With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
At Goldman Sachs, Regina Cross leads a team that works closely with family offices, foundations, and endowments to provide customized financial advisory, portfolio optimization solutions across all asset classes, and incorporates impact investing tailored to clients’ missions and values. Previously, Cross was the brand CFO for the US Affiliate Neuroscience Business Unit of Eli Lilly and Company.
As founder and CEO of Roads United, Eliot Dam offers a wealth of global product management, business development, and leadership experience in numerous technology markets, including connected vehicles, smart infrastructure, wireless telecommunications, mobile application development, and geospatial analytics.
John P. DeBlasio is chairman of DT Global and DT Institute, founder of the Global Peace and Development (GPD) Charitable Trust, and managing director of Bootstrap Capital. He also founded Sallyport Global Holdings to support reconstruction efforts in Iraq, later expanding its operations across the Middle East and Africa.
Now at Rivian, Rebecca Delaney was the youngest engineering team leader for the design firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s (SOM) sustainable engineering studio. She led multidisciplinary sustainable-engineering teams for projects including the design competition for the world's tallest office tower, a LEED Gold high school for CPS, and a boutique high-rise art museum in New York.
Erin Delawalla leads regional sales and business development in the Upper Midwest for Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC, the nation’s largest operational ecological restoration company. She works to develop new markets and innovative funding strategies for environmental restoration and conservation of sensitive natural resources, particularly through the development of ecosystem credit markets.
Lauren Densham supports public sector, higher education, and nonprofit clients in evolving their organizational strategy and processes to more effectively achieve their mission and better serve constituents. She has experience supporting leading public and private sector organizations with strategy development, organizational transformation, and sustainability initiatives.
Chad Doobay is a partner in the government and public finance practice group of the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, where he advises governmental entities and nonprofit organizations on financing projects that benefit the public good. Doobay works with hospitals, schools, museums, cultural institutions, and other nonprofit organizations to help them grow and advance their respective missions.
Previously, Zach Egan was president, CIO, and fund manager at Columbia Wanger Asset Management, a globally recognized leader in small and mid-cap equities with peak assets under management exceeding $40 billion.
Josh Ellis founded SUM, a company that creates restorative outdoor experiences for groups throughout Chicagoland—from staff retreats to wellness outings and beyond. By offering safe, inclusive, and welcoming experiences, SUM helps people pause, connect, and recharge—while also making nature more accessible and enjoyable for those often marginalized in outdoor spaces.
Before working at KittyHawk, Lincoln S. Ellis led Green Square's strategy and business development practices and headed the firm's Chicago branch, Green Square's first office outside of Memphis. He created Columbia University's Columbia International Affairs Online (ciaonet.org), one of the first and most comprehensive databases for theory and research in economics and international affairs.
