With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
Esther Joy King began her legal career as an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago and later had the opportunity to serve the State of Illinois in the office of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to start a marketing firm after obtaining her law degree, GRP21, where she learned firsthand about creating jobs and opportunities.
In her current role, Tina Kotrych leverages broad networks on both sides of the border to help Midwest-based firms navigate all aspects of setting up and expanding operations in Canada. In addition to her foreign direct investment (FDI) expertise, Kotrych also has a keen sense for policy analysis built over a decade of advocacy efforts promoting Canada's trade priorities.
Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th District of Illinois, which includes Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs. He is the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party and is also a member of the Emerging Leaders Class of 2010.
Flavia Lorenzon, the Council's 2026 Hart Fellow, works to support countries and territories in strengthening social protection systems and building equitable, people-centered emergency preparedness and response. With over a decade of experience, she has worked with UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Paul Mower is an assistant United States attorney in the violent crimes section of the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where he prosecutes federal crimes involving gang violence, racketeering, illegal firearms, and narcotics. He is also a major-select in the US Marine Corps Reserve, where he serves as a civil affairs officer and civil-military operations planner.
Chris Myers is a Chicago-based businessman, military officer, community servant, investor, and political activist. He's a partner in Ernst & Young’s merger and acquisition (M&A) consulting practice, where he specializes in international M&A transactions. He is also an officer in the United States Navy Reserves, where he currently supports Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25.
Lisa Reijula designs and implements strategic programs to help businesses overcome barriers to export, such as grants to offset financial risk, an intensive strategic plan development cohort, and pitch competitions for small businesses.
Julien Rosan joined Global Affairs Canada in 2019 and serves as trade commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago where he's responsible for trade and innovation initiatives to support Canadian technology companies seeking to do business in the US market. Prior to joining Global Affairs Canada, Rosan served as business development director for Business France.
Before joining Illinois' Department of Human Rights, Jason Rosensweig was assistant director for advocacy and international affairs at the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a global Jewish advocacy organization. He handled AJC's political advocacy, visiting dignitaries like ambassadors, and working with elected officials, community partners, and consuls general of the Chicago Diplomatic Corps.
In her current role, Bria Scudder helps manage more than ten state agencies, including the Department of Corrections, State Police, Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. She also directs and implements the administration’s top policy initiatives, including energy and criminal justice reform.
