Irene Li operates Mei Mei Restaurant in Boston, where her work centers around ethical sourcing and fair employment practices. Along with her team of 25, she practices open book management - a groundbreaking training program that provides transparency in to the business financials. Irene piloted Off Their Plate’s first grocery initiative at the Boston Hope COVID-19 Hospital; she and her team delivered over two tons of groceries to frontline medical workers. She is a six-time James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef semi-finalist, and has advanced on to become a 2020 finalist. Irene is a graduate of The Mountain School, Milton Academy and Cornell University.

Irene serves on the board of several community organizations including the Haley House, Lovin’ Spoonfuls, Project Bread, and CommonWealth Kitchen.