ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Announces 2017 Fellows Class

Media Contact: Emily Harris
eharris@cct.org
312.616.8000

CHICAGO – October 21, 2016 – ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, announced the 2017 Fellows Class at Chicagoland Business Leadership Network’s Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit this morning hosted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. These 18 competitively selected emerging leaders with disabilities will participate in a Leadership Institute retreat in January and March of 2017.

“In ADA 25 Advancing Leadership’s second year, we are delighted to see the level of interest by applicants with disabilities and the commitment from the wider community to appoint our Members to boards, commissions and task forces,” Steve Solomon, Vice President of Corporate Relations, Exelon, said. “We welcome the 2017 Fellows to our network and know this diverse group holds great promise for the future of the Chicago region.”

The ADA 25 Advancing Leadership 2017 Fellows:

•  • Tiffany Askew
  Ombudsman Program Manager, Access Living
•  • Adam Ballard
  Manager of Organizing and Policy, Access Living
•  • Kimberly Brown
  Senior Business Analyst, Commonwealth Edison
•  • Kevin D’Ambrosio
  Office Supervisor, Faithful+Gould
•  • Cheryl Farney
  Certified Recovery Support Specialist and Medical Social Assistant, UIC
•  • Bridget Hayman
  Director of Digital Content Marketing, Easterseals
•  • Tsehaye Geralyn Hebert
  Playwright
•  • Brian Heyburn
  Doctoral Candidate, Disability Studies, UIC
•  • Esther Lee
  Co-Founder, Able Community
  Attorney, Disability Law Collective
•  • Michele Lee
  Finance Senior Administrator, International Treasury, Aon Corporation
•  • Veronica Lozano
  Women, Infant, Youth, Children Ryan White Case Manager, Howard Brown Health
•  • Norma Jane Mejias
  Doctoral Candidate, Disability Studies, UIC
•  • Chaitanya Manchanda
  Cyber Security Professional, Discover Financial Services
•  • Risa Jaz Rifkind
  Program Associate, The Chicago Community Trust
•  • Margaret Sugrue
  Community Relations Professional, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
•  • Chad Turner
  Vice President, Finance & Business Manager, JPMorgan Chase
•  • Caity-Shea Violette
  Manager of Marketing and Communications, Thresholds
•  • Mark Williams
  Grants Manager, United Way

About ADA 25 Advancing Leadership

ADA 25 Advancing Leadership is a legacy project of ADA 25 Chicago. ADA 25 Chicago was a signature initiative of the Chicago Community Trust commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2015 and leveraging the milestone to ensure greater inclusion, empowerment and opportunities for people with disabilities. Our mission is to build a pipeline and network of leaders with disabilities who are deeply engaged in the civic life of the Chicago region and advancing in their careers—consistent with the promise of the ADA. This diversity, equity and inclusion program is the first of its kind in the nation. The leadership program also includes a Civic Connections Project and Members Network. In addition to The Chicago Community Trust, support is provided by Exelon, BMO Harris and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. For more information about ADA 25 Advancing Leadership visit www.ada25chicago.org.