With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
Matt Meltzer is a co-founder and partner at Meltzer Hellrung, a business immigration law firm. In his capacity as an attorney, he advises corporate clients, ranging from individual entrepreneurs to large multinational corporations, on securing visas for foreign employees. He helps companies devise immigration programs to efficiently and effectively attract and retain foreign talent.
Outside of the US, Tanya Menon has taught in France, India, Singapore, Italy, and Spain. She has won multiple teaching awards and has incorporated her nonprofit consulting experience into her classes. Additionally, Menon is the associate editor of the Journal of Management Science and was an American Marshall Memorial Fellow.
At US Bank, Joyce Merkel is responsible for driving the strategic growth of electronic platform trading for her company and mitigating the ever-changing risks present in the global currency market. She executes quotes for over 400 domestic and international corporate clients, collaborating with the sales team to trade twenty-four hours a day.
Josh Milberg is a recognized leader in sustainability, smart grid technology, and electric vehicle strategy. As former regional vice president for Midwest operations at Willdan Energy Solutions, he built the region’s energy efficiency and smart grid practice and advised key clients. His background spans strategy, finance, environmental policy, economics, and organizational development.
Will Miller is a senior manager in Ernst & Young's (EY) Forensic & Integrity services practice in Chicago. EY is a multinational professional services network and a global leader in assurance, consulting, strategy and transactions, and tax services. Since beginning his career with EY in 2009, Miller has gained experience in assisting clients with anti-money laundering (AML) compliance programs.
Dan Misch's work contributes to the innovation ecosystem of world-class laboratories, universities, and businesses in Chicago. He's an advocate for international collaboration and investments in advanced energy technology to strengthen US national security. Previously, Misch served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant and nuclear engineer on a ballistic missile submarine.
L. Heather Mitchell has over a decade of leadership experience in operations, investor relations, fundraising, asset management, and investment strategy. At Capri, she manages pension fund client relationships for US commercial real estate and leads marketing for the firm’s emerging market platform in Africa, India, and the Middle East.
Before her time at UI Health, Yamilé Molina was an associate professor with affiliations to the School of Public Health, Center for Research on Women and Gender, and Cancer Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She's led multiple studies characterizing and intervening upon the disproportionate burden of cancer that Latinx, African Americans, and rural populations face.
Juan Pablo Moreno is a partner of Mayer Brown’s banking & finance practice and the Latin American & Caribbean group. Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Moreno has experience spanning more than 15 years, which includes working in Colombia, France, and the United States. He regularly represents large corporations, sponsors, and financial institutions in cross-border corporate transactions.
Previously, Bela Moté led the department at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago responsible for developing and managing cross-functional learning, evaluation, and innovation. She also served as interim senior vice president of Mission Advancement. In this role, she oversaw all fundraising efforts, including annual campaigns, major gifts, and sponsorship, among others.
