AT JUST 29, Dhruti Patel displays the vision and daring of a veteran hotelier as vice president of revenue and sales for Alko Hotels. Her innovative approaches have propelled her family's five-property portfolio in Eugene, Oregon to new heights.
In conversation with the Women of Color Power List 2025, Dhruti reflects on how her position enables her to change women's roles in hospitality.
"In our community, what I saw, the Indian women were just housekeepers," she says. "However, the more women I started meeting, I found they have brilliant ideas that people have not thought of before."
Her business helps women escape toxic situations and achieve financial independence, with some rising to top management positions.
Born into hospitality, Dhruti's journey began early. "I was literally born into this industry. My parents bought their first motel in Eugene. It was a property set to be demolished, but my dad bought it and fixed it up."
From sweeping cigarette butts as a child to covering shifts in high school, Dhruti witnessed her family's expanding enterprise. They gradually acquired more properties, including University Inn & Suites, Comfort Suites (opened during the Great Recession), Candlewood Suites, and Fairfield Inn & Suites, eventually founding Alko Hotels in 2017.
Despite initially pursuing pre-med at Oregon State University, Dhruti discovered her passion lay elsewhere. "During this time, I attended many young professional events where my mind just opened towards hospitality. I vividly remember attending a young professional event at Hilton's headquarters and experiencing this epiphany where I realized I love hospitality."
Her risk-taking proved crucial during COVID-19 when she partnered with the county to house homeless people while maintaining staff employment. "I ended up renting the property to the county and we had a successful relationship; we renewed our contract two or three times. And in the contract, I made sure that my staff is retained and gets paid."
Dhruti also champions responsible hospitality, supporting her mother's nationally recognized anti-trafficking training program, BEST.
While platforms like HerOwnership by AAHOA help women break glass ceilings, challenges remain. "When I first started, I was very young and was dealing with people who were double my age, some of whom didn't like to hear me out. I just had to stick up for myself and be my own voice."
Today, Dhruti serves on various committees, working with organizations like the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association while advocating for those without a voice.
