Chicago Council on Global Affairs Announces the 2019 Class of Emerging Leaders and Celebrates 10 Years of the Program

July 17, 2018

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs today announced the 2019 class of its Emerging Leaders program, marking the 10-year anniversary of the global leadership program. Over the next year, the tenth class of Emerging Leaders will engage in a rigorous course that will further develop their knowledge of American foreign policy and elevate their leadership capacities. The Council will deepen the participants’ understanding of global affairs and policy through a year of discussions, skills trainings and site visits, including meeting with policymakers and influencers in Washington, DC.

"The Council is committed to positioning the next generation to take on a global leadership role," said Ambassador Ivo Daalder, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. "As the global order continues to shift, it's important that the next generation enhances its global acumen and professional networks. Through the Emerging Leaders Program, we aim to arm them with a broad perspective and deep understanding of critical global issues so they can serve as effective leaders for our city, the nation, and the world."

The Emerging Leaders class will participate in briefings with Council experts to explore global security, global cities, economic inequality, food insecurity and other topical global issues defining U.S. engagement abroad. They will attend Council events and train in important leadership skills, applying what they learn in individual and group projects and exercises.

The Council’s Emerging Leaders Class of 2019 was selected from a pool of highly competitive applicants and represent 20 of Chicago’s best and brightest from some of its most prominent organizations including the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Grant Thorton, Lions Club International, Boeing, Big Shoulders Fund, KPMG, and UIC among many others. This year's class participants are:

  • Garvin G. Ambrose, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
  • Silvia Beltrametti, School of Art Institute of Chicago
  • Euler Bropleh, VestedWorld
  • Zachary Brown, Milliman
  • Anthos Chrysanthou, Translate.com
  • Farah Eck, Lions Clubs International
  • Christopher Hale, Sidley Austin LLP
  • Michael Hubbard, William Blair
  • Sherene Awad Jodrey, Boeing
  • Emanuel Johnson II, Robert R. McCormick Foundation
  • Alexandra Kruzel, Market Strategy Group
  • Rebecca Lindsay-Ryan, Big Shoulders Fund
  • Chris Lyons, Prince Castle
  • Absera Melaku, University of Chicago Center for Global Health
  • Yamile Molina, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Jeff Pajauskas, Grant Thornton
  • Nalini Prakash Hart, KPMG
  • Tejas Shah, Franczek Radelet PC
  • Scott Stern, American Marketing Association
  • Allison Tingwall, Curie Metropolitan High School

The Council is also celebrating its tenth year of the program. Alumni of the program include Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Scudder, Architect Jeanne Gang, President of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights Evelyn Diaz, President and CEO of Big Shoulders Fund Joshua Hale, Founder and Executive Director of GPD Charitable Trust & Bootstrap-Capital John DeBlasio, Chairman of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Bridget Gainer, Executive Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab Roseanna Ander, and the Deputy Treasurer of Illinois Rodrigo Garcia.

The Emerging Leaders program was established in 2008 and has graduated 181 participants to date. More information about the Emerging Leaders program is available at thechicagocouncil.org.