Cohort, 2021, Industry, Law, Sector, Public Sector, 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...

Cohort, 2018, Industry, Business & Consulting, Sector, Private Sector, Shermin Kruse was previously a partner at the law firm of Barack Ferrazzano. She is also a TEDx speaker; an accomplished negotiator, facilitator, and mediator; the author of the critically acclaimed, best-selling novel Butterf...

Cohort, 2019, Industry, Government, Policy, & Public Affairs, Sector, Public Sector, Social Media, In 2024, Garvin G. Ambrose was appointed chief of staff at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office by State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. Prior to this role, Ambrose held several key po...

Cohort, 2020, Industry, Science, Technology, & Innovation, Sector, Private Sector, Social Media, Shima Rayej is the co-founder and chief product officer at Safe Rate, an AI-native mortgage technology firm helping borrowers navigate the complex process of shopping for a mortgage loan. Before Safe ...

Cohort, 2019, Industry, Law, Sector, Private Sector, As primary outside counsel at one of the city’s premier labor and employment law firms, Tejas Shah’s career provides him with the opportunity to combine two of his passions – immigration law and civic engagement. At Barnes & Thornburg, Sh...

Cohort, 2018, Industry, Law, Sector, Private Sector, 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. Doob...

Cohort, 2018, Industry, Advocacy & International Development, Sector, Non-profit, Joel Braunold is the managing director of The Center Project, having consulted for leading organizations, funds, and foundations on public policy and the financing of violence prevention and peacebuilding in domesti...

Cohort, 2018, Industry, Environment & Sustainability, Sector, Private Sector, Social Media, Josh Ellis is the co-founder and executive director of SUM, a company that creates restorative outdoor experiences for groups throughout Chicagoland—from staff retreats and wellness outings to community ...

Cohort, 2024, Industry, Healthcare, Sector, Non-profit, Arshia Wajid is a Healthcare Executive with nearly 20 years of experience contributing to transformational journeys for many healthcare organizations, including Northwestern Medicine, Franciscan Health, Rush University System, Advocate Healt...

Cohort, 2010, Industry, Science, Technology, & Innovation, Sector, Private Sector, Shores earned his BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A leader in Chicago civic and charitable affairs, he is an active member and past board chairman for the Chicago Youth C...