My name is Maya Ott, and I’m an 18-year-old student at the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in Pre-Business Administration. In the near future I’m hoping to move into hospitality because I love talking to people and creating spaces where everyone feels comfortable. I was born in Ecuador and moved to Greenwich, Connecticut with my mom, which definitely shaped a lot of who I am today. I also have family all over the world which has given me a love of travel and an appreciation of cultures that are not my own.
As a young child my dad owned a bar and a gym, so I grew up around people who really valued community and good experiences. I think that’s a huge part of why I’m drawn to hospitality—I love being around others and building environments that bring people together. I also come from a very educated family, so pursuing school seriously has always been important to me. Because of that influence, I’m planning to continue my education after undergrad and eventually work toward a master’s degree. Outside of classes, I’m really into anything that’s creative, calm, fun, and that lets me connect with different people. Overall, I’m working toward a future where I can mix my background, my interests, and my love of people to create memorable, meaningful experiences for others.