
Dr. Caroline Adelman, PhD
Clinical Psychologist / Group Practice Founder / Teaching Faculty
“Navigating in Darkness: Stories of Resilience”
Dr. Adelman is the founder and Clinical Director of Chicago Psychotherapy, LLC, a private therapy practice specializing in evidence-based treatment of anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, trauma and adjustment-related concerns across the lifespan.

Caroline Dettman
Female Founder / Equity Consultant
“In Times of Crisis, Does America Have Her Back?”
“In my work to advance gender equity I’ve found that the far majority of people have the best of intentions. My life’s work is helping turn those intentions into intentionality – and the potential impact is epic: progress not just for women, not just for business…but for all.”

Cara Greene Epstein
Film and Theatre Artist / Educator
“It’s Not the End, It’s Just an Intermission”
Cara Greene Epstein is not a doctor, but she has played one on TV. An award-winning actor, writer, and theatre arts educator, Cara uses heart and humor to explore challenging inter-personal dynamics and societal issues.

Rodrigo Garcia
Chief Investor and Economic Systems Innovator
“The People Within Economies”
Rodrigo Garcia, CTP®, AIF® is the deputy state treasurer and chief investment officer for Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs.

Alison Henderson
Body Language Expert
“Digital Body Language: Conquering Online Meetings”
With over two decades of training and teaching movement, Alison has developed proven strategies for improving body language signals you give to others and for reading body language signals others give to you. As one of twenty six Certified Movement Pattern Analysts in the world, Alison combines her unique specialty with an engaging, energetic style which brings clients back and keeps them motivated to their success.

Dr. Ben Levy, M.D.
Doctor / Cellist / Founder of Refugee Clinic
“Motivating Health Education With Music”
Dr. Benjamin Levy is Division Head of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai and Holy Cross Hospitals in Chicago where he provides medical care and colonoscopy screenings for underserved patient populations. Levy’s global interests extend to both public health and the arts.

Dr. O. Okanlami, M.D., M.S.
Doctor / Disability Advocate
“Double Dose of Disparity: Identity and Inclusion during COVID-19″
Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine & Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Director of Adaptive Sports in Michigan Center for Human Athletic Medicine and Performance at Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan.

Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau
Entrepreneur / Innovator
“An Entrepreneur’s Guide In Times of Crisis”
Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau is an entrepreneur and a citizen of the world. He owns and operates Dimo’s Pizza, a local favorite in Chicago, Illinois.

Megan Cairns Tress
Nurse Practitioner / Communication Activist
“Connected Isolation and Health”
Megan Cairns Tress, MSN, FNP-C, RN is a Family Nurse Practitioner at PCC Community Wellness Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center network on Chicago’s West Side. She is also a clinical instructor at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing. In times of pandemic, she has discovered her talent for organizing and has tackled the issue of hospital no-visitor policies head on with a simple intervention- a cell phone charger.

Kambium Buckner
State Representative and Dissenter
“From Bronzeville to the Gold Coast – Local Leadership Amidst Disasters”
Kam Buckner is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 26th district. The district, located entirely in the city of Chicago, includes Bronzeville, Douglas, Downtown, Gold Coast, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Near South Side, River North, South Chicago, South Shore, and Woodlawn.

Sasha Duchnowski
Food System Re-Designer / Global Agriculture Strategist
“Where did all the Flour Go? Supply Chains and Covid”
Sasha Duchnowski is a partner at Bain & Company, the global management consultancy. He is a leading expert in the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources, Sustainability, and Strategy practices.
Since joining Bain in 2004, Sasha has honed deep expertise across the energy & natural resources sphere, especially within agribusiness. He has advised clients around the world on a variety of strategic and operational topics across the food supply chain, including crop production and distribution, fertilizers and other crop inputs, animal nutrition and protein, and food processing.

Nora Flanagan
Educator / Instigator / Parent
“What We Learn When School Can’t Stop”
Nora Flanagan has been teaching high school English in the Chicago Public Schools for over 20 years. Born and raised on the South Side, educated at the University of Illinois at Chicago on the Near West Side, and now living and teaching on the North Side, Nora considers all of Chicago her neighborhood.

Brooke Hartman, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Traumatologist
“Disaster, Recovery, and Hope”
Brooke is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trained in International Social Work and Disaster Mental Health, and has about 8 professional lives happening simultaneously, including a small counseling practice in Chicago,

Cécile Shea
Diplomat / Big Thinker
“What’s my Government Ever Done for me?”
Cécile Shea is President of Wakaru Consulting LLC and is a Non-resident Senior Fellow on Security and Diplomacy at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Prof. Joshua Kleinfeld
Lawyer and Political Philosopher
“Democracy and the Pandemic”
Joshua Kleinfeld is a professor of law and philosophy at Northwestern University. His work focuses on the theory and practice of democracy, particularly in criminal law, where he is a founding figure in the movement to democratize American criminal justice. He received the Paul M. Bator Award, given annually to one legal scholar under the age of 40 for excellence in scholarship, teaching, and public impact.

Tanya Lozano
Activist / Dancer / Founder of Healthy Hood Chicago
“Activating Communities During Crisis”
Forged in the heart of Chicago, Tanya Lozano is an activist, health advocate and community architect battling the many challenges affecting black and brown communities.

Katie Rich
SNL Writer / Performer / Television Producer
“How to Laugh During a Pandemic”
Katie Rich attended Northwestern University before joining Chicago’s Second City where she wrote and performed three Mainstage reviews, including the critically acclaimed “South Side of Heaven.”