Deidre Mathis is a hotelier, author, and world traveler. She created Wanderstay Hospitality Group, a hybrid hospitality brand in 2018. The first location, Wanderstay Houston Hostel, opened summer 2018 in Houston, Texas and offers themed private and shared accommodations. The 2nd location, a boutique hotel, will open early 2023. Mathis is the first Black woman to own a hostel in the United States. Mathis is also the Director for the Wander Abroad Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides passports and short-term study abroad programs to college students. (www.WanderAbroad.org)

Having traveled to over 46 countries on all 7 continents, she fell in love with the instant community and cultural diversity boutique accommodations provided. She wanted to bring that same experience stateside, and thus the concept for Wanderstay was born.