Born in Mississippi and reborn in New Orleans, Mardijong CEO and creator Kalee Rongey traded magnolias for Mardi Gras beads when she moved to the Crescent City in 2004. She fell fast and hard for NOLA’s energy — the art, the food, the people who treat strangers like family — it was love at first second line.

Just a year later, Hurricane Katrina hit. In the middle of heartbreak and chaos, Kalee saw something unforgettable: the fierce resilience and heart of New Orleans. That unshakable spirit became part of her DNA. Twenty-one years later, she proudly calls The Big Easy her forever home — beads, brass bands, and all.

Kalee’s love affair with Mahjong began when a friend handed her a set two years ago. Determined to learn, she recruited her mother-in-law’s friend (a Mahjong pro) to come over and teach her crew. One night, one lesson, and one too many snacks later, she was hooked. The mix of strategy, laughter, and community hit all her favorite notes. Since then, her kitchen table has basically become NOLA’s unofficial Mahjong HQ — where friends, neighbors, and even the occasional kid crash a game.

As Kalee likes to say, “Mahjong connects people. It brings laughter, clears that mommy brain fog, and gives everyone a reason to sit, stay, and play.”

Fast forward to today: Kalee is now a licensed Mahjong instructor and the proud founder of Mardijong, a Mahjong brand inspired by New Orleans’ spirit of connection, celebration, and color. Her debut design, The Mambo Set, launches just in time for Mardi Gras — because why not mix mahjong with a little bit of mambo?

When she’s not teaching tiles or building her brand, Kalee and her husband Josh are raising their three kids — Cooper, Olivia, and Kendall — in a home that’s equal parts chaos and charm. Their “open door, open table” policy means there’s always room for one more plate, one more laugh, and one more round of Mahjong.

Beyond the bayou, Kalee’s heart stretches all the way to southern Africa, where she’s traveled twice with her family on mission trips. Between her love for New Orleans and her passion for connecting with people around the world, one thing’s for sure — Kalee’s game is joy, and she’s all in.