Kat Friedman is the founder of Habitats by Kat, a new kind of travel agency and community built for people who love travel and want to explore the industry in a flexible, approachable way. With over a decade of experience across hospitality, real estate, and sales — including global account management at Marriott — Kat launched Habitats by Kat in 2019 to create a more accessible path into the travel industry.

After starting the business just months before the global pandemic, Kat navigated the challenges of the travel industry while continuing to grow the company 100% self-funded from the ground up. Her vision was simple: remove the friction often found in traditional travel agencies and create a space where members can easily access travel partners, training, and a supportive community.

Today, Kat leads Habitats by Kat with a focus on community, entrepreneurship, and accessibility, helping travel lovers explore opportunities in the travel industry — whether as a hobby, side hustle, or