With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
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.
Alongside his father and brother, Amer Abdullah launched the Cedars restaurant in 2001. Shortly thereafter, a fast-casual child of Cedars named Mezza Mediterranean Grill was born, where Abdullah heads the marketing strategy. Beyond business, he is a founding member of the Chicago Community Trust's Pillars Fund, a donor-advised fund that targets a better understanding of Muslim-American culture.
Ikbel Achour is passionate about translating cutting-edge science into patient care. She is the global head of translational medicine at AstraZeneca, and previously a senior research scientist at IO Bispecifics Franchise in genomics and molecular medicine, with a focus on innovation in precision medicine.
Before joining GoodCitizen, Jailan Adly led strategy for Amplifier’s philanthropic partnerships and planned and executed internal strategic initiatives to build the agency’s capabilities. She is a social impact strategist who believes in the power of business to tackle and solve complex global challenges and brings over a decade of experience building impact-driven initiatives around the world.
Hassen Al-Shawaf advises BMO Financial Group (BMOFG) on a range of tax matters, including cross-border and related-party transactions, financial products, corporate reorganizations, and acquisitions. He represents BMOFG before the IRS and in transactions with counterparties. Previously, Al-Shawaf practiced tax law at a Chicago-based international law firm and worked at a public accounting firm.
Ali Alsarraf represents companies and individuals in their most complex and high-stakes disputes. He brings a wealth of experience in litigating and advising clients regarding crises that pose an existential threat to their companies’ businesses or brands. He also assists clients in navigating forums and regulatory regimes in matters with significant human rights implications.
In 2024, Garvin G. Ambrose was appointed chief of staff at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office by State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. Prior to this role, Ambrose held several key positions, including Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, chief of staff to former State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, and chief of the Bureau of Administrative Services under State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
Erick Amick works across academic boundaries bringing together tools and expertise from public health, medicine, and the social sciences to incubate innovative research and high-impact interventions that advance health and well-being in Chicago and communities around the world. Previously, Amick expanded a diverse portfolio of global health programs at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Roseanna Ander serves as the founding executive director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, which was launched in partnership with the City of Chicago. In the years following, she was appointed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Research Advisory Committee and the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, and was named co-chair of Rahm Emanuel's Public Safety Transition Committee.
Jenna Anderson specializes in advising global industrial goods corporations on strategic issues and in developing cutting-edge marketing, sales, and pricing solutions. Previously, she worked at Boston Consulting Group, in finance at a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm, in Chicago Public Schools, and in exhibit design at the Chicago Children's Museum.
