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Emerging Leaders Directory

With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.

John J. Murray 

Managing Partner, Arena Partners
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John Murray is a former partner in Accenture’s Management Consulting group, focused on its Chicago-area client base. Before joining Accenture, he spent three and a half years as the chief bid officer for the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid, where he was part of the executive leadership team. Murray joined the bid after spending six years as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company.

Allison Myers 

Fractional Vice President of Strategy, HData
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In her last role at Accenture, Allison Myers focused internally on Accenture’s efforts to grow and evolve its North American business. Previously, Myers was in a client-facing role within Accenture Strategy, focusing on energy, mobility, and built environment sectors, helping clients develop new strategies to solve challenges and opportunities related to new and emerging business models or technologies.

Christopher Myers 

M&A Partner, Strategy and Transactions, Ernst & Young Parthenon
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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.

Luis Alfredo Narváez Gete 

Vice Chancellor for Adult Education, City Colleges of Chicago
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Luis Alfredo Narváez Gete is the former director of strategic projects for Chicago Public Schools' Office of Language and Cultural Education. He worked to support the city's 70,000+ English language learners and to expand postsecondary access for Chicago’s immigrant and Latino communities. He currently oversees the adult education program at the City Colleges of Chicago.

Rebecca Neale Hampson 

Chief of Staff, Business Roundtable
Rebecca Neale Hampson
Previously, Rebecca Neale Hampson was a senior advisor to the Paulson Institute’s chairman, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, on his efforts to strengthen the US-China relationship. She also oversaw Paulson’s strategic priorities and special projects and served as a chief advisor on his initiatives to tackle US economic challenges and global environmental protection.

Brent Neiman 

Edward Eagle Brown Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Emerging Leaders Alumni
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Brent Neiman is the Edward Eagle Brown Professor of Economics at Chicago Booth. From 2022-2025, he served at the US Treasury as Counselor to the Secretary and as the Deputy Undersecretary for International Finance. Previously, Neiman served as staff economist for the White House Council of Economic Advisers and worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and McKinsey & Company.

Hinsley Njila 

Director of Customer Intelligence & Insights, ​Citi/Citi Retail Services
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In her current role, Hinsley Njila helps develop strategy and mitigation solutions for Credit Customer Lifecycle Management. Citi Retail Services delivers consumer and commercial credit card products, both private label and co-brand, to retailers and their clients across North America.

Milena Novy-Marx 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Sustainable Development, University of Rochester
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.

Jim O'Connor 

Global Head of Venture Capital & Managing Director, William Blair
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Before William Blair, Jim O'Connor worked at MVC Capital as managing director after nine years with Motorola, Inc. He was also a White House Fellow for the US Treasury Department, worked for the Committee on Ways and Means at the US House of Representatives, and was a volunteer teacher in South Africa. He was named one of American Ventures Magazine’s “40 under 40."

Justin P. Oberman 

President, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Airspace Data
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Justin P. Oberman is a recognized expert and industry leader in aviation/aerospace, homeland security, and identity management. His 27-year career includes service in government, founding a tech company, and advising investors and management teams. After 9/11, he helped set up the TSA and later served as an assistant administrator and senior executive at the Department of Homeland Security.