TEJAL PATEL, founder of Neem Tree Hospitality, embodies the perfect fusion of family tradition and forward-thinking leadership in the hospitality industry.
"I was always drawn to creating spaces where people felt welcomed and cared for. It's something I observed and valued deeply from my family's business ventures," she tells the Women of Color Power List 2025.
Her journey began with her immigrant family's legacy. Her grandparents moved from India to England, later relocating to America in the late 1970s, with her father following in the 1980s.
"In England, my grandpa worked in a factory that made truck parts, and my grandmother worked in a ruler-making factory. When my mother was 15, she and my grandparents came to America," she says.
Her hospitality roots run deep. "I've grown up in hotels, and I think hospitality has so much warmth inside. And I think there's a little bit of a cultural thing to it, too, because Indians are very hospitable. Whenever someone comes to our home, we say the guest is like God," Tejal says.
After graduating from the University of Houston's Conrad Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, Tejal served as the Women Hoteliers Director for the Western Division of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), where she launched a mentorship program for women hoteliers.
"Seeing the growth and confidence in these women has been incredibly rewarding," she says. "It's about giving them the tools and support they need to succeed."
She acknowledges the challenges faced as a woman of color in the industry. "There definitely are gender biases, and it's not really just particular to the hospitality industry. I think it's almost everywhere," she notes.
Now focusing on Neem Tree Hospitality, Tejal has ambitious plans. "Our goal is to set new standards in the industry by focusing on sustainability and community engagement," she says.
In a full-circle moment, Tejal and her husband live and work at their 30-room Scottish Inn in Houston. "I always try to romanticize the American Dream because this is how my parents started, and this is how my husband and I are starting. So it's fun," she says.
Her commitment to education recently led to a significant appointment. In February 2025, Tejal joined the Board of the Hospitality Educators Association of Texas (HEAT).
"As someone deeply passionate about hospitality education, I believe that empowering educators and students is key to building a thriving and dynamic industry. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to HEAT's mission," she shared.
Looking ahead, Tejal remains optimistic about creating a more equitable industry. "Total equality is an ongoing journey, but I believe it's achievable. We'll know we've succeeded when diversity is no longer a talking point, but a given."
