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, Amrith Kaur Aakre was the legal director of the Sikh Coalition, where she coordinated legal and policy initiatives to protect the civil rights of all Americans, create community empowerment, and continue efforts to engage communities for positive opportunities. Aakre was part of a group of student activists at George Washington University who cofounded the Sikh Coalition after 9/11.
Ali Alsarraf represents companies and individuals in their most complex and high-stakes disputes. He brings a wealth of experience in litigating and advising clients regarding crises that pose an existential threat to their companies’ businesses or brands. He also assists clients in navigating forums and regulatory regimes in matters with significant human rights implications.
Seth Anderson's industry expertise is primarily focused on aerospace, transportation, defense, and industrial sectors with expertise in strategy, transformations, supply chains, and more. As a senior consultant, his responsibilities include multi-project delivery and client relationship development. He also provides legal counsel for Kearney’s board of directors and global operating committee.
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.
Kamran Bajwa specializes in complex international legal matters, particularly in the Middle East and emerging markets. He has advised major international NGOs on intercultural dialogue across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. He's lived in Dubai, Cairo, and Bahrain, and has worked in over 20 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Barbara Barreno-Paschall was previously a commissioner with the State of Illinois Human Rights Commission following her appointment by Governor JB Pritzker. As a commissioner, she adjudicated complaints of discrimination filed under the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Before joining the Diocese of Rockford, Ryan Blackney was an associate in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group and the Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Group, and was a member of the Fraud and Internal Investigations Team at Freeborn and Peters LLP. He specializes in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, especially commercial fraud and fraudulent transfers.
In his previous role at Novartis Consumer Health, Jason Carter was a strategic advisor to the consumer health division, guiding various domestic and international issues. His work covered corporate governance, business development, compliance in sales and marketing, and government affairs. He also represented the company before federal regulatory agencies.
Before founding Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres, Patrick Croke was an attorney at Sidley Austin LLP where he has represented a wide variety of clients—including Fortune 100 companies, the US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and international companies, among others—in a variety of litigation regarding transactional, regulatory, business, political, and criminal matters.
Chad Doobay is a partner in the government and public finance practice group of the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, where he advises governmental entities and nonprofit organizations on financing projects that benefit the public good. Doobay works with hospitals, schools, museums, cultural institutions, and other nonprofit organizations to help them grow and advance their respective missions.
