With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
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.
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.
Kamran Bajwa specializes in complex international legal matters, particularly in the Middle East and emerging markets. He has advised major international NGOs on intercultural dialogue across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. He's lived in Dubai, Cairo, and Bahrain, and has worked in over 20 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Mary Barnicle oversees regulatory policy development for Prime Air, Amazon's commercial drone delivery service. Previously, she held the position of managing director of regulatory affairs at United Airlines, where she advocated for the company’s interests before multiple government regulatory agencies, particularly regarding taxation and economic liberalization.
Paul Bauerschmidt serves as the head of technology for digital assets at Millennium Management, a global multi-strategy investment firm. Previously, he led new growth initiatives in OTC markets as executive director of OTC products at the CME Group, owner of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and also held leadership positions in corporate development and technology.
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.
Before joining the Diocese of Rockford, Ryan Blackney was an associate in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group and the Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Group, and was a member of the Fraud and Internal Investigations Team at Freeborn and Peters LLP. He specializes in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, especially commercial fraud and fraudulent transfers.
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.
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.
