Emerging Leaders Alumni Committee

Now a consultant, TJ Augustine was formerly a vice chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he oversaw information technology, distance and adult education programs, corporate partnerships, and technology commercialization. Previously, Augustine served as associate vice president for economic development and innovation for the University of Illinois System.

Zachary Brown previously served as a supervisory financial analyst at the US Department of the Treasury, and before that as a principal at Milliman, where he led a team implementing risk management overlay strategies for banks, asset managers, insurance companies, and pension plans. In this role, he was a named portfolio manager on over a dozen mutual funds with over $20 billion in assets.

Mika Clark Tupy is Managing Director - Alliances at United Airlines where she oversees the global strategic direction for United’s Alliance Operations team which strives for a seamless customer experience across United and its partners’ networks and is responsible for the development of partnerships with Pacific and Latin American based airlines to support United’s global network.

Ryan Farrell is a consultant at Edelman, the global communications firm. He advises senior clients at Fortune 500 companies, international NGOs and nonprofits on corporate positioning, narrative and messaging.

Christopher Graves is the principal at Jordan Elementary and was previously the principal of LaSalle Language Academy, a K-8th-grade magnet lottery school in Chicago Public Schools. After seeing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his entire community, Graves adapted his leadership style to be responsive to the needs of teachers and staff who are fatigued from constant pivoting.

Adam Gypalo is a vice president at Resolute Public Affairs, a national public affairs and strategic advisory firm in Chicago. Recognized for his ability to navigate difficult legislative, policy, and political engagements on behalf of public and private sector organizations, Gypalo has worked across nearly every sector, including civic, transportation, infrastructure, and economic development.

Abin Kuriakose is the first-ever chief strategy and innovation officer for World Business Chicago (WBC), the city's economic development organization, chaired by the mayor. In this role, Kuriakose and his team manage a portfolio of high-impact economic development programs to grow the region’s tech, innovation, and startup economy.

Mike Lombardo is principal, managing broker, and attorney for Blue Star Properties, which owns over one million square feet of office, entertainment, retail, and industrial properties in Chicago. Notable projects include The National, a historic 600,000-square-foot property in the Loop, the recently transformed Salt Shed, Thalia Hall, as well as multiple office properties and restaurants.

A former federal prosecutor, Shoba Pillay is a partner at Jenner & Block where she leverages her technical skills and depth of understanding on global issues and risk to provide guidance to clients across a range of sizes and sectors.

Rebekah Raleigh leads creative and content for BioLife Plasma Centers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda. Before that, she was the creative director at Rotary International, where she led creative development for video, stills, interactive graphics, events, and social media. Her team created content that was picked up by major international media, such as The Guardian and National Geographic.

Nelson Rosario is the founding partner at Rosario Tech Law, the executive director of the Illinois Blockchain Association, and general counsel at the Decentralized AI Society. Licensed to practice in Illinois and before the US Patent & Trademark Office, he advises clients on commercial agreements, intellectual property, public policy, strategic counseling, and outside general counsel services.

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 Health, and Huron Consulting. She recently founded and is a current board member of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP).

Nina Wieda leads the Chicago Field Studies program at Northwestern University, guiding undergraduates as they explore career paths in fields such as law, business, and public service, while developing as professionals and responsible citizens. Her research focuses on experiential learning and adapting teaching methods to the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence.

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.