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.
Seth Anderson's industry expertise is primarily focused on aerospace, transportation, defense, and industrial sectors with expertise in strategy, transformations, supply chains, and more. As a senior consultant, his responsibilities include multi-project delivery and client relationship development. He also provides legal counsel for Kearney’s board of directors and global operating committee.
Prior to Embark Strategies, Sonya Anderson supported the development of early childhood education programs and policies for the Ounce of Prevention Fund. She previously worked for the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, overseeing their domestic and international work in education.
Elizabeth Andrews has lived and worked across Africa, Asia, and Europe for the past 15 years representing award-winning newsrooms, startups, international nonprofits, and the United Nations. Currently, she's building and leading philanthropic strategy and partnership work at mHUB, a Chicago-based innovation center focusing on climate tech, med tech, and sustainable manufacturing.
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.
Now a consultant, TJ Augustine was formerly a vice chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he oversaw information technology, distance and adult education programs, corporate partnerships, and technology commercialization. Previously, Augustine served as associate vice president for economic development and innovation for the University of Illinois System.
Before joining Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Brian Axelrad was chief investment officer at Beyond Capital Fund, a nonprofit social impact fund investing in social enterprises in India and East Africa. In this role, he oversaw investment decision-making and advised on portfolio and overall fund strategy.
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.
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.
After nearly 20 years in leadership roles at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Benjamin Bader now leads the global workplace function for HERE Technologies, managing real estate across nearly 40 countries. Bader shapes and executes HERE's real estate strategy, working closely with key stakeholders to align business needs with financial goals, mitigate risks, and deliver data-driven solutions.
