Seventh class of Edgar Fellows announced
Friday, August 3, 2018
Seventh class of Edgar Fellows announced
A group of 40 emerging leaders from across Illinois has been selected to be part of the seventh annual Edgar Fellows Program and will gather in Champaign from Aug. 5-9. The Edgar Fellows Program is an initiative designed by former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to inspire respectful and collaborative leadership to address the state’s major challenges.
The men and women selected this year (listed below) were chosen from a field of 168 nominees and reflect Illinois' political, racial, ethnic and geographic diversity. They include elected and appointed officials from all levels of government, leaders of non-profit organizations, and individuals who are making their mark in the business world.
“The Edgar Fellows Program brings together people from all over Illinois, people with different backgrounds, different politics, and different heritage. But what we have learned over the six years we’ve had this program is that these people learn they have more in common than they have differences,” said Edgar, who launched the program in 2012. “People who were strangers on Sunday become good friends by Thursday. As they leave, it is gratifying to watch them exchanging contact information and making plans to see each other again soon. This is what the program is all about, finding common ground and respect for each other so that, as they advance in their leadership careers, they can help shape a better Illinois.”
The Edgar Fellows week includes an intense executive training program designed and hosted by Edgar and the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs. The fellows will engage with more than two dozen policy experts and experienced practitioners. But most importantly, they will learn from each other in discussions of issues such as economic development, health care, education, and intergovernmental cooperation.
The 2018 class will bring the number of fellows who have completed the program to 272. Fellows continue to meet at least twice each year in alumni gatherings designed to increase their knowledge and help build their professional networks.
The Edgar Fellows Program is funded by donations from a diverse group of individuals, organizations and companies interested in promoting competent, ethical and solution-oriented leadership in Illinois. An advisory board chaired by Alexander Lerner, the chief executive officer of the Illinois State Medical Society, helps to guide the program. Other board members are:
- MarySue Barrett, president of the Metropolitan Planning Council
- Mark Boozell, government policy advisor in the Dykema law firm
- Kirk Brown, a director of Hanson Professional Services and former Illinois secretary of transportation
- Kevin Callis, vice president for operations of State Farm
- Miguel del Valle, former state senator and Chicago city clerk
- Julian D’Esposito, retired partner in the Mayer Brown LLP law firm
- Jason Francque, director of U. S. government affairs, John Deere
- Allen Grosboll, legislative director, Environmental Law and Policy Center
- Carter Hendren, Hendren Taylor Consulting, former chief of staff for the Illinois Senate Republicans
- Mike Lawrence, former director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University and former press secretary and senior adviser to Governor Jim Edgar
- Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General
- Felicia Norwood, executive vice president and president government business division, Anthem, Inc., and former director of the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services
- Howard A. Peters III, HAP Incorporated, who was the first secretary of the Department of Human Services
- Mark Peterson, president of Business Development for Bridgeview Bank
- Sylvia Puente, executive director of the Latino Policy Forum
- James Reilly, chairman, Illinois Capital Development Board and independent consultant on regional projects
- Gene Reineke, chief executive officer of Hawthorne Strategy Group
- Robin Steans, chair, Steans Family Foundation, and former executive director of Advance Illinois
- John Varones, managing principal of Systima Capital Management
Edgar Fellows Class of 2018
Alma Anaya, Chicago, Cook County Commissioner-Elect, 7th District
Kristopher Anderson, Chicago, state and local government consultant and former manager, U. S. government relations, McDonald’s Corporation
State Senator Omar Aquino, Chicago
Amy Barry, Springfield, director of communications and public affairs, Illinois Senate Republican staff
State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Shorewood
Nathaniel Brown, Fairview Heights, academic co-director, Study of the U. S. Institute for Student Leaders
Helena Buckner, Decatur, commissioner, Macon County Board
Nicole Budzinski, Chicago, senior advisor, JB for Governor Campaign
Beniamino Capellupo, Chicago, executive director, SEIU Illinois State Council
Jeffrey DeHaan, Lakewood, senior wealth advisor and chief compliance officer, Clearwater Capital Partners, LLC
Courtney Eccles, Chicago, director of Secure Choice Program for Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
Charles Feinen, Champaign, counsel, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
State Representative La Shawn Ford, Chicago
State Senator Dale Fowler, Harrisburg
Magdalena Fudalewicz, Chicago, manager, Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation and chief of staff for Alderman Gilbert Villegas
Emily Gibellina, Oak Park, director of government relations, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System
State Representative LaToya Greenwood, East St. Louis
State Representative Mike Halpin, Rock Island
Frank Haney, Rockford, chairman, Winnebago County Board
State Representative Sonya Harper, Chicago
Sarah Hartwick, Chatham, executive director, ED-RED
Richard Irvin, mayor of Aurora
Ra Joy, Chicago, recent candidate for lieutenant governor with Chris Kennedy and former executive director of CHANGE Illinois
Staci Mayall, Canton, treasurer of Fulton County
Steven McClure, Springfield, Republican nominee for state senator in 50th District and former assistant state’s attorney of Sangamon County
Thomas McNamara, mayor of Rockford
Aaron Ortiz, Chicago, Democratic nominee for state representative in 1st District
Mark Pietrowski, Jr., Cortland, chairman, DeKalb County Board
Delia Ramirez, Chicago, Democratic nominee for state representative in 4th District
Prashanthi Rao Raman, Chicago, director of global policy, Lyft, Inc.
Chasse Rehwinkel, Chicago, chief economist, Illinois State Comptroller’s office
Bria Scudder, Chicago, senior government and community liaison, office of Illinois Attorney General, and program director for ColorComm, LLC – Chicago Chapter
Catie Sheehan, Springfield, vice chairman, Sangamon County Board
Mariyana Spyropoulos, Chicago, president, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Brad Stotler, Peoria, district director for U. S. Congressman Darin LaHood
Curtis Tarver II, Chicago, Democratic candidate for state representative in 25th District
Jennifer Walling, Chicago, executive director, Illinois Environmental Council
Brandon Zanotti, Marion, state’s attorney of Williamson County
Sarah Zehr, Savoy, assistant vice president for academic affairs, University of Illinois
Michael Ziri, Chicago, director of public policy, Equality Illinois