The Fellows who make up the University of Chicago Leadership and Society Initiative form one of the world’s most accomplished cohorts. But what truly distinguishes the Fellows is their commitment to harnessing their experiences toward building a better world.  

LSI Fellows are brought together by their shared history of successful leadership and determination to accomplish even more. Fellows form bonds that help to sustain, motivate, and guide them throughout their career encores. They become better acquainted with one another, the campus, and the city through community activities like lunches, campus events, and joining the Quadrangle Club, the historic membership club for faculty, staff, and community members. 

We are thrilled to welcome our 2025–2026 cohort. Over the past year, more than 800 leaders submitted candidacies for our LSI Imagine and Design Pathways from a diverse array of sectors. The selected Fellows are joining a vibrant and expanding community of changemakers who are redefining what it means to lead with purpose and to create meaningful next chapters for themselves and for society.

Meet our 2025-26 Design Pathway Fellows

Dixie Adams

Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Americas
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Deborah Alexander

Founder, Deborah Alexander Attorney at Law
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Erika Allen

CEO of Urban Growers Collective; President of Green ERA Educational NFP; Co-Owner of Green Era Sustainability Partners
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Robert Espinoza

Distinguished Fellow and Senior Advisor, National Academy of Social Insurance
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Mark Gossett

Former Chief Risk Officer, Northern Trust Corporation
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Elizabeth Higgins-Beard

Former CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA
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Dev Jain

Principal, RSP Architects and CEO, Alexander Design Consultants
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Rich Klawiter

Senior Counsel, DLA Piper
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Rénu Kulkarni

Managing Partner, Kulkarni Associates
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Gil Latz

Professor and Board Director, Waseda University; Leadership Fellow, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
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Latanya Mapp

Former President and CEO, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
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Jay Mesrobian

Former National Medical Director and Chief Clinical Officer-Anesthesiology, TeamHealth
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Bob Oros

Former Chairman & CEO, Hightower Advisors
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Rita Sadhvani

Former Director, Amazon
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John Sandwick

Vice President, Consumer Acquisition, [24]7.ai
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Susan Stone

Former Executive Vice President & General Counsel, CNA
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Jennifer Vachon

Former Executive Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
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Warren Whitlock

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Army; Former Associate Administrator, Federal Highway Administration; Advisory Board Member, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab
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John Yerger

CEO, Eden Park Illumination
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Michael Zimmerman

Former Executive Vice President, ITW Board Chair, Chicago Botanic Garden
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Meet our 2025-26 Activate Fellows

The Leadership & Society Initiative (LSI) Activate Pathway is designed to support LSI alumni in continuing to strengthen their Purpose Plans and activate their next chapters for a second year after completing the LSI Fellowship. The Activate Fellowship offers deepened focus and further engagement with University resources as Fellows bring their visions for future leadership from concept to reality.

Headshot of Fellow Kurt Cherry

Kurt Roger Cherry

CEO, Fertile Ground
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Headshot image of Fellow Constance Filling

Constance Filling

Chief Learning Officer, Association of American Medical Colleges
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Headshot of Fellow Katrin Klingenberg

Katrin Klingenberg

Co-Founder & Executive Director, Phius
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Headshot of Fellow Pamela Narins

Pamela Narins

Former Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning, Bader Rutter
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Headshot of Fellow M. von Nkosi

M. von Nkosi

Founding President and CEO, Institute for Local Innovations; Founding President, Liquid Studios
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Headshot of Fellow Raymond Stainback

Raymond Stainback

Former Chief of Non-Invasive Cardiology, Texas Heart Institute; Past President, American Society of Echocardiography
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LSI Invites Candidacies for our 2026-2027 Cohort

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