Jacqueline is an artist, activist, author, and social entrepreneur. With two decades of applying creative thinking to seemingly intractable real-world challenges, she is nationally recognized for her school reform efforts and her public art on progressive issues. She is the co-author of How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance.

She holds a BA & Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

Wayne Meisel is an ordained Presbyterian minister, AmeriCorps Chaplain, and the Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Service at McCormick Theological Seminary. He was formerly the Director of Faith and Service at the Cousins Foundation and the founding President of the Bonner Foundation. As a Presidential appointee to the Commission on National and Community Service, Wayne served as one of the architects of the AmeriCorps programs and also as a charter board member of Teach for America.

He holds a BA from from Harvard University.

Experienced private investment executive with a passion for creating process improvements and automation spanning capital raising, due diligence, portfolio management, investor servicing, accounting, compliance, ESG, and impact investing. He’s a global team builder in strategic partnerships, product management, marketing, and M&A. Robert’s sons survived the Highland Park shooting.

He holds a BA from Michigan State.

Lynn is a seasoned leader in the entertainment industry. Her passion is sharing stories and creating legendary events, radio productions, and photography exhibitions – all with an eye to social impact. Hear her weekly musings on WNUR and Live From the Heartland.

She holds a BA from Northern Illinois University and an MA in Arts and Entertainment from Columbia College.

Jay is passionate about harnessing storytelling and digital technology to uplift marginalized communities.

He is a BA Candidate in English at the University of Chicago ’26

Whether through film, journalism, or short fiction, Nick is passionate about uplifting community voice and driving change.

He is a BA Candidate in Creative Writing at the University of Chicago ‘26.

Rachel is a student leader in the gun violence prevention movement. She has worked at Giffords as a Finance Manager, served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Kuala Perlis, and the Finance and Compliance Coordinator EMILY’s List.

She holds a BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School

Gloria is committed to providing increased accessibility and justice for marginalized communities, and is eager to do so through supporting activism at the intersection of free expression and creativity.

She has graduated from the University of Chicago ’24 with a B.A. in Public Policy and Comparative Human Development and will be continuing at the Harris School to earn an M.A. in Public Policy.

Sholo is a mixed-media public artist, community organizer, and relentless activist for POC. Her work focuses on social change, especially racial equality and women’s rights. Her motto: “I Am Aware I Am Rare”

Kathryn is an award-winning photographer, bringing over two decades of experience in visual storytelling, graphic design, and social media management to the forefront of advocacy. She is dedicated to amplifying progressive voices in the relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and progress.

Ethan is a student activist focusing on the intersectionality of art, storytelling, and social justice. His nonprofit efforts have included domestic violence, Ukrainian refugees, & teen mental health.

He is a BA Candidate in Psychology at the University of Chicago ’26

Aydin is a high school junior, youth activist, and journalist fighting for equal rights and gun violence prevention. He currently serves as the Midwest Legislative Lead for Queer Youth Assemble and the Southern-Central Illinois Liaison for Students Demand Action. He elevates LGBTQ+ students on the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance Youth Advisory Board and has served on the first-ever national PBS Newshour Student Advisory Team. He promotes the voices of Gen Z activists through his social justice podcast, “We Are Generation Z.”

Matt has three decades of leadership experience in media and entrepreneurship, having founded and successfully exited two companies in Ed-Tech and Music. He became an activist in the gun violence movement after his brother was injured in the 1988 Hubbard Woods Elementary shooting.

He holds a BA from Miami University and an MBA from the University of Denver.

Jonathan is a nationally published editorial cartoonist, illustrator, developer, and current Director of the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts). He is a standing member of the National Cartoonist Society, the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, and the co-founder of The Drawing Board, an innovation and creativity consultancy. He is the Former Board President of the Art Center Highland Park, as well as the Chairman of the Cultural Arts Commission in Highland Park.

He holds a BA from George Washington University and an
MBA from Northeastern University.

Susan is an author, activist and Founding Director Emeritus of a 25 year old nonprofit the Entertainment Industry Incubator. She
currently heads Strategically Yours, a consulting practice providing business
insights for creative minds.

She holds a BA from George Washington University.

Dr. Susan Birne-Stone is a Systems Psychotherapist, Coach, Media Consultant, Producer, Speaker, Writer, and Professor. She has over 25 years of experience working with individuals and families in achieving their goals and navigating trauma.

She holds an Ph.d. from New York University and a MA from Syracuse University.

Joanne is an educator, author, consultant, speaker, and non-profit leader, primarily in the field of arts and culture management and marketing. She is the author of
Standing Room Only: Marketing Insights for Engaging Performing Arts Audiences and was a professor at Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

She holds an MBA from Northwestern School of Management, Kellogg, and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Charlie is a global ad agency creative director who became a gun violence prevention activist after his niece was shot to death by her ex-boyfriend. He is perhaps best known for his Gun Violence Prevention social media campaigns and producing the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.

He holds a BA from City Colleges of NYC.

David is a nationally respected and trusted expert in fundraising and nonprofit management and served as Vice President at Graham-Pelton Consulting. He helped found Seeds of Peace and was a Seminar Leader for Landmark Worldwide and a Lecturer at Princeton University.

He holds a BA from Brown University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Andrés is an author, HP City Councilman, and ESG, DEI & Sustainability expert. He brings 25 years of experience as a C-suite management consultant, diversity executive, organizational development and training professional, and journalist. He is the author of The Inclusion Paradox: The Obama Era and the Transformation of Global Diversity, and the co-author of Auténtico: The Definitive Guide to Latino Career Success and The Five Disciplines of Inclusive Leadership: Unleashing the Power of All of Us.

He holds a BA from Northwestern University.

Mark has been a union organizer, organizational development consultant, and human resource management executive. He has facilitated strategic planning and training to Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations, including teaching nonprofit management in the Organizational Behavior Program at Benedictine University. He also developed an international cadre of scientists and organizational experts, The Chaos Network, which explored the application of the science of chaos and complex systems to social systems. Mark is author of over 50 articles and book chapters, and the book, “The Quest for Fitness: A rational exploration into the new science of organization.”

He holds a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies and a Masters in Public Administration from Temple University.