Theme: Hindsight 20/20

A year in reflection - the lessons learned and the path forged forward.

Rush University Medical Center
1725 West Harrison Street
Searle Conference Center, Room 542 Brainard
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
United States

Brittany Sherell

Brittany is a Power-Packed Corporate Leadership Trainer, Coach and Author who helps Corporate Leaders Live with More Meaning and Lead with More Confidence. Brittany is known for her high-energy, engaging approach to learning and development. Her practical approaches to achieving results are easy to incorporate without ever getting overwhelmed. Beyond her business, Brittany spends time loving on her close-knit family, two fur babies, and trying new coffee blends.

Christopher Gross

Christopher “CJ” Gross is an international Organizational Development Consultant specializing in diversity & inclusion with 18 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, local and national nonprofits, and government agencies. CJ utilizes his background in engineering and his unique ability to deeply engage with his clients to uncover and resolve cultural as well as system issues that hinder employee performance and efficiency. He also serves as a Business Management, Adjunct Faculty for the Community College of Baltimore County.

Edward Young

Edward G. Young III is a poet, author, and internationally acclaimed public speaker originally hailing from the gritty, blue-collar town of Gary, Indiana. From an early age, Edward has understood the power of words and allowed himself to harness their strength via both the page and the stage. Having survived a near fatal broken neck injury, Edward also practices mindfulness and inner-strength techniques, which have helped him to develop the mindset necessary to breakthrough and overcome any difficult situations he has faced. As a further means of therapy, Edward turned toward sharing his story with the world and connecting with individuals from all walks of life. He is fueled by his desire to inspire, while also encouraging others to openly embrace and overcome the many challenges life brings.

Kristen Evans

Kristen Evans is an award-winning insights researcher and strategist, championing the voice of the consumer in product innovation companies, social institution businesses, and marketing, advertising and media. A Chicago native, University of Michigan and Gonzaga University graduate, Kristen emphasizes the art and science of “connecting the dots” -- using social sciences (history, sociology, psychology, economics) and storytelling to understand and build relationships between people, cultures, experiences and entities. She is currently the Executive Director of Accounts as well as the Director of Research & Insights at an independent advertising agency. She is a national guest lecturer in marketing and communications, an instructor in business and entrepreneurship education, and a pro-bono consultant to arts & culture nonprofits. As a well-being ambassador, Evans combined her kinesiology degree, Pilates certification, and dance background with her consumer research, business and marketing experience to create The Strength & Grace Group, an insights-driven wellness company / think tank that explores the intersection of history & culture, physiology and behavior and stress & burnout, especially among black people. Evans is on the Board of Directors for Forward Momentum Chicago Dance, a 2021 IMPACT Leadership Development Program Fellow (The Chicago Urban League in partnership with Chicago Booth School of Business), and a Management Leadership of Tomorrow alumni. Her awards include: David Ogilvy Award (American Research Foundation), Outstanding Consultant of the Year (Arts & Business Council of Chicago), Product Innovation of the Year (Procter & Gamble), Multicultural Shopper Marketing of the Year (Target Corporation).

Serita Love

Serita Love is a Chicago native, mom, author, and Personal Brand Strategist who educates by combining "book and street" smarts. As the founder of Success Junkie™, she provides tools and resources that inspire excellence. She is a Relational, Group, and Organizational professional who has a background that includes: Community Outreach, Special Events, Personal Brand Strategy and Integrated Marketing Communications. While working specifically with the youth and socially enterprising professionals to attain their personal and professional goals, Serita pushes most people beyond their own personal barriers, so they can get out into the world and become the person they deserve to be. By implementing personal branding, marketing and success strategies,she ensures achievement to anyone committed to win in life.

Tahaji Felder

Born in Stamford, Connecticut and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Tahaji Felder had no plans on becoming a social entrepreneur. Equipped with a Master’s in International Business from NSU under her arm, a love for design, and empowering youth, she made a conscious decision to go beyond the status quo, say yes to her dream, & launch Goose & Gander Brand in 2015. She launched the brand after a long career in finance and getting laid off from jobs as an accountant. Her life’s passion is to empower others to tap into their own, do more of what they love, and live their purpose. Along with the brand, she now works for the nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, which puts entrepreneurship classes in schools across the country. With no formal entrepreneurial experience, she has used persistence and commitment to fuel her journey. Tahaji has worked closely with various nonprofits in South Florida and has shared her early entrepreneurial journey to help others through various features. Her motto is: “Life is too short not to go the unpaved route!” Fear is the #1 dream killer & Tahaji believes life is meant to be lived, not drudged through.

Tooka Zokaie

What is population health? While there are multiple definitions, it often includes elements of eliminating disease and health disparities by intersecting the overlapping factors that influence health. Tooka Zokaie is a Certified Public Health Professional and the Manager for Fluoridation and Preventive Health Activities at the American Dental Association. Her work includes educating and collaborating with community leaders on public health topics including community water fluoridation, tobacco cessation, school-based oral health, interprofessional collaboration, and nutrition. Her work integrates the importance of oral health when addressing total health questions. Her advocacy extends to the larger idea of “Health in All Policies” in order to empower intersectional leaders to make decisions with the lens of population health. Ms. Zokaie is a liaison to the CDC’s Community Preventive Services Task Force, completed her Masters in Public Health at University of California, Davis School of Medicine, and is a current Masters in Population Health Management Candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Toya Webb

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Dr. Toya Webb is a systems’ disrupter, status quo killer and social justice advocate. In her recently published study on racial microaggressions, Dr. Webb explores the impact of commonly held stereotypes while amplifying the voices of African-American women in leadership. A fervent speaker and certified professional life coach, Dr. Webb is a recipient of numerous awards including a YWCA leadership award in Communications and Technology; she has been named one of the Best Under 40 by the Kane County Chronicle and is recognized as a mover and shaker (40 under 40) by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. With a combined passion for higher education and storytelling, Dr. Webb, a former news reporter, serves as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at an Illinois community college and is a member of the Diversity and Equity Committee with the Public Relations Society of America. Dr. Webb has a zeal for reaching the most vulnerable populations, enjoys being a mentor, and is dedicated to helping others find their purpose. She is married to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mom to three sons.