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Emerging Leaders Directory

More than 50 resident and nonresident fellows offer research, analysis, and commentary on US foreign policy and public opinion, global food security, and global cities.

Sean Shelby 

Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Fund
Sean Shelby was previously a vice president at Isobar, a global digital marketing agency, where he partners with clients to create solutions integrating strategy, design, and technology into digital experiences. As a member of the Isobar US management team, he helps lead an agency powered by over 3,000 people in 63 offices across 37 markets.

Ross Shelleman 

Group Chief Executive Officer, Aisle Rocket
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Ross Shelleman is the CEO of Aisle Rocket, after previously serving as president and CEO of Target Data, a venture-backed "Big Data" and analytics company focused on the life event of moving. Before founding Target Data, Shelleman held various senior business development positions across a multitude of industries, including technology, healthcare, and managed services.

J. Jordan Shields 

Partner, Juniper Advisory
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J. Jordan Shields joined Juniper Advisory, a specialized investment banking firm that provides government-owned, non-profit, and faith-based hospitals strategic transaction support, in 2011, in part due to the work his class of Emerging Leaders did exploring the opportunities and risks of privatizing public infrastructure, specifically hospitals.

Roger Shores 

Founder, Life 4.0
Roger Shores founded Life 4.0, a consulting endeavor focused on his passion for spreading his proven business philosophies across various well-established start-up and non-profit organizations. He's a leader in Chicago civic and charitable affairs, including as an active member and past board chairman for the Chicago Youth Centers organization.

Anthony E. Simpkins 

President & Chief Executive Officer, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
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Anthony Simpkins is a leader in Chicago’s affordable housing community and has held multiple roles serving the City of Chicago. As Managing Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Housing, he administered housing and community development policies, programs, and strategic investments. Before that, he was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Jacob Sitati 

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Chicago Jobs Council
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Before his role at the Chicago Job Council, Jacob Sitati cofounded Maurice + Fischer, an international advocacy firm focused on public affairs, public policy, and market entry strategy. He directed the overall business for the firm and led the counsel on policy and advocacy work.

Juliet Sorensen  

Clinical Professor of Law, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
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Juliet Sorensen is a clinical professor of law and the director of Loyola's Rule of Law Institute and Program in Rule of Law for Development. She was previously on the faculty of Northwestern and served as the executive director of Injustice Watch, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization focused on systemic inequities in the courts.

Ted Souder 

Founder, Wiggs Holding
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Ted Souder is a former Google insider, former vice chair of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and current board director at 1871, one of the top-rated technology incubators in the world. Today, Souder speaks at events worldwide on the topic of digital transformation and its positive impact on business, community, and life.

Jordan Stark 

Team Director, HERE Technologies
Working at the intersection of business, government, and public interests, Jordan Stark counsels clients on communications, coalition building, and crisis management. He formerly served as communications director for Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel during his time in the US Senate. Stark worked on a wide range of issues associated with Hagel’s activities as a senior member of various committees.

Julie Steffen-Layda 

Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle
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Based in Chicago, Julie Steffen-Layda leads the Midwest hub for the international desk for JLL. In this role, she is responsible for expanding the growth of the company's international business across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific regions. Before her move to Chicago, Steffen-Layda was part of the Palo Alto hub of the international desk.