With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
Previously, Bela Moté led the department at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago responsible for developing and managing cross-functional learning, evaluation, and innovation. She also served as interim senior vice president of Mission Advancement. In this role, she oversaw all fundraising efforts, including annual campaigns, major gifts, and sponsorship, among others.
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.
Karla Ruth Orozco Toledano has over a decade of experience in trade, investment, business development, and international affairs. At WBC, she advocates for Chicago as an inclusive economic hub. She's focused on assisting foreign companies in setting up offices within Chicagoland and integrating them into diverse ecosystems, including food and agriculture, fintech, transportation, and more.
In her previous role as executive director of Heartland Alliance International (HAI), Elizabeth Powley oversaw HAI’s work in a dozen countries, which aims to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. She's an expert in gender and post-conflict reconstruction, with over 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership and program development.
As deputy director, Jon Quinn works with donors on the strategy and implementation of their charitable giving. In his time at RPA, he has supported donors' strategies around confronting climate change, worked with a number of foundations’ retooling strategy in post-bankruptcy Detroit, and managed a family foundation’s grantmaking focused on land conservation, among many other projects.
Rebekah Raleigh leads creative and content for BioLife Plasma Centers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda. Before that, she was the creative director at Rotary International, where she led creative development for video, stills, interactive graphics, events, and social media. Her team created content that was picked up by major international media, such as The Guardian and National Geographic.
Alisa Bhachu is the executive director of the Chicago Refugee Coalition. In her career, she has focused on the human rights sector as an advocate for women and girls, namely refugees and asylum seekers, especially those displaced throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nicole Robinson has spent her career building a bridge between communities, individuals, and corporations. In her current roles, she leads community programs designed to promote good nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and inspire volunteer service. These award-winning programs span the globe, touching five continents while reaching underserved and underrepresented neighborhoods.
In her role, Agneis Schultz leads holistic wellness efforts tailored to support each of the diverse communities that the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago serves. Her portfolio includes work in the health equity, food security, and digital equity space where she works with her team to partner with communities and connect them with vital resources.
Sean Shelby was previously a vice president at Isobar, a global digital marketing agency, where he partners with clients to create solutions integrating strategy, design, and technology into digital experiences. As a member of the Isobar US management team, he helps lead an agency powered by over 3,000 people in 63 offices across 37 markets.
