dmathis23@nul.org

Deidre Mathis is a hotelier, author, and world traveler, and the first Black woman to own and operate a hostel in the United States. In 2018, she founded Wanderstay Hospitality Group, a million-dollar hybrid hospitality brand, based in Houston. Wanderstay Hospitality Group has a hostel and boutique hotel in its portfolio. Mathis is also director of Wander Abroad Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides passports and short-term study abroad opportunities for underrepresented college students. To date, the organization has provided 19 student scholarship programs and six student passports. Mathis has traveled to more than 46 countries across all 7 continents (including Antarctica), documenting many of her experiences in her book, “ Wanderlust for The Young, Broke Professional.” Mathis is an in-demand keynote speaker on budget traveling, studying abroad, raising funds for startups,  and how to live the life of your dreams.