With more than 300 members, the Emerging Leaders community is a dynamic cross-sector network of Chicago’s visionary, globally minded, locally committed leaders.
Jenna Anderson specializes in advising global industrial goods corporations on strategic issues and in developing cutting-edge marketing, sales, and pricing solutions. Previously, she worked at Boston Consulting Group, in finance at a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm, in Chicago Public Schools, and in exhibit design at the Chicago Children's Museum.
Now a consultant, TJ Augustine was formerly a vice chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he oversaw information technology, distance and adult education programs, corporate partnerships, and technology commercialization. Previously, Augustine served as associate vice president for economic development and innovation for the University of Illinois System.
Before joining Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Brian Axelrad was chief investment officer at Beyond Capital Fund, a nonprofit social impact fund investing in social enterprises in India and East Africa. In this role, he oversaw investment decision-making and advised on portfolio and overall fund strategy.
Bobby Bacci is the founder and CEO of Prominence Advisors, a technology firm focused on helping the nation’s leading healthcare organizations do more with their data. He has led Prominence to support over 50 healthcare organizations, including seven of the top 10 hospitals in the United States, and fostered a culture that has been recognized as a great place to work by multiple outlets each year.
Jonathan Chaparro leads the Chicago region of Braven, an organization that works to empower underrepresented young people with the skills, confidence, experience, and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs and meaningful careers. He is committed to expanding opportunities for the historically disenfranchised.
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.
Appreccia D. Faulkner is the founder and CEO of Global Strategists Association, an international nonprofit striving to increase global engagement among the African Diaspora. The organization promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in global affairs. She has hosted and curated several events designed to platform emerging and established women and leaders of color on today's issues.
Janice Giddens is a registered dietitian, and at the US Dairy Export Council, she leads collaborations with thought leaders to promote awareness of the link between agriculture, sustainable food systems, and health. Previously, as the nutrition manager at a food bank, she designed and implemented the rollout of a system that assessed the nutritional adequacy of 70 million pounds of food annually.
Mariam Huss is the CEO of Axxum Consulting, a management consulting firm providing services in change management, organization design, and program management. She has 15 years of experience in professional services and has held roles at IBM, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and the Hackett Group, and has served on the board of the Women’s Global Education Project, among others.
Jamia Jowers is the executive director of the What's Your Forté Foundation where she designs innovative programming to solve pressing challenges faced by Chicago's South and West side neighborhoods, as well as a security fellow with the Truman National Security Project, a Boren scholar, and president of the Chicago Refugee Coalition.
