Next Generation Working Group

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.

Daniel Kwarteng was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and spent much of his life working with rural farmers and their cooperatives to improve community livelihoods. He also runs his family farm, Greenfields and Foods Ghana Ltd, as a tropical fruit producer for pineapples and mangoes.

Alex Loo has over ten years of experience in debt capital markets and investment banking, primarily in healthcare and commercial real estate. He's currently pursuing an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he is involved in student government, social impact, and various financial services organizations.

Liz Orr grew up in Kansas City and, as a lifelong Jayhawk, attended the University of Kansas and earned degrees in international studies and French. She works for an association management company, designing and producing educational conferences and experiences for business and trade associations.

Caroline Pavlecic is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she received a degree in supply chain & operations management and minors in business law and strategic management. She's passionate about maintaining Chicago’s status as a world-class city and has been heavily involved in related advocacy work.

Jacques Philoctete has an affinity for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and is experienced in helping clients who desire to align wealth with their personal priorities. He's passionate about lifting up under-served communities and serves on the board of the Help Youth non-profit organization, among others.

At International Justice Mission, Katie Russell helps Chicagoans get involved in achieving the vision of protecting half a billion people who are vulnerable to violence. Previously, she served as senior director of external affairs for the International Student House of Washington, DC, a nonprofit that promotes dialogue and fosters global citizenship among graduate students from around the world.

Chris Shadek’s passion is finding innovative solutions to complex problems to make a difference in people’s lives. He currently runs a software startup where he is in the process of launching a new app focused on making it easier for people to be social together in-person.

At Tusk Philanthropy, Nomalanga (Noma) Sheilds primarily focuses on managing aspects of campaigns and also evaluates proposals, creates presentations and talking points, keeps accurate records, identifies key stakeholders, and conducts research. Prior to joining Tusk, she supported fundraising and grant-writing efforts for The Noble Network of Charter School's 17 campuses across Chicago.

Marko John Supronyuk is a full-time MBA student at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a special assistant to Lt. Col. (ret.) Alexander Vindman and Col. (ret.) Eugene Vindman. He serves as a board member of Ukrainian-American organizations as well as the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics.

Asha Iman Veal is a curator of contemporary visual arts, focusing on interdisciplinary projects that advocate cross-cultural solidarity across geographic or political distances. Her recent exhibitions include RAISIN, which explores the global proliferation of a narrative-based artwork that has encouraged dialogues on justice in cities across the world.

Thomas Wakiaga is a co-founder and member of The Global Students Council, a coalition of student representatives, students, and professionals advocating for expediency and equity in policy and treatment of third-country nationals of African descent in and around Europe fleeing the Ukraine-Russia war.