CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2026 CLASS OF IMPACT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2026 CLASS OF IMPACT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

New Cohort Includes a Prominent Civil Rights Lawyer and the Program’s First Mortician

CHICAGO — The Chicago Urban League (CUL) announced the 12th class of its IMPACT Leadership Development Program. The 47 fellows, who represent a broad range of professions and backgrounds, were nominated by their employers and selected through a rigorous application process. The nine-month program provides mid-to-senior career professionals with the skills and networks needed to effectively lead both within their workplace and the greater Chicago community.

“For more than a decade, we have been inspired by the depth of talent from the individuals who apply for IMPACT – and especially by those who are ultimately selected,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “As we welcome this new class, we are excited to continue cultivating the leadership and vision of fellows who are committed to making meaningful contributions to the Chicago community as imagined by IMPACT’s Founder Andy Zopp.”

The IMPACT Leadership Development Program was created by Andrea “Andy” Zopp, J.D., in 2014 when she served as CEO of the Chicago Urban League. Zopp recognized an opportunity to invest in the next generation of business and civic leaders to serve Chicago and has continued to serve as a mentor for various cohorts over the program’s 11-year existence. Zopp currently serves as Senior Advisor for Legal and Business Affairs for the Chicago Bears and is a mentor for IMPACT.

This year’s cohort reflects more representation from people in academia and mental health professionals compared to previous years, as well as its first mortician, Valerie Calahan Taylor. Quinn Rallins J.D, a civil rights litigator at Loevy & Loevy, and Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlin, Executive Director of Live Free Illinois, will also join the 2026 class.

The program, which begins in September, is built around monthly, day-long classroom sessions led by prominent academics, subject matter experts and industry leaders. Each fellow is paired with a Chicago-area senior business or civic leader who serves as a mentor and provides one-on-one guidance on professional development as well as work-life balance and board engagement. Mentors from previous years included Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, J.D., President of Chicago State University; Mike Strautmanis, J.D., Executive VP of External Affairs at the Obama Foundation; Sidney Dillard, M.B.A., Head of the Corporate Investment Banking Division at Loop Capital; Baronica Roberson, CFO at Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; Kenya Merritt, Deputy Mayor for the City of Chicago; and Christy George, J.D., President and CEO of Intersect Illinois. IMPACT fellows also receive multiple leadership assessments throughout the program that help them learn how their existing professional habits can support and/or derail their highest professional selves.

Since its inception in 2014, IMPACT has brought together engaged professionals from a diverse range of sectors including corporate, government and nonprofit fields to build their professional skills, foster lasting connections with peers and prepare the next generation of leaders to shape Chicago.

In addition to corporate donors and other organizations, additional program partners include the MacArthur Foundation and the Chicago Community Trust.

The 2026 IMPACT fellows are:

Adebunmi Adeboje, Desktop Systems Engineer Lead, UChicago Medicine

Al Taylor, Sr. Manager, Retail Customer Logistics, Kenvue

Amber Spencer, Accounts Payable Director, Metra Railroad

Ana Agarrat, Director of People & Programs, AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits

Audrienna Lampkins, Assistant Director of Student Experience, Noble Schools

Brandle Blakely, Pharm.D., Interim Director, Center for Teaching & Research Excellence, Chicago State University

Brian Humphrey, Psy.D., CEO, Clinical and Prescribing Psychologist, Director of Clinical Training, PsychSynergy Behavioral Health

Brian Ingram, Associate Attorney, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP

Brittney Marshall, Partner Development Manager, Salesforce

Candice Burdette, Marketing Director, Salesforce

Carli Taylor, Managing Director, Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center, Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Chartise Clark, Managing Director, Managing Director

Christina Roman, Ph.D., Associate Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division

Christopher Balthazar, Ph.D., Executive Director, TaskForce Prevention and Community Services

Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Executive Director, Live Free Illinois

Cory Barnes, Director, Loyola University Chicago

David F. Hibbler, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life and Associate Dean of Students, The University of Chicago

Elizabeth Asare, Associate Director, Medical Education, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Grace Elizabeth Oxley, Director of Partnerships, One Million Degrees

James Mendez, Director of Policy, Cook County Assessor's Office

Janeen Mays, Director of Programs, Terra Firma, Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative

Jasmine Stratton, Senior Director of Safety and Security, Noble Schools

Jemelle Cunningham, Director, Employee and Workplace Relations, US Operations, AbbVie

Jillian Lenae Carew, Assistant Director of Targeted Student Support, Noble Schools

Johanes Maliza, Partner, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff

Johniece Ray, Chief of Staff, Braven

Joshua Mercer, Agency Owner, Joshua Mercer Insurance Agency

JuDonne Hemingway, Principal, Noble Schools, Gary Comer College Prep

Karron Hurks, Chief Executive Officer, Transformational Partner Consultants

Kimberly M. Williams, Senior Director of Operations, Erie Family Health Centers

Kirstin L. Jones, Vice President, Digital Marketing & Community Engagement, First Women's Bank

Kudzai B. Mutasa, Senior Marketing Consultant/ Fine Artist, Kudzai B. Mutasa Consulting

Kyra Lobbins, Chief of Staff, Adler University

Leia Lovely Bradford, Director of Human Resources, McCaffery Interests

Lola Jenkins, Interim Executive Director, Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago

Marion Malcome, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work

Marshana Pace, Managing Director, A Better Chicago

Maurice Tiner, Director, Advancement & External Affairs, LINK Unlimited Scholars

Michael Johns, Associate Dean of Student Services, City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S. Truman

Michelle Rashad, Executive Director, Imagine Englewood if...

Quinn K. Rallins, Civil Rights Attorney, Loevy & Loevy

Tanika Fitzgerald, Global Director - Human Intelligence, Mars Wrigley

Taylor Alston-Cleveland, Executive Director, Social & Video Content Strategy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Taylor Bishop, Director of External Affairs, Cook County Government

Tayo Hill, Director of Culture and Operations, The Nature Conservancy

Terrence Wilson, Manager, Cash & Collateral Services, HFS, The Northern Trust Company

Valerie Calahan Taylor, President, Calahan Funeral Home & Cremations, LLC

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