With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
Johannes Favi is a committed community and human rights advocate. As deputy director of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants (ICDI), he oversees strategic planning, fundraising, and development efforts. Favi has played a key role in advocacy for immigrant rights, including efforts that led to the Illinois Way Forward Act abolishing immigrant detention centers in Illinois.
Scott Fehlan has served the City of Chicago since 2004, advising on finance and economic development programs. Previously, he worked for Shefsky & Froelich, Universal Access Global Holdings, Kirkland & Ellis, and Sidley Austin Brown & Wood.
Dan Fenske is a partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group at Mayer Brown LLP. His practice focuses on antitrust litigation, in particular the defense of cartel, monopolization, and class action cases. Fenske represents clients before courts and agencies, including the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission.
Deb Fiddelke has led strategic communications and government relations for some of the world’s most influential organizations. She served in the White House under President George W. Bush as a legislative liaison to the US Senate, focusing on the Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees.
Kay Fillingham is a managing director at BMO Financial Group, where she oversees the delivery of treasury products to clients in specialty industries, including Canadian cannabis entities, money services businesses, third-party payment processors, and virtual currency exchanges. Previously, she served in a range of national security, intelligence, and policy roles in the US government.
Upon graduating from Benito Juarez Community Academy, Aida Flores was awarded a Gates Millennium Scholarship. She graduated from Georgetown University, earned a master’s degree in teaching from National-Louis University, and a second master’s in school leadership from Harvard University. She went on to help found the first dual language college prep school in Massachusetts.
Amy Francetic's career spans over 20 years of high-technology entrepreneurship, private equity, and research. She previously founded and led Energize Ventures, a $165 million venture fund that invests in digital energy technologies. She also held roles at the Stanford Research Institute, where she worked on an early version of the voice recognition technology that became Siri.
Joi Freeman is the founder of Remnant Strategy consultancy where she works at the intersection of culture and commerce to help businesses navigate the ever-evolving global terrain. As a strategist, youth culture enthusiast, and advocate for voices of vulnerable populations, Freeman is regarded as a brand “fixer” who connects the dots between corporate strategy, brand marketing, and social impact.
Aileen Furlong Caffrey leads premier programs and global air partnerships at Southwest Airlines. Previously, while under her leadership at United Airlines, Mileage Plus was named Best Elite-Level Program in the Americas for the second straight year at the Frequent Traveler Awards, as well as Best Frequent Flyer Program by Global Traveler magazine.
In her former role at BMO Financial Group as chief of staff, Sonia Gabrielson identified and facilitated business connections for all operating groups, including capital markets, personal and commercial banking, and wealth management. Gabrielson also engages in thought leadership activities to reinforce and expand BMO’s corporate missions.
