With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
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.
Steve Babitch’s work lies at the intersection of the social sciences, business strategy, and design. As a consultant who has worked with leading-edge innovation and design consultancies Doblin, now part of Deloitte, and IA Collaborative in Chicago, Babitch has worked with clients across many sectors, including computer hardware, automotive, consumer goods, and health care.
Ellie Bahrmasel is the Founder and CEO of Peranaut, a consumer house shaping the future for a flourishing life in the Age of the Centenarian. Peranaut invests in bold, early-stage consumer tech and brand startups through a mix of capital, community, and strategic support.
Craig Bennett, now retired, was one of eight executive committee members responsible for managing the strategic direction of Recycled Energy Development, LLC, an independent power producer that acquires, develops, owns, and operates industrial cogeneration and waste heat/gas recovery projects. They worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the cost of steam and electricity for host companies.
Before her role at Databricks, Kate Besser was a manager on the business transformation team at LinkedIn, leading strategic initiatives that drive global sales and business performance by scaling technology, analytics, and processes. Before that, she served as an insights lead supporting LinkedIn's largest and most strategic partnerships in the professional services industry.
Brandon Bodor serves as a business development manager with Parker Hannifin Corporation, a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. Prior to this role, he held a variety of cross-sector roles focused on national security and national service. From 2012 to 2014, Bodor was appointed by former Governor Pat Quinn to serve as executive director of the Serve Illinois Commission.
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.
Constance Bowen's workplace, Northern Trust, is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, and asset management. In her role, activating a differentiated and human-centered experience is central to her practice. She delivers solutions for a global portfolio that support corporate objectives with impactful results. Previously, she served in a variety of capacities at Bank of America.
Euler Bropleh is the founder and managing director of VestedWorld, a venture capital fund focused on spurring sustainable economic growth in underserved regions around the world. In this role, he is responsible for sourcing, vetting, and structuring transactions with early-stage companies poised to achieve significant growth and impact.
Piyush Chaudhari is the CEO at Salsify, after previously working at Aon Consulting, IBM, Motorola, and McKinsey and Company. He has been awarded two U.S. patents in the area of microelectronics. He earned his BS and MS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
