Dianne Rose

Dianna Rose is a devoted child of God, mother, visionary entrepreneur, and community cultivator. She balances her personal life as an all-the-time, around-the-clock Boy Mom to two perfect children, Chae and Seth, while leading as the Chief Executive Officer of Jars of Delight, a pioneering zero-waste catering company that crafts beautifully hand-made cuisine in glass mason jars.

Jars of Delight’s mission revolves around environmental sustainability and community impact, with a focus on education around zero-waste food and packaging. Without spending a dollar on traditional marketing, Jars of Delight has served over 100,000 clients across the New York Metropolitan area through corporate catering and government contracts, proving that impact and innovation can transcend financial limitations. Dianna’s path to this remarkable success is rooted in her upbringing. Raised by entrepreneurial parents in Jamaica, Queens, who moved from Jamaica in the 1980s, Dianna learned the importance of community, resourcefulness, and self-reliance from a young age. Her childhood in Southeast Queens instilled in her the spirit of collaboration and resilience, which continues to guide her work today. Her early exposure to sustainability practices in her Caribbean household—where nothing was wasted, and everything was reused—laid the groundwork for her current ventures in environmental responsibility.

Her nonprofit, Community Health & Economic Corporation (CHAE Corp), further amplifies her commitment to building sustainable, equitable communities. Through initiatives like Sovereign Farmers Markets, opened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is Southeast Queens’ first Black Woman-owned farmers marketin partnership with the MTA/Long Island Railroad. Dedicated to bringing food sovereignty and fresh, quality produce to a community historically deprived of such resources.

CHAE Corp’s second initiative launched in 2021, The Essential Kitchen Co., a 6,500 square-foot shared kitchen accelerator and lab for food entrepreneurs in Southeast Queens, Dianna is ensuring that local businesses, culinary professionals, and community-based organizations have the resources they need to thrive. Essential Kitchen is the first of its kind in the area, reinforcing her dedication to creating opportunities in underinvested neighborhoods.

Dianna’s impact extends into the aviation industry, where her firm Dianna Rose & Associates was selected as the Program Coordinator for the Institute of Concessions at JFK Airport in 2022. In this role, she oversees the development and execution of a groundbreaking initiative designed to create long-term opportunities for minority-owned businesses in one of the nation’s busiest airports.

Dianna Rose’s work has garnered significant recognition, including being awarded the prestigious David Prize in 2022 for her efforts in fostering sustainable local economies. With a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, social equity, and community empowerment, Dianna’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership. Whether through her zero-waste catering company, her advocacy for local businesses, or her role in public service, Dianna remains dedicated to making a lasting difference in her community and beyond.