Rebecca “Becca” Lewandowski lives in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, with her husband and two nearly grown children. For more than 25 years, she has worked as a cooking teacher, combining her passions for travel, food, and culture. She founded Chicago Food Walks, a culinary tour company that introduced visitors to Chicago’s diverse immigrant neighborhoods, which she operated until 2024. Her current venture focuses on olive oil education, appreciation, and guided tastings.
Becca is deeply committed to philanthropy that advances opportunity, dignity, and justice for women, refugees, and underserved communities. She previously served on the board of GirlForward, a Chicago- and Austin-based nonprofit that empowers refugee girls through mentoring, tutoring, and summer enrichment programs. She also supports Connections for the Homeless, Go Farther Foundation, and DEEP, a scholarship program that enables young people to participate in transformative wilderness canoe expeditions in Canada.