Who We Are
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans has a disability, yet individuals with disabilities are vastly underrepresented in professional and civic leadership roles. ADA 25 Advancing Leadership has a bold strategy and groundbreaking programs—the first of their kind in the nation—for bringing greater disability inclusion to tables of power and influence in the Chicago region.
What We Do
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ADA 25 Advancing Leadership is creating a Chicago region where people with disabilities:
- LEAD—Our Civic Connections Project increases the number of people with disabilities in professional and civic leadership positions.
- CONNECT—Our Members Network provides mentoring, support, and ongoing civic engagement opportunities for leaders with disabilities.
- GROW—Our Leadership Institute is a year-long leadership development program for emerging leaders with disabilities.

200+ Civic Advancements

142 Members and Fellows

Vision And Mission
OUR VISION: People with disabilities leading with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity as a vital part of the civic fabric in the Chicago region.
OUR MISSION: To increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities — consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Board of Directors
Officers
- Mary Anderson (Interim President), AARP
- Kenton Klaus (Vice President), Deloitte and DePaul University
- Chad Turner* (Treasurer), Bank of America
- John Tuhey* (Secretary), The Tuhey Law Firm LLC
Members
- Adam Burke, Microsoft
- Andrés Gallegos*, Robbins, Salomon & Patt, Ltd.
- Anna Lee, The Chicago Community Trust
- Lora Laverty, CDW Corporation
- Ann Manikas*, American Medical Association
- Karen Tamley*, Access Living
*Denotes Advancing Leadership Member
Program Committee
Chair
- Ann Manikas*, American Medical Association Chicago
Members
- Azeema Akram*, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Laurie Dittman, City of Chicago
- Bob Eichinger, The Chicago Community Trust
- Cheryl Farney*, Trilogy, Inc.
- Daisy Feidt*, Access Living
- Joanie Friedman, University of Chicago - Office of Civic Engagement
- Tsehaye Geralyn Hebert*, Playwright
- Brian Heyburn*, Ph.D. Student in Disability Studies
- Melissa Reishus, Seaglass Group
- Jewel Holly Ware*, Jewels of Success
*Denotes Advancing Leadership Member
Staff
- Emily Blum, Executive Director
- Robin Burnett, Director, Education and Operations
- Risa Jaz Rifkind, Director, Civic Engagement and Marketing
- Alexandra Perez-Garcia, Associate Director, Development and Communications