With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
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.
As executive director of provenance research, Jacques Schuhmacher oversees the study of the histories of ownership behind the Art Institute’s global collection. By tracing each object’s provenance, his team deepens understanding of the works themselves, the people who valued them, and the societies through which they moved.
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.
Anthony Simpkins is a leader in Chicago’s affordable housing community and has held multiple roles serving the City of Chicago. As Managing Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Housing, he administered housing and community development policies, programs, and strategic investments. Before that, he was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Before his role at the Chicago Job Council, Jacob Sitati cofounded Maurice + Fischer, an international advocacy firm focused on public affairs, public policy, and market entry strategy. He directed the overall business for the firm and led the counsel on policy and advocacy work.
Lydia Stazen is a globally recognized leader and subject matter expert with two decades of experience across policy organizations, public-private partnerships, and university systems. She currently serves as director of policy operations for Chapin Hall, where she provides executive leadership to the policy team and oversees day-to-day operations related to the policy portfolio.
