Emerging Leaders Class of 2025
Meet the members of the Class of 2025.
Emerging Leaders at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs become part of a network of globally fluent leaders who will continue to raise the bar for Chicago as a leading global city.
Class of 2025
Director, mHUB
Elizabeth Andrews has lived and worked across Africa, Asia, and Europe for the past 15 years representing award-winning newsrooms, startups, international nonprofits, and the United Nations. Currently, she's building and leading philanthropic strategy and partnership work at mHUB, a Chicago-based innovation center focusing on climate tech, med tech, and sustainable manufacturing.
Senior Vice President, Trident DMG
At Trident DMG, Logan Booth provides multi-disciplinary counsel on business-critical issues at the intersection of law, policy, and commerce. In addition to his civilian career, he's an officer in the US Navy Reserve serving in the intelligence and public affairs communities, and he's licensed to practice law in both Illinois and New York.
Senior Responsible Investment Manager, Principles for Responsible Investment
Shaska Chirinos helps cover PRI’s United States market and works closely with many of the world’s leading investors to guide the development of their responsible investment programs. Additionally, she is a Sustainability Accounting Standards Board FSA Credential Holder and serves on the strategic asset management committee at the International Water Association.
Chief Dreamer & President, Dion’s Chicago Dream
Dion Dawson is the founder and chief dreamer of Dion’s Chicago Dream, a nonprofit social enterprise combating food insecurity through logistics and last-mile delivery in the Midwest. His system has provided millions of pounds of fresh produce annually to food-insecure recipients in the Chicago region, with numerous community jobs created through one powerful movement.
Eastern Region Director, Federal Executive Boards
In addition to managing regional staff at the Federal Executive Boards, Edgar Delgado is responsible for uniting top federal executives within the region, providing platforms for leaders to unite under a shared vision of government service that's efficient, collaborative, and community-focused. He's a United States Air Force (USAF) veteran where he deployed numerous times.
Deputy Director, Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants
Johannes Favi is a committed community and human rights advocate. As deputy director of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants (ICDI), he oversees strategic planning, fundraising, and development efforts. Favi has played a key role in advocacy for immigrant rights, including efforts that led to the Illinois Way Forward Act abolishing immigrant detention centers in Illinois.
Elementary School Assistant Principal, Chicago Public Schools
Upon graduating from Benito Juarez Community Academy, Aida Flores was awarded a Gates Millennium Scholarship. She graduated from Georgetown University, earned a master’s degree in teaching from National-Louis University, and a second master’s in school leadership from Harvard University. She went on to help found the first dual language college prep school in Massachusetts.
Adjunct Professor and Advisor, Northwestern University
As a visionary cultural strategist and global operator, Anas Ghazi has expanded firms across six continents, launched 22 pioneering data partnerships, and generated over $1 billion in revenue through digital transformation and AI-driven innovation for major global brands. He's currently an adjunct professor and career chair at Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Communication program.
Associate Director, Acquisitions, Cook County Land Bank Authority
At the Cook County Land Bank Authority, Kenneth Gilkes Jr. spearheads strategic planning and policy execution to enhance operational efficiency in asset management. Previously, he managed economic development funds for the City of Chicago and oversaw a $1.8 million budget for the U.S. House of Representatives 2nd Congressional District of Illinois.
Executive Director, Project C.U.R.E.
As the executive director of Project C.U.R.E. Chicago, Katie Hanlon is working to make Project C.U.R.E. the world's largest distributor of donated medical supplies and equipment to under-resourced countries. Hanlon is passionate about empowering and equipping communities, specifically women and children, with the tools needed to build a healthier community, and ultimately, a healthier world.
Founder & Principal, The Morpheus Consultancy, LLC
Amiel Harper brings over a decade of professional advisory experience across industries to Morpheus Consultancy, LLC. He's served as an advisor to two Illinois governors and many C-suite executives in addition to extensive service to academic, corporate, political, government, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial organizations.
Founder & Principal Attorney, Jarecki Law Group, LLC
Michael R. Jarecki is the principal and founding attorney of Jarecki Law Group, LLC, a Chicago-based full-service U.S. immigration law firm, and he's a board member of the Federal Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section. The AILA Chicago chapter awarded Jarecki the Minsky Beacon of Light Award for his dedication to the advancement of the immigration field and for outstanding mentorship.
Strategic Relationships Officer, Rotary International
Sam Kendall leads the Rotary-USAID Hearts of Europe partnership, focused on Rotary clubs in Eastern and Central Europe, Rotary's relationship with USAID and the U.S. Department of State, and coordination with other government organizations interested in working with Rotary International and Rotary members.
Assistant General Counsel, Aon
Rebecca Knight is an assistant general counsel with Aon's law and compliance team. She is a business-focused attorney with over 15 years of experience partnering with leaders to meet strategic objectives, mitigate risk, and drive growth. She regularly negotiates complex commercial agreements and counsels the businesses she supports on the development of innovative offerings.
Founder & CEO, Sage Corps
Matt Meltzer is the founder and CEO of Sage Corps, an international internship program that sends college students to work abroad with entrepreneurs at tech startups. Before Sage Corps, he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP where he represented primarily Latin American clients in international litigations and internal investigations.
Director of Foreign Direct Investment, World Business Chicago
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.
Associate, HSBC Asset Management
In the financial services industry since 2013, Ryan Schomburg currently works for HSBC Asset Management where he assists corporate clients with their investment needs. Previously, he worked in corporate banking relationship management, after completing a two-year finance rotation program with various roles in New York, London, and Chicago.
Professor of Product Management and AI, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Birju Shah teaches and mentors students and executives on how to design, develop, and deploy AI and ML products and platforms. He is also the CEO of Loam, an AI-powered sustainability platform that helps CPG companies transition their supply chains to regenerative agriculture supply chains to accelerate the nation’s longevity plans for sustainable and productive agriculture.
Township Chairman, Porter County, Indiana
Nathan Uldricks is a nationally recognized tech and operations executive and policymaker and was elected to serve as the chair of Pine Township in his native Porter County, Indiana. He is deeply involved in serving his local community as a volunteer firefighter, Porter County Parks Foundation board of directors member, local Boy Scout leader, and more.
Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Columbia University
Diane D. Williams is completing her Ph.D. in social work focused on productive aging in older adult populations, specifically focusing on social integration and retirement. Most recently, Williams worked on the AARP Disrupt Disparities IL Report which focuses on racial disparities among older adults across topic areas of economic security, health equity, and connectivity.
Global Senior Product Manager - Building Quality & Compliance, UL Solutions
With over 18 years of experience, Ghanem Zureikat has become a recognized authority in fire and life safety product certification and building inspection services. Zureikat’s industry influence extends beyond his current role as he is actively involved in professional networks and contributes to advancing best practices and shaping industry standards.