With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
With a unique multicultural upbringing and an extensive entrepreneurial background, John Trainor was previously a publisher and general manager of the Chicago Tribune's Hoy newspaper. In this role, he oversaw the publication's editorial, circulation, operations, sales, marketing, and financial functions.
As the senior advisor to President Zaldwaynaka Scott, Kim H. Tran facilitates critical processes and manages an array of issues in areas across the university such as academic affairs, budget, external affairs, foundation development, human resources, and risk management.
Kruti Trivedi is previously an assistant US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where she served in the securities and commodities fraud section. A federal prosecutor based in Chicago, Trivedi has investigated and prosecuted a wide array of crimes, ranging from complex frauds to corruption to violent crimes.
Nathan Uldricks is a nationally recognized tech and operations executive and policymaker and was elected to serve as the chair of Pine Township in his native Porter County, Indiana. He is deeply involved in serving his local community as a volunteer firefighter, Porter County Parks Foundation board of directors member, local Boy Scout leader, and more.
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.
Ben van Loon is an award-winning writer, researcher, and association leader from Chicago. He serves as managing director and editor-in-chief of AFIRE, an international trade association of institutional investors focused on commercial real estate in the United States. He oversees the association’s marketing, PR, and thought leadership platform—including the multiple-award-winning Summit Journal.
Rebecca van Uitert created a unique professional pathway that combined a successful business immigration practice with a sustained commitment to pro bono representation of vulnerable immigrants. At Fragomen, the world’s largest immigration law firm, she served as primary outside immigration counsel to multiple Fortune 500 international corporations.
Asha Iman Veal is a curator of contemporary visual arts, focusing on interdisciplinary projects that advocate cross-cultural solidarity across geographic or political distances. Her recent exhibitions include RAISIN, which explores the global proliferation of a narrative-based artwork that has encouraged dialogues on justice in cities across the world.
Arshia Wajid is a healthcare executive with nearly 20 years of experience contributing to transformational journeys for many healthcare organizations, including Northwestern Medicine, Franciscan Health, Rush University System, Advocate Health, and Huron Consulting. She recently founded and is a current board member of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP).
Jamie Waters works in strategic communications on global issues with local impact, from defending philanthropic freedom and adopting emerging technologies to fostering social inclusion and engaging with challenging history. At the MacArthur Foundation, she leads the communications strategy for the Philanthropy Field Support Program and across foundation programs and initiatives.
