Our Fellows59 Fellows recognized as Who’s Who in Chicago
Click to find out which LGC Signature Fellows and Daniel Burnham Fellows were recognized on this highly esteemed list in 2025.
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We Are a Catalyst For Change
We empower Fellows to tackle the most pressing challenges through collaboration, innovation and action. By connecting courageous leaders, we create a powerful network of changemakers to make progress toward shaping a better Greater Chicago region.
Our Mission
To cultivate courageous and connected cross-sector civic leaders who are committed to leading transformative change that will have an enduring impact on the future of communities throughout the Greater Chicago region.
Our History & Impact
In 1983, a group of distinguished civic leaders came together at the invitation of The Chicago Community Trust (CCT) to create a leadership development program for the Greater Chicago region. Under the guidance of CCT Executive Director Bruce Newman, founding LGC Executive Director Dr. Marvin R. Cohen and others, this collaboration laid the foundation for Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC).
LGC is the region’s premier civic leadership development organization, convening bold leaders to drive civic impact. We unite high-performing professionals across sectors to tackle the most pressing socioeconomic challenges. Since 1985, our Signature Fellows Program has shaped the region’s civic landscape by fostering lifelong commitment to engagement and collaborative activation.
In 2019, LGC launched the Daniel Burnham Fellowship® to equip top executives with the insights and networks needed to accelerate economic progress and workforce development. Daniel Burnham Fellows have leveraged their expertise and influence to support communities and enhance the region’s economic resilience through initiatives addressing access to education, public policy reform, food security, community investment, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and more.
Under the leadership of CEO Myetie Hamilton (LGC Fellow since 2016), LGC is poised to reach even greater levels of strategic influence, impact and innovation. To date, we have invested over $5 million in leadership development, fueling cross-sector solutions that strengthen communities. As we celebrate more than 40 years of Fellows and impact, we invite you to learn more about how LGC is activating leaders to shape the future of our city and region.
The LGC Class of 1985, the first class of civic leaders to complete the LGC Signature Fellows Program.
Our Network
Our FellowsCrain’s 40 Under 40 Honorees
Over 110 LGC Fellows have been named Crain’s 40 Under 40 Honorees. Click for the full list.
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Our FellowsMeet LGC’s 2025 Distinguished Fellow: Juan Salgado
The Distinguished Fellow Award honors one LGC Fellow who has made a significant leadership contribution to the community. Click to discover every winner since 1999.
Read MoreMeet LGC’s Leaders
LGC BOARD
Our Executive Board provides governance and guides strategic planning to sustain our continued commitment to developing a strong pipeline of civic leaders who will shape the future of Chicago and the region.
CHAIR
Melissa Washington (LGC Fellow since 2016)
Senior Vice President, Customer Operations and Chief Customer Officer, ComEd
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Adolfo Hernandez (LGC Fellow since 2015)
President, J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation
Matthew L. Primack, PT, DPT, MBA (LGC Fellow since 2016 and Daniel Burnham Fellow)
President, Advocate Condell Medical Center – Advocate Health
John C. Robak (Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Former Chairman and CEO, Greeley and Hansen
Larry Serota (LGC Fellow since 2013)
Executive Managing Director and Board Member, Transwestern
Rodrigo Sierra
Chief Communications Officer, SVP, American Medical Association
David S. Tropp (LGC Fellow since 1995)
Executive Vice President, CBRE, Inc.
Manika M. Turnbull, Ph.D. (LGC Fellow since 2015 and Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Health Care Service Corporation
Patrick Whiteside (LGC Fellow since 2016)
Senior Vice President Operations, Nicor Gas
2025-2026 BOARD DIRECTORS
Michael C. Andolina (LGC Fellow since 2015)
Partner, White & Case LLP
Stacey Bolton
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Asset Servicing, The Northern Trust Company
Damion Heron (LGC Fellow since 2018)
Midwest Region Executive, Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase & Co
Joshua Milberg (LGC Fellow since 2017)
Chief Financial Officer – Allstate Enterprise Solutions, Allstate Insurance Company
Cindy Moelis (Daniel Burnham Fellow)
President, Pritzker Traubert Foundation
Sandeep Nain (Daniel Burnham Fellow)
President and Founder, SNtial Technologies
Denise Poole (LGC Fellow since 2018)
Managing Partner, Enterprise Client Leader, Aon Corporation
Kristen Seeger (LGC Fellow since 2017 and Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Partner, Sidley Austin LLP
Lois Scott (LGC Fellow since 1990)
President, Epoch Advisors
Lucino Sotelo (LGC Fellow since 2006)
Chief Commercial Officer, Grandview Homes LLC
Michelle Stohlmeyer Russell (LGC Fellow since 2009)
Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Andrés Tapia (LGC Fellow since 2008 and Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Principal & Founder, Andrés Tapia Strategy Group, Council member Highland Park
Cedric D. Thurman (LGC Fellow since 2008 and Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Executive Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, Group Head, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
David J. Vitale (LGC Fellow since 1985)
Chairman, DNP Select Income Fund, Inc.
Ann Marie Wright (Daniel Burnham Fellow)
U.S. Chief Risk Officer, BMO Financial Group
LFA BOARD
The Leadership Fellows Association Board (LFA Board) is a permanent standing committee comprised of class and cohort representatives from every decade of LGC. Its focus is to Convene, Connect and Activate Fellows in accordance with the LGC strategic plan.
