Emerging Leaders Class of 2018
The Emerging Leaders, a highly competitive cohort of Chicago’s up-and-coming professionals, spend their time examining key issues that affect the world and impact the global city of Chicago. Meet the class of 2018.
Emerging Leaders at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs become part of a network of globally fluent leaders who will continue to raise the bar for Chicago as a leading global city.
Class of 2018
Director, US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Previously, Amrith Kaur Aakre was the legal director of the Sikh Coalition, where she coordinated legal and policy initiatives to protect the civil rights of all Americans, create community empowerment, and continue efforts to engage communities for positive opportunities. Aakre was part of a group of student activists at George Washington University who cofounded the Sikh Coalition after 9/11.
Principal, Sullivan High School
Chad Adams, principal of Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, has dramatically transformed the lowest-performing high school on the north side of Chicago into a flourishing neighborhood high school. Sullivan had been on academic probation for 13 years when Adams took over in July of 2013. The school is now a level 2+ school on the verge of level 1, the highest level in Chicago.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Girl Security
Lauren Bean Buitta is founder and CEO of Girl Security, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization closing the gender gap in national security through learning, training, and mentoring support.
General Counsel, The Diocese of Rockford
Before joining the Diocese of Rockford, Ryan Blackney was an associate in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group and the Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Group, and was a member of the Fraud and Internal Investigations Team at Freeborn and Peters LLP. He specializes in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, especially commercial fraud and fraudulent transfers.
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Arbor Lodging Partners
In his current role, Vamsi Bonthala leads all corporate efforts at Arbor Lodging Partners, including investor relations, strategic relationships, acquisitions, dispositions, and asset management. He's also the principal of Arbor Lodging Management, the management affiliate of Arbor Lodging Partners, recently named one of the nation’s top hotel companies by Hotel Management magazine.
Managing Director, S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace
Before his role at the S. Daniel Abraham Center, Joel Braunold was the executive director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace. He works regularly with the US State Department, USAID, the National Security Council, and Congress on the needs of the peacebuilding community. Outside the US, he has worked with national governments and multilateral institutions across Europe and the Middle East.
Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Chad Doobay is a partner in the government and public finance practice group of the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, where he advises governmental entities and nonprofit organizations on financing projects that benefit the public good. Doobay works with hospitals, schools, museums, cultural institutions, and other nonprofit organizations to help them grow and advance their respective missions.
Founder, SUM
In his former role as vice president at the Metropolitan Planning Council, Josh Ellis directed many of MPC’s urban and regional planning initiatives, most notably through Great Rivers Chicago, Transform Illinois, Stormwater Management, and Water Supply Management.
Global Chief Financial Officer, Angeles Investors
Rodrigo Garcia is previously the chief investment officer and chief financial officer for the Illinois State Treasury under State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. He directed the treasury’s combined $25B fixed income, equity, and venture capital portfolios; multiple asset classes; and $300B in related banking and financial services in order to bolster the Illinois macro and micro-economy.
AVP for External Affairs, Illinois Institute of Technology
A proud native of Chicago’s South Side, Adrienne Irmer has been a passionate champion of social causes for over 16 years. Her professional work has crossed all sectors, including electoral campaign work at all levels of government. Irmer previously served on the legislative staff of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and with the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management.
Director of Development, Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago
Tim Jones is an 11-year veteran of organizational leadership, community outreach, and project management, with extensive experience leading nonprofit enterprises. Jones’ tenure at Willow Chicago, a multicultural church in downtown Chicago, consisted of roles in project management, program management, budget process, volunteer/database management, and fundraising.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, My Reality Cubed
Shermin Kruse is also a TEDx speaker; an accomplished negotiator, facilitator, and mediator; the author of the critically acclaimed, best-selling novel Butterfly Stitching; a contributor to the Huffington Post; a director of the ACLU of Illinois; cofounder and director of Pasfarda Arts and Culture Exchange; a director of Heshima Kenya; and a mother of four.
Chief Executive Officer, Cain Millwork Inc.
Daniel Levin is the CEO of Cain Millwork Inc, a manufacturer of custom architectural millwork. Cain Millwork is a privately held, family-owned company with over 75 employees and an annual turnover greater than $20 million. Cain works regularly with 11 of the top 15 general contractors in Chicago and has a portfolio of high-profile work nationwide.
Gastroenterologist, Mount Sinai Hospital
At Mount Sinai Hospital Benjamin Levy serves as the head of gastroenterology education for residents and medical students from several international medical schools. He founded a gastroenterology clinic for refugees resettling in Chicago, and also serves on the American College of Gastroenterology's Patient Care Committee where he is organizing a colon cancer screening campaign.
Chief of Staff, Business Roundtable
Previously, Rebecca Neale Hampson was a senior advisor to the Paulson Institute’s chairman, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, on his efforts to strengthen the US-China relationship. She also oversaw Paulson’s strategic priorities and special projects and served as a chief advisor on his initiatives to tackle US economic challenges and global environmental protection.
Partner, Jenner & Block
A former federal prosecutor, Shoba Pillay is a partner at Jenner & Block where she leverages her technical skills and depth of understanding on global issues and risk to provide guidance to clients across a range of sizes and sectors.
Creative Lead, Takeda
Rebekah Raleigh was previously the executive producer of visual media at Rotary International, where she led creative and narrative development for video, stills, and interactive graphics. Her team created content that has been picked up by major international media, as well as shared across social channels from the US Olympic Committee to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Associate Director of Outreach and Engagement, Pandemic Response Accountability Committee
Lisa Reijula designs and implements strategic programs to help businesses overcome barriers to export, such as grants to offset financial risk, an intensive strategic plan development cohort, and pitch competitions for small businesses.
Chief of Staff, Office of the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs
Stephanie Sutton is currently the chief of staff at the Office of the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs. Previously, she was chief of staff in the Chicago office of Edelman, a leading global communications and marketing firm. She also served in the Obama administration as chief of staff of the Bureau of International Information Programs at the US Department of State.
Senior Venture Director, Rippleworks Foundation
Nitida Wongthipkongka is a social impact strategist and believes there is a significant role for the private sector to play in improving the quality of lives around the world. She works in the field of social enterprise, which is the utilization of market-based principles while creating social impact.
Educator and Author
Kristin Ziemke is an educator and the author of Amplify: Digital Teaching and Learning in the K-6 Classroom. Since establishing her own consulting company in 2011, Ziemke has worked with schools around the world to develop learning experiences that redefine school. Recognized as an international expert, she leads teams to develop curriculum that is student-centered, personalized, and authentic.