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, Advocacy & International Development, Sector, Private Sector, Appreccia D. Faulkner is the founder and CEO of Global Strategists Association, an international nonprofit striving to increase global engagement among the African Diaspora. The organization promotes diversity, ...

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, 2021, Industry, Business & Consulting, Sector, Private Sector, Joi Freeman is the founder of Remnant Strategy consultancy where she works at the intersection of culture and commerce to help legacy and emerging businesses navigate the ever-evolving global terrain. As a strategist, youth cu...

Cohort, 2021, Industry, Advocacy & International Development, Sector, Non-profit, Rachel Hermes manages programs of scale at Rotary International. Rotary is a worldwide organization comprised of 1.2 million business and professional leaders that promote local community initiatives with global act...

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, 2025, Industry, Environment & Sustainability, Sector, Non-profit, Social Media, 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. She received her m...