With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
Before teaching at the University of Rochester, Milena Novy-Marx co-led a two-year effort to develop the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's initiative on global migration and human mobility. She also managed the foundation's work on international development, where she led an effort to create a new, interdisciplinary master's in development practice degree at universities worldwide.
In her previous role as executive director of Heartland Alliance International (HAI), Elizabeth Powley oversaw HAI’s work in a dozen countries, which aims to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. She's an expert in gender and post-conflict reconstruction, with over 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership and program development.
As deputy director, Jon Quinn works with donors on the strategy and implementation of their charitable giving. In his time at RPA, he has supported donors' strategies around confronting climate change, worked with a number of foundations’ retooling strategy in post-bankruptcy Detroit, and managed a family foundation’s grantmaking focused on land conservation, among many other projects.
Alisa Bhachu is the executive director of the Chicago Refugee Coalition. In her career, she has focused on the human rights sector as an advocate for women and girls, namely refugees and asylum seekers, especially those displaced throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nicole Robinson has spent her career building a bridge between communities, individuals, and corporations. In her current roles, she leads community programs designed to promote good nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and inspire volunteer service. These award-winning programs span the globe, touching five continents while reaching underserved and underrepresented neighborhoods.
In her role, Agneis Schultz leads holistic wellness efforts tailored to support each of the diverse communities that the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago serves. Her portfolio includes work in the health equity, food security, and digital equity space where she works with her team to partner with communities and connect them with vital resources.
Shalini Unnikrishnan is a core member of Boston Consulting Group's healthcare and social impact practices. In healthcare, she advises clients in the biopharma, medtech, and payer space on a broad range of strategic issues. In social impact, Unnikrishnan serves as BCG Chicago's office node and works across public education, global health, and economic development teams globally.
