Emerging Leaders Class of 2016
The Emerging Leaders Class of 2016 spent two years examining key issues that affect the world and impact the global city of Chicago.
They heard from experts on issues such as the global economy, international diplomacy, energy, and the environment. In addition to meeting regularly as a class, they worked on individual projects with Council experts to examine key global challenges.
This cohort of leaders from around Chicago was chosen by an independent selection committee from a highly competitive pool of applicants.
Class of 2016
Founder, Babitch Strategy Group
Steve Babitch’s work lies at the intersection of the social sciences, business strategy, and design. As a consultant who has worked with leading-edge innovation and design consultancies Doblin, now part of Deloitte, and IA Collaborative in Chicago, Babitch has worked with clients across many sectors, including computer hardware, automotive, consumer goods, and health care.
President, Ploughshares Fund
Emma Belcher is the president of the Ploughshares Fund, a public grantmaking foundation that supports initiatives to prevent the spread and use of nuclear weapons. Before this position, she was the director of nuclear challenges at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and published research on nuclear weapons at the Council on Foreign Relations as a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow.
Partner, McDermott Will & Emery
Christian W. Fabian is a corporate lawyer who focuses on cross-border mergers and acquisitions. He has led M&A transactions involving Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Russia, Mongolia, Germany, Latin America, and China, among others. He formerly worked at Mayer Brown as part of a core group of M&A partners responsible for maintaining the excellence of the firm's global M&A practice.
Co-Founder & President, LocusView Solutions
Alicia Farag is the co-founder and president of Locusview, which provides mobile and geospatial technologies to support integrity management, regulatory compliance, and cost reductions for the natural gas industry. Previously, they worked at the Gas Technology Institute, where they were responsible for the development and commercialization of mobile and geospatial technologies.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, GMM Nonstick Coatings
Ravin Gandhi is the founder and CEO of GMM Nonstick Coatings, one of the world’s largest suppliers of nonstick coatings to the $10B housewares industry. Its products are found on iconic brands such as Calphalon, KitchenAid, Farberware, George Foreman, Black and Decker, Wilton, Sunbeam, and Pyrex.
Founder & Principal, FGP Atelier
Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido is currently the founder and principal at FGP Atelier. Previously, in his 15 years at the international architectural firm JAHN, he designed and built projects on four continents. He shared the design leadership of the firm's work with the internationally acclaimed architect Helmut Jahn.
Managing Director, Great Lakes Global Holdings
Adam Hitchcock is a managing partner at Great Lakes Global Holdings, and before that, at Guggenheim Partners. Before joining Guggenheim, Hitchcock served as the chief of staff of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. He also served as a special assistant in the White House Office of the Chief of Staff, where he provided support to President Obama’s senior advisors.
Director of Domestic Programs, Project HOPE
Harley Jones is a mission-driven leader with 21 years of experience in non-profit and emergency management. As the director of domestic programs at Project HOPE, a global health NGO, he leads strategic partnerships and health initiatives with community health centers, free clinics, and public health departments across the country.
Chief Executive Officer, Bolhous Foundation
In her previous position, Abigayil Joseph leveraged over a decade of experience as a senior leader at Chicago Public Schools to advise on strategic, policy, and operational priorities. She served as a liaison for the board with the mayor’s office and the CEO of CPS. She's guided by a deep commitment to equity and access to quality education for all children, in every school and neighborhood.
Psychotherapist, InnerVoice Psychotherapy & Consultation
Natasha Krol's work has included facilitating collaboration across distributed higher education systems, supporting the government of Nigeria in reducing poliovirus cases, and designing innovation labs. Recently, Krol supported Chicago and UILabs in their winning bid to launch a $320M public-private "Digital Lab" to support advanced manufacturing technology research, development, and demonstration.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Carole Robertson Center for Learning
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.
Director of Grants Management, MacArthur Foundation
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.
Senior Vice President, Public Sector Industry Leader, Aon
Kathryn Reilly works to connect the worlds of commerce and public policy, shape business-related public policy, and create impactful communication campaigns. With more than 15 years of corporate experience, Reilly has led public affairs efforts at two Fortune 500 manufacturing and services enterprises.
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
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.
Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, S2G Ventures
Before joining S2G Ventures, Aaron Rudberg was a partner with Baird Capital, a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in the US, Europe, and Asia. He oversaw the firm’s relationships with current and prospective investors globally, as well as its business development, communication, sales, and marketing activities.
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Now with Kirkland & Ellis, Mark Schneider was previously an assistant US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and served as chief of appeals. A federal prosecutor based in Chicago, he also handled a multi-year national security investigation that resulted in the first successful prosecution for a violation of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act in 27 years.
Director, Yale Dermatology Global Health Program, Yale University
Currently at Yale University, Dr. Aisha Sethi also has experience serving on the steering committee as an assistant director of outreach for the Center for Global Health at the University of Chicago. After attending medical school in Pakistan, she completed her post-doctoral fellowship, internship, and residency in dermatology at Yale University, where she also served as chief resident.
Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Fund
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.
Team Director, HERE Technologies
Working at the intersection of business, government, and public interests, Jordan Stark counsels clients on communications, coalition building, and crisis management. He formerly served as communications director for Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel during his time in the US Senate. Stark worked on a wide range of issues associated with Hagel’s activities as a senior member of various committees.
Director, NextLevel Exchange
Previously, while at the American Jewish Committee, Amy Stoken managed their largest regional office, which included overseeing advocacy efforts with diplomats and faith-based leaders visiting or stationed in Chicago. She was also responsible for all Chicago-based programming and for the coordination of lay leader participation and activism.
Vice President of Transmission New Markets, Invenergy
Before joining Invenergy, Robert Taylor led initiatives and advised senior Exelon leadership on broad energy issues, including electricity generation, efficiency, finance, markets, transmission, regulatory affairs, strategy, and policy development. Previously, he was an energy policy and programs manager with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and also has a background in radiation health physics.
President & Co-Founder, Kreativa-Inc.
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.