CHAIR
Adolfo Hernandez (LGC Fellow since 2015)
President, J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DeRondal Bevly (LGC Fellow since 2014)
Founder and Managing Director, RubyRose Strategies
Vice Chair
Tabassum Haleem (LGC Fellow since 2005)
Director of Finance, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
Chair, Convene Subcommittee
Howard Learner (LGC Fellow since 1990)
President and Executive Director, Environmental Law and Policy Center
Chair, Leadership Nominating Subcommittee
Jesse Reyes (LGC Fellow since 1988)
Justice, Illinois Appellate Court
Secretary
Ayoka Samuels (LGC Fellow since 2013)
Associate Vice Chancellor of Technology Sector Strategy, City Colleges of Chicago
Chair, Activate Subcommittee
Alicia T. Vega, MJ (LGC Fellow since 2016)
President, Alicia T. Vega Consulting, Inc.
Chair, Connect Subcommittee
2025-26 LFA BOARD MEMBERS
Jeffery Beckham, Jr. (LGC Fellow since 2023)
Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Scholars
Walidah Bennett (LGC Fellow since 1994)
Founder and Director, Multi-Faith Veteran Support Initiative, DePaul University Egan Office of Urban Education and Community Partnerships
Edward Brice (LGC Fellow since 2024)
Director, Talent Analytics, Allstate
Kathleen St. Louis Caliento (LGC Fellow since 2020)
President & CEO, Cara Collective
Karen Glinert Carlson, Ph.D. (LGC Fellow since 1999)
Lecturer in Education, Lake Forest College
Ted Christians (LGC Fellow since 2008)
Executive Director | Amplify Chicago, The Academy Group, Inc.
Raven DeVaughn (LGC Fellow since 2025)
Director, Illinois Department of Central Management Services
Tara Dziengel (LGC Fellow since 2018)
Senior Vice President, Global Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, Northern Trust
Sol Flores (2011)
Chief Executive Officer, Knight Impact Partners
Marguerite Griffin (LGC Fellow since 2004)
Senior Vice President | Directory, Philanthropic Advisory Services, Northern Trust
S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby, Esq. (LGC Fellow since 2025)
Deputy Chief of Policy & Director of Legislative Affairs, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
Sharmeen Hawkins (LGC Fellow since 1996)
Managing Owner, Peridot Ardis Associates
Bruce Hopple (LGC Fellow since 1992)
Senior Vice President, Avison Young
Jennie Hull (LGC Fellow since 2024)
Chief Program Officer, Nourishing Hope
Mark Ishaug (Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Chief Executive Officer, Thresholds
Virgil Jones (LGC Fellow since 2007)
Broker, Coldwell Banker Realty
Ali Khan, MD, MPP (LGC Fellow since 2022)
Chief Medical Officer, Oak Street Health
Preston Kendall (LGC Fellow since 1997)
President, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep
Rev. Jesse Knox, III (LGC Fellow since 2001)
Senior Minister, Church of the Good Shepherd, Congregational, United Church of Christ
Denise Lam (LGC Fellow since 2010)
Senior Director of Solutions Development, JLL
Julieta Lamalfa (LGC Fellow since 2021)
Chief Financial Officer, Canela Media
Jeffrey Lewis (LGC Fellow since 1995)
Chief Compliance Officer, Sinclair Broadcast Group
Fred Long (LGC Fellow since 2019)
Vice President of Development and Government Affairs, UCAN
Jeanne Marsh, Ph.D. (LGC Fellow since 1986)
Professor, School of Social Service Administration, The University of Chicago
Carlton McGee, Sr. (LGC Fellow since 1990)
Owner, CM Capital Partners LLC
Jenné Myers (LGC Fellow since 2017)
Principal, The Golden Connect
Ed Miller (LGC Fellow since 2009)
Environmental Program Director, Joyce Foundation
Kafi Moragne-Patterson, Ph.D., MSW (LGC Fellow since 2022)
Senior Program Director, College & Career Success, UChicago Inclusive Economy Lab
Lydia Murray (LGC Fellow since 2012)
Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting
Ami Novoryta (LGC Fellow since 2021)
Chief Program Officer, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Jim Palos (LGC Fellow since 1991)
Executive Director, Hyde Park Institute
Bob Perkins (LGC Fellow since 1987)
Partner, Radar Pictures
Karen A. Reardon, JD, Ph.D (LGC Fellow since 1998)
University Ombuds Officer, Stockton University
Associate Professor, LaSalle University
Ricardo Rodriguez (LGC Fellow since 1985)
Vice President Sales & Marketing, Stericycle Inc.
Linda Shapiro (LGC Fellow since 1993)
Senior Vice President, Conlon & Dunn Public Strategies
James Sifuentes (LGC Fellow since 2003)
Senior Vice President, Mission and Community Development, Saint Anthony Hospital
Swathi Staley (LGC Fellow since 2023)
Partner, Just Act Partners
Elizabeth Swanson (LGC Fellow since 2006)
Chief Executive Officer, A Better Chicago
Juan Thomas (LGC Fellow since 2002)
Of Counsel, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.
LGC PARTNERS
Our partners help strengthen the region’s premiere civic leadership pipeline through sponsorship, collaborations and volunteering. Learn more about the benefits of partnering with LGC.
