President and CEO, Robinson Hill, Inc.

A visionary entrepreneur, analytical thinker and innovative leader, Dee M. Robinson understands the importance of acquiring new skills to excel in the corporate world. She is committed to help fellow professionals achieve their goals and make a positive impact by taking advantage of educational opportunities such as upskilling programs.

Dee has been president and CEO of Robinson Hill, Inc. since she founded the food & beverage and retail concessions management company in 1995. Under her strategic direction, Robinson Hill grew to over 500 employees while scaling operations in travel and tourism hubs from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Washington Reagan National Airport. She spearheaded joint ventures and partnerships for more than 60 airport restaurants and retail stores, teaming with iconic brands such as Hudson Group, Ben & Jerry’s, Frontera Grill and Potbelly Sandwich Works.

Dee’s work experience prior to starting Robinson Hill includes roles at Leo Burnett and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products. Throughout her career, she has cultivated her ability to generate sustainable revenue growth by supporting new businesses and products, improving processes and inspiring the best from employees. She has authored several books, including “Courage by Design: Ten Commandments +1 for Moving Past Fear to Joy, Fulfillment and Purpose” (SoundWisdom).

Dee is highly active on numerous boards, serving as a board director for Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp, Accel Entertainment and Wintrust Bank as well as a board member for C200 and PGA REACH. For her many contributions to both businesses and civic organizations, Dee received the 2021 Fellowship Open National Civic Leadership Award and 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 among the Top 100 Women of Influence.

Dee earned her Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management Policy at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and completed an executive education program from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Building a High-Performing Business.

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