Chicago Global Shapers

01/20/2025

🚨 The Shred the Debt campaign is LIVE NOW through May 2025! 🚨

We have the chance to help eliminate millions of burdensome medical debt in our Chicagoland communities, and we need YOU! 💪

Here’s how you can get involved:

👉 Donate via the link in our bio! 💰 Every bit counts!

📢 Spread the word by sharing with your networks.

❤️ Offer your expertise, space, or connections to help us make a bigger impact.

✨ Join us at Portillo’s in the South Loop this Wednesday from 5-8pm! 🍔 a % of proceeds from in person or online orders using our flyer or code will directly contribute to the cause. Come out and support! 🙌

01/13/2025

We’re one week out from launch and things just got even more exciting! ✨

This is your chance to create real, life-changing impact. Every dollar goes further than ever before.

💥 Don’t wait—click the link in our bio to learn more and get ready to join us in making a difference. Let’s crush debt together! 💪✨

01/06/2025

💙 LET’S SHRED MEDICAL DEBT TOGETHER! 💙

We’re on a mission to erase $1 MILLION in debt, and YOU can help make it happen!

✨ The Launch Date of the Shred the Debt campaign is officially TWO weeks away, beginning on January 20th!

🌭As a reminder, join us at Portillo’s on January 22nd to make a difference while enjoying great food! Sales from order(s) will directly contribute to the campaign. Check out our pinned post with the details!

01/03/2025

✨ Imagine turning $1 into $100 of hope. ✨

We’re on a mission to transform lives in Chicagoland by eliminating medical debt—because no one should have to choose between their health and their finances.

🌟 The campaign kicks off January 20, 2025. Let’s make an impact