directly or indirectly, individually or jointly, shares underlying vested options and shares held under a deferral or similar plan. Non-employee directors are expected to meet this ownership requirement within five years from the later of: (1) December 11, 2013 and (2) the date they first become subject to the stock ownership policy.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR 20222023

The table below sets forth information regarding non-employee director compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.2023.

Set forth below is certain information regarding each of our current executive officers as of February 28, 2023,2024, other than Mr. Nassetta, whose biographical information is presented under “Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors in 2023.2024.”

The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y") to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.2024.

Although ratification is not required by our by-laws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the selection of E&Y to our stockholders for ratification because we value our stockholders’ views on the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. If our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, it will be considered as notice to the Board and the Audit Committee to consider the selection of a different firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Representatives of E&Y are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They also will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and they are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The shares represented by your proxy will be voted for the ratification of the selection of E&Y unless you specify otherwise.

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES

In connection with the audit of the 20222023 financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, we entered into an agreement with E&Y, which sets forth the terms by which E&Y will perform audit services for the Company.

The following table presents fees billed for professional services rendered by E&Y for the audit of our financial statements for 20222023 and 20212022 and fees billed in those periods for other services rendered by E&Y:

The Audit Committee considered whether providing the non-audit services shown in this table was compatible with maintaining E&Y’s independence and concluded that it was.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter that is reviewed annually by the Audit Committee. Additionally, a brief description of the primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee is included in this proxy statement under the discussion of “Environmental, Social & Governance—Committee Membership—Audit Committee.” Under the Audit Committee charter, management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the application of accounting and financial reporting principles and our internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing our financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of the Company with management and with the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC. In addition, the Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letters from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm their independence.

Based upon the review and discussions described in the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements of the Company be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022,2023, filed with the SEC.

The text of the resolution in respect of Proposal No. 3 is as follows:

We maintained our historic underlying compensation program for our NEOs in 2022.2023. The key elements of our program and performance measures are summarized below.

Our executive compensation framework provides an overview of how we make pay decisions. Our compensation philosophy guides our compensation program and how we set pay levels after considering the factors outlined below.

The Committee oversees our executive compensation program with the advice of its independent compensation consultant and support from the Company’s management team.