CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2027 CLASS OF THE IMPACT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM


CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2027 CLASS OF THE IMPACT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

37 Fellows Bring Expertise Spanning Quantum Computing, AI Governance, Veterinary Science, Finance, Medicine, Education, Law and Civic Leadership


The Chicago Urban League (CUL) announced the 2027 class of its IMPACT Leadership Development Program, welcoming 37 accomplished professionals whose work spans some of the most consequential institutions, industries, and issues shaping Chicago. The fellows were nominated by their employer and selected through a rigorous application process. The nine-month program equips mid-career professionals with the skills and networks needed to lead effectively — both within their workplace and across the greater Chicago community.


The 13th IMPACT cohort represents 36 organizations across the corporate, nonprofit, philanthropic, government, education and entrepreneurial sectors. Only one organization is represented by more than one Fellow, giving this year’s class an especially broad range of institutional perspectives.


The Chicago Urban League also extends its deep appreciation to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust for their continued investment in and sponsorship of IMPACT. Their longstanding support has helped sustain a leadership development platform that brings accomplished professionals across sectors into deeper relationships with Chicago, with one another and with the responsibility of leading the city forward.


The Fellows are already leading work in fields as varied as renter protections, city budgeting, banking and investment, quantum computing, artificial intelligence governance, education philanthropy, medicine, animal welfare, workforce development, law, aviation, design and higher education. 


"Every IMPACT class offers a glimpse into where leadership is happening across Chicago, and this class reminds us that leadership is not concentrated in any single sector or institution,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “These 37 Fellows are already influencing how people learn and access opportunity. We're excited to watch them sharpen their vision and carry that leadership back into the communities and organizations they serve."


Other Fellows work directly inside systems central to life in Chicago, including renter protections, municipal budgeting, state government, workforce development, K through 12 education, higher education, banking, philanthropy and medicine. 


“What excites me about this class is the range of problems they are close enough to actually solve,” said Kafi Moragne-Patterson, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Leadership Programming and Philanthropy and Executive Director of IMPACT. “We have Fellows working on renter protections, public budgets, quantum computing and more. These are people who would not ordinarily spend nine months learning alongside one another, and that is precisely the point. IMPACT is at its best when expertise that rarely occupies the same room gets to challenge, inform and sharpen one another. I cannot wait to see what these 37 leaders build together.”


Education continues to be a significant thread within IMPACT, with Fellows working across elementary and secondary education, university administration, medical education, college access and completion, and education philanthropy. The cohort also includes a strong group of entrepreneurs, founders, owners, principals and managing partners whose work spans design, law, strategy, investment and community development. 


Among them is Jasmine Knowles, Director of The 1954 Project at The CAFE Group, an initiative that makes significant unrestricted investments in nonprofit education leaders. The class also includes leaders from JPMorganChase, BMO, Wintrust Bank, United Airlines, Salesforce, the MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago State University, the University of Illinois System and multiple City and State of Illinois agencies. 


Since its launch in 2014, IMPACT has developed a network of 500 leaders working throughout Chicago’s corporate, civic and nonprofit landscape. The nine-month leadership development experience combines intensive learning, executive mentorship, leadership assessment, civic engagement and relationship building designed to strengthen how Fellows lead both within their institutions and across Chicago. 


The 2027 IMPACT fellows are:


Adam Smith, Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice


Amber O'Donoghue, Vice President, Strategy, JPMorganChase

Andrew Berdin, Director, BMO


Brian James, Program Director, Renter Protections, City of Chicago, Department of Housing

Camille Richardson, Senior Director, People and Operations, City Year Inc.


Cynthia Johnson, Deputy Director, Illinois Office of Communication and Information, Illinois Department of Central Management Services


Danielle Berry, EdD, Assistant Principal, Murray Language Academy, Chicago Public Schools

Danielle Wallace, Executive Director, Kingdom Avenue Inc.


Dennis Barrett, Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, City of Chicago Office of Budget and Management


Ebone White, Senior Assistant Director, Project Delivery, System Office of Capital, Utilities & Real Estate, University of Illinois System


Erica Frazier, Vice President, Relationship Manager, BMO


Erica Normand, Branch Manager, Wintrust Bank


Fredrick "TJ" Joshua, Principal Attorney, Joshua Law Group


Jaclyn Jackson, Chief Administrative Officer, National Equity Fund


Jasmine Knowles, Director, The 1954 Project, The CAFE Group


Jason Carter, Vice President of Legal Affairs, Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel, Chicago State University


Jennifer Ollie, Executive Director, America Needs You


JoeAnna Hargrove, DVM, Shelter Veterinarian, Anti Cruelty Society


Juatise Gathings, Managing Partner, Just Act Partners


Justeen Robinson, Program Officer, Workforce Development, Steans Family Foundation


Kia A. Sutton, PharmD, Vice President, Business Development, Infrastructure Engineering Inc.


Kia Benion, Senior Manager, Engagement Delivery, Salesforce


Lauryn Scott, Director, Operations and Strategic Initiatives, University of Illinois System


Leah N. Fulton, PhD, Vice President, Programs, Chicago Scholars


Leah Y. Castleberry, Program Officer, Technology in the Public Interest, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation


Maurice "Mo" Green IV, Head of Market Development, Government, and Community Affairs, PsiQuantum


Myles Brady Davis, Director of Communications, Equality Illinois


Nathan Miller, Founder and Steward, TABLES Project LLC


Nikisha Ramsey, Director, Early Careers and Talent Partnerships, United Airlines


Patricia Jjemba, Esq., General Counsel, Illinois Prisoner Review Board


Paviella Foster, EdD, Senior Vice President, Prevention and Empowerment, UCAN


Peter Bamikole, MD, Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University


Shavon Francis, Founder and Principal Designer, Fleurish Chicago


Tiffany Newbern Johnson, Principal and Owner, TNJ Strategies, LLC


Toney Howell, Assistant Head of School, The Ancona School


Xavier Mann, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, One Million Degrees


Zachary Addy, Managing Partner, Clover Ventures


About the IMPACT Leadership Development Program  

Founded in 2014, the Chicago Urban League’s IMPACT Leadership Development Program prepares accomplished mid to senior career professionals to expand their leadership capacity, deepen their understanding of Chicago and strengthen the relationships necessary to lead across sectors. Fellows participate in an intensive nine-month experience that includes executive mentorship, executive leadership development with elite academic institutions, a civic action capstone, and opportunities to build lasting relationships with leaders throughout Chicago.


About the Chicago Urban League

Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League works to achieve equity for Black families and communities through social and economic empowerment. We help people find jobs and establish careers, become homeowners, enhance their educational experiences, strengthen their leadership skills, and grow their businesses. As one of the oldest and largest affiliates of the National Urban League, we promote strong, sustainable communities through advocacy, innovation, and collaborative community, corporate and civic relationships. For more information, visit www.ChiUL.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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