Jamilyn Salonga Bailey is General Manager and co-owner of Kaya, a 2024 James Beard Foundation Nominee for Best New Restaurant & recipient of Florida’s first-ever Michelin Green Star, located in Orlando’s vibrant Mills 50 district.

While she hasn’t always been in the restaurant industry, she has always been in the business of hospitality by creating space for folks to feel seen, loved and cared for. As a facilitator and culture architect for over 20 years, Jami finds great joy and great responsibility in bringing people together to connect – whether by sharing stories over a meal, grappling with complex challenges, or anything in between.

After thirteen years as a leader in national youth development organizations, she started a consulting practice in 2016 work with leaders, teams and organizations re-imagine the ways they work so that they are in closer alignment with their values and visions. She’s worked with organizations including The Posse Foundation, The KIPP Foundation, Color of Change, The Pahara Institute, and The Education for Liberation Network. She continues to train non-profit leaders across the country build and develop effective teams through The Management Center and serves on the Board of Directors for The Kitchen House.