With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
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.
Michelle Adeniyi is driven by a simple belief: lasting change in global health begins with listening to communities. As a program officer for global health at Crown Family Philanthropies, she helps shape partnerships that strengthen community health systems and expand equitable access to care.
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).
Chime Asonye is the Founder of Nigerian Mental Health, the country’s largest multidisciplinary community of practitioners, comprising over 50 organizations advancing policy, research, wellness, and disability inclusion. He's worked on US campaigns, including as the regional get-out-the-vote director for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.
Bobby Bacci is the founder and CEO of Prominence Advisors, a technology firm focused on helping the nation’s leading healthcare organizations do more with their data. He has led Prominence to support over 50 healthcare organizations, including seven of the top 10 hospitals in the United States, and fostered a culture that has been recognized as a great place to work by multiple outlets each year.
Carolyn Baer is a global health specialist with over 20 years of experience leading programs focused on reproductive health for women and girls in humanitarian settings, as well as infectious disease surveillance and response. She played a key role in launching the Center for Global Health and currently oversees global medical research and educational initiatives.
Suchi Bansal is a gender and adolescent health consultant and previously a senior health research specialist at the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Ci3) at the University of Chicago. Ci3 is an innovative and interdisciplinary research center aimed at improving the health and well-being of young people in Chicago and across the world.
Sonia Bobra is an assistant professor of Neuroradiology at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. Bobra serves as education director for radiology residents and medical students and as a mentor to international medical students and women in medicine. As an active physician educator, she regularly leads interactive case-based conferences and lectures.
Claudia Carravetta is the vice president of business evolution strategic development at AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical company based in North Chicago. In this capacity, she develops and drives public affairs strategies and advances policy solutions to improve access to innovative medicines across Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Manuel Chavez joined the firm William Blair & Company in 2010 and works in the healthcare group, focusing on pharmaceutical services and outsourced medical device manufacturing sectors. He's passionate about the healthcare industry and works closely with clients in providing strategic advice as they look to achieve their short and long-term objectives.
