Were you ever that sixth grader standing in the cafeteria unsure where to sit, self-consciously holding your tray, looking around for a friendly face? Saya was. And too often that friendly face never materialized. It was a lonely, devastating feeling that she felt repeatedly. Now as a forty-something far removed from the literal cafeteria, she witnesses adults waiting for the “Oh thank god" wave over — Saya decided to become the wave.

Called “Accessible Oprah,” Saya is an Evanston, Illinois native, Montessori and Boston College graduate, and Chicago resident. She’s been blissfully WFH and self-employed since 2004 via her lifestyle business Mac & Cheese Productions℠. Mac & Cheese creates spaces that build connection: to others, to opportunities, to self. From in-person events to online experiences to physical products to 1 on 1 services to resources, Mac & Cheese offers individuals and groups avenues to growth, fulfillment, & community.