Emerging Leaders Class of 2023
The Emerging Leaders Class of 2023 spends a year examining key issues that affect the world and impact the global city of Chicago.
Emerging Leaders at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs become part of a network of globally fluent leaders who will continue to raise the bar for Chicago as a leading global city.
Class of 2023
Principal and Corporate Counsel, Kearney
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.
Head of Workplace Strategy and Project Management, Northern Trust
Constance Bowen's workplace, Northern Trust, is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, and asset management. In her role, activating a differentiated and human-centered experience is central to her practice. She delivers solutions for a global portfolio that support corporate objectives with impactful results. Previously, she served in a variety of capacities at Bank of America.
Director, Public Affairs, Beam Suntory
Ashley Bromagen develops and implements government relations and public affairs strategies in the U.S. and Mexico for Beam Suntory, a global spirits manufacturer. She also advises company leadership and cross-functional teams about the potential impact of policy and political developments. Before joining the corporate sector, Bromagen was a legislative staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Director of Rotary Grants, The Rotary Foundation
In her current role, Meredith Burlew is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of Rotary’s grant programs in over 140 countries. She is committed to developing a diverse team supporting Rotary grantees in designing locally-driven, results-oriented projects that value learning and continuous improvement. Burlew also volunteers with Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry).
Director, DaVita
Arthur Colby is a director for DaVita Kidney Care, creating an integrated corporate strategy and driving sustained growth for more than 120 clinics in the Chicagoland and Wisconsin markets. He builds and executes regional growth plans and helps lead DaVita’s evolving value-based kidney care strategy. Previously, Colby was an investment banker at William Blair focused on mergers and acquisitions.
Regional Client Solutions Manager, Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC
Erin Delawalla leads regional sales and business development in the Upper Midwest for Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC, the nation’s largest operational ecological restoration company. She works to develop new markets and innovative funding strategies for environmental restoration and conservation of sensitive natural resources, particularly through the development of ecosystem credit markets.
Principal, LaSalle Language Academy
Christopher Graves has been the principal of LaSalle Language Academy, a K-8th grade magnet lottery school in Chicago Public Schools since 2018. Having led prior to, during, and now emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, Graves has seen the impact on his entire community. He’s adapted his leadership style to be responsive to the needs of teachers and staff who are fatigued from constant pivoting.
Vice President, Resolute Public Affairs
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.
Head, US Digital Partnerships, BMO Financial Group
In addition to his work at BMO, Andrew Harrison is the leader of WMNfintech, a national accelerator program run in collaboration with 1871. He has spent 15 years in finance and banking focusing on commercial banking, payments, and technology. As the head of digital partnerships, he works to identify partnerships that improve the experience of BMO's retail and commercial customers.
Research Analyst, William Blair
Jayesh Kannan, CFA, researches global technology, media, and communication services companies and makes recommendations regarding their investment attractiveness for the firm’s global and international investment portfolios. He focuses on understanding the business model, competitive advantages, and evaluating the corporate performance of companies across economies of the world.
Partner, Mayer Brown LLP
Nadav Klugman is a partner in Mayer Brown’s projects & infrastructure group and has spent his entire career with the firm, joining out of law school. He has worked on a wide range of debt, equity, and tax monetization financings, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures in the US and abroad. Much of his practice focuses on renewable energy and other clean technology assets.
CEO, Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association
Gabriella Kusz is CEO of the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association, a global voluntary self-regulatory association. Previously, she served as the principal for strategic initiatives at the International Federation of Accountants. Kusz’s background has included working in the international financial sector and economic growth spanning 50 countries and five continents.
Co-Founder and Partner, Meltzer Hellrung
Matt Meltzer is a co-founder and partner at Meltzer Hellrung, a business immigration law firm. In his capacity as an attorney, he advises corporate clients, ranging from individual entrepreneurs to large multinational corporations, on securing visas for foreign employees. He helps companies devise immigration programs to efficiently and effectively attract and retain foreign talent.
Chief of Staff to the President, United Airlines
Mika Clark Tupy also serves as assistant general counsel overseeing global competition and alliances for United Airlines' legal department. In addition to her work with the president, Tupy ensures the company’s compliance with competition laws worldwide, provides legal guidance related to global partnerships, and spearheads any special projects related to acquisitions and divestitures.
Associate Curator, Museum of Contemporary Photography
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.