Rohini Dey

Rohini Dey is an award-winning entrepreneur, restaurateur, and global women's advocate whose work bridges business, culture, and philanthropy across the U.S. and India. A former World Bank economist and McKinsey & Company management consultant, Rohini founded Vermilion in Chicago and New York, redefining fine dining through her innovative Indian-Latin cuisine while challenging Eurocentric norms in the culinary world.

A passionate champion for women's leadership, Rohini co-founded the James Beard Foundation Women's Leadership Program and chaired it for a decade, helping advance equity in the hospitality industry. In 2020, she launched Let's Talk Womxn, a national collective that now connects more than 350 women restaurateurs across multiple cities to build community, scale impact, and create opportunity together. Her leadership has been recognized by JP Morgan Chase, the City of Chicago, the American India Foundation, and National Restaurant News, and she regularly appears on major media platforms while mentoring emerging leaders.

Rohini's journey reflects resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. She has consistently challenged systems that marginalize women and people of color while creating pathways for others through mentorship, advocacy, and education. Rohini exemplifies what is possible when cultural identity, courage, and community come together making her a powerful role model for young women of color as they envision their futures and step into their own leadership.

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Loyola Academy

1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-1089 | 847-256-1100

Loyola Academy admits students of any race, color and national origin or ethnic origin.