Rohanna Doylida
Rohanna Doylida is the Owner and Consultant of The Gluten-Free Consultant, LLC, based in Highwood, Illinois, where she supports individuals and families newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Through her consulting work, she has developed educational guides, programs, and resources that translate complex medical and nutritional information into practical, accessible guidance for everyday living. She is also an Advisory Board Member and Chairperson of Media Connections at the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, where she has contributed since 2011 to advocacy, education, and community outreach efforts within the Celiac community.
Before her work in health advocacy and education, Rohanna spent 10 years performing on Chicago stages, building a career in the theatre that she describes as both her heart and her home. Her path shifted profoundly when her youngest child was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at a time when gluten-free options were extremely limited. In response, she opened a gluten-free bakery despite having no prior experience in baking or business ownership. What began as a personal promise to her son grew into a mission-driven business that helped others regain not only access to safe food, but also a sense of belonging and inclusion at the table. Following the closure of the bakery during the 2008 recession, she navigated a period of reinvention, exploring new directions before discovering a deep passion for early childhood education, which ultimately led her back to school and into a decade-long career in teaching.
Today, Rohanna continues to build on her diverse experiences as an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate, drawing from every chapter of her life to support others in transition and transformation. She is the creator of the Wisdom Bridge method, designed to help women integrate their past experiences into their present identity and future direction rather than starting over. In partnership with Lydia Christensen, she also co-developed the Body Brand Blueprint, a 12-week program that blends somatic work with branding to support personal and professional reinvention. Her work is rooted in the belief that lived experience is not something to leave behind, but a powerful foundation for growth, leadership, and purpose.
• Level 5 Gateway Certification
• Certificates of Cake Decorating
• The Theatre School of DePaul University, (formerly Goodman School of Drama) - BFA, Theatre/Theater
• SAG (Screen Actors Guild)
• Equity
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to reinvention, persistence, and a consistent willingness to learn new skills and adapt as opportunities evolve. I have also been shaped significantly by strong mentors often women who have guided, challenged, and supported me throughout my journey. Equally important has been the cumulative value of diverse life and career experiences, which have broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to navigate change with confidence and purpose.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to leverage their past and lived experiences rather than feeling they need to start over. Every role, challenge, and chapter contributes to their perspective and capabilities, and that history can become a powerful source of credibility and competitive advantage. I encourage them to recognize the value in what they already know, bring it forward with confidence, and use it to differentiate themselves and strengthen their impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being a solo entrepreneur means your self-motivation has to be bottomless. Every day there are challenges - you're your own tech support, creative director, all those different pieces, and there's lots to learn. In November, my best friend died out of the blue, and somehow I still had to work, still had obligations to meet, still had things I wanted to accomplish. When it's just you, everybody says you gotta give yourself a break, but if you don't do it, it doesn't get done. It can be very frustrating, but it's also very exciting. There's so much to learn, and that's exciting.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Safety and support for clients, authenticity, helping women reclaim confidence and credibility, and prioritizing family.
Locations
The Gluten-Free Consultant, LLC
Highwood, IL 60040