Dee is a leader who leverages strategic and analytical thinking to find innovative solutions that scale businesses. The common thread throughout her career is the ability to drive sustainable growth by integrating a deep understanding of customers, operations and untapped opportunities. She is lauded for creating value and leveraging talent as a strategic asset. Drawing on her varied experience in food & beverage, retail, consumer products, advertising and banking, she founded Robinson Hill in 1995, a concessions management firm specializing in retail and restaurants at airports and other non-traditional venues. She successfully turned concepts into sustainable revenues and led organization from 0 to over 500 people. Dee has scaled operations while forging successful joint ventures and partnerships that now encompass over 60 airport restaurants and retail stores. Brands and partnerships include notable companies such as Hudson Group, Ben & Jerry’s, Frontera Grill, and Potbelly Sandwich Works.
As CEO of Robinson Hill, Inc., she leverages comprehensive go-to-market strategies tailored to key audiences to drive business expansion. She spearheaded multiple capital development efforts to fund growth and penetration. Dee is also known for providing clear leadership and for promoting diversity and a team culture consistent with organizational values. As such, she is recognized as an outstanding operator who drives sales, operational efficiency, innovation and management performance.
Prior to her tenure at Robinson Hill, Dee worked as an Associate Product Director with Johnson & Johnson and subsequently with Leo Burnett. Prior to this, she worked as a commercial loan officer with AmeriTrust Bank and financial analyst with Northern Trust.
As a highly-engaged board member, she is committed to strategic growth, solution-based guidance and value creation. She has been recognized as a HistoryMaker, Chicago United Business Leader of Color, Private Company Director Magazine’s Director to Watch, WomenInc.’s 2019 Most Influential Corporate Director and named Top 100 Women of Influence.
Dee earned an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business Building a High Performing Business Executive Education Program and coursework in Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application at MIT Sloan School of Management.
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Restaurateur/foodie meets and falls in love with Kentucky bourbon. Bourbon has a complex and rich flavor profile that can complement a wide variety of foods. I think my love affair began because I love good food and discovered many meals were enhanced by this amazing spirit Here are some great food pairings for bourbon: BBQ:
By Alice Brooker A version of this article was first published by The Spirits Business. The global Bourbon category is predicted to grow by 5% between 2022 and 2031, according to new research. Allied Market Research’s has released its latest report, titled Global Bourbon Spirits Market by Type (Wheated, Barrel Finished, Barrel Select, and Others), by
"As a faith-full entrepreneur or dreamer in this world, I ask you not to be discouraged by what you see or experience, but to be the change you hope to see in the world, to use your own lives and the ample power of your voice for liberty, love, justice and joy for all. To inspire a movement that is catalyzed and sparked by love.
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You do it by simply speaking up when you see a wrong; engaging in brave, spirited conversations with an open mind, heart and soul; and being willing to, at least, listen. That is what I call having the courage to hear, the courage to act and the courage to do the right thing.
You matter, your voice matters, your actions matter. Believe that the smallest of actions by one can profoundly affect another. We are inherently good. Reach down, deep within, to use your good for the good of others. When we do, the world is changed forever.
Our brand’s mission is about creating exquisite bourbon and instigating brave conversations.
Let’s talk, engage in conversations, and instigate dialogue about the mystery of us. I am certain we will discover we are more alike than different. Shine Your Light!"