About

Photo credit: Rita Chen

Hi! I’m Rita.

I am a creative, digital-savvy marketing & communications leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and over twenty years of experience transforming iconic brands across a variety of industries (such as 3M, Nestle, DreamWorks, City Winery, and Choose Chicago, to name a few). I am data-driven yet innovative, steadfast yet empathetic, influential yet collaborative.

I have been a team of one (from strategy to execution and everything in between) and have also led large, diverse teams -- always with a passion for solving problems and driving results (not to mention, a healthy dose of home-baked goods). Now, I am embarking on my latest journey: as entrepreneur.

If you’d like to learn more about my work, or more about me, check out the rest of my site!

Check out my experience

  • Pulled off a secret Prince concert at City Winery Chicago. (Tickets sold out in 33 minutes!)

  • Participated in my first grape crush in 2015. (No feet allowed; just very sticky hands.)

  • Hiked 16 days in New Zealand. Voluntarily.

  • Proud CSA member of Angelic Organics Farm for over 8 years.

  • Led a panel discussion for AAPHNI Heritage Month, providing a forum for community leaders to share their personal stories to #stopasianhate.

  • I love to cook and bake (particularly gluten / dairy / grain free -- follow me at @TritaEats #TritaEats)

  • I started Suzuki piano when I was four years old, playing for thirteen years (taking home 2nd place in Illinois State!)

Fun facts about Rita

Little Rita and Chicago skyline

Instagram

View fullsize Lunch today is tuna salad on avocado 🥑 + tomato cucumber salad with red onion, red wine vinegar and Kalamata olives. Dessert = berries! Let’s eat! #tritaeats #glutenfree #dairyfree #protein
View fullsize Tonight’s dinner is carne asada with veggies. I have enough food for a family of 4 🤣 but it’s just me on this Mother’s Day since my mom is traveling. Should I make tacos with the leftovers? #tritaeats #carneasada #glutenfree #homec
View fullsize Saturday morning scramble. Three eggs, onion, spinach, prosciutto. See pics in reverse from plating to pan. #glutenfree #dairyfree #tritaeats #vitalfarmseggs #bonappetit #breakfast #breakfastofchampions
View fullsize Don’t throw away the bones! Part 2 of my roasted chicken is using the carcass to make bone broth! I followed @minimalistbaker recipe and it was perfection! I added 12c water and 2 TBS ACV, simmered for 10-ish hrs and I got these 2 large jars of

Testimonials

  • "Rita was a valuable addition to our team at BarkleyOKRP. She integrated seamlessly into the agency during a time of need and supported us on two key projects for a tourism client: audience segmentation and international marketing. She was able to work in the strategy and account sides within the agency. Her calm and measured presence on the team was appreciated. It was a joy partnering with her and we highly recommend her for your marketing needs."

    Nick Paul
    President, BarkleyOKRP
    Former Client of Rita Chen Consulting

  • "Rita is a trusted marketing partner to Chicago's First Lady Cruises. She has expertly identified and secured key partnerships that connect us to the vibrant happenings in Chicago. Beyond supporting our leisure tour product, Rita has also secured valuable advertising opportunities with leading meeting and event planner organizations to promote our private events and charter business. This year, her efforts have been crucial as we focus on IPW, which will be held in Chicago in 2025. We appreciate Rita's resourcefulness, transparency, and deep knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry. "

    Brie Agra
    President, Chicago’s First Lady Cruises
    Client of Rita Chen Consulting

  • “Rita was instrumental in Chicago's remarkable achievement of being named the Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for seven consecutive years (2017–2023). She revitalized a previously narrow and limited brand into an award-winning image-rich brand with sophistication and variety but more importantly, strategically targeted. This resulted in record occupancy and average daily rate performance. Rita's leadership and mentorship cultivated a talented team, and she managed complex city and state politics with grace. These experiences have enriched her wisdom and paved the way for her entrepreneurial journey, where she now helps transform organizations with her passion for marketing grounded in research and engagement.”

    David Whitaker
    President & CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
    Managed Rita at Choose Chicago 2016 - 2021

  • “Rita Chen is a consummate marketer. Strategy and planning are particular strengths. Rita is an agile marketer as well. She has been able to transfer her skills into a variety of arenas with great success. Rita is equally adept at getting things done and with great attention to detail. She embraces technology and leverages it to provide greater impact which is so critical to being a modern marketer. Rita is creative, resourceful and not afraid of the un-navigated.”

    Adrienne Nazon
    Vice President External Relations and Communications, University of Illinois System
    Managed Rita at University of Chicago Booth School of Business 2010 - 2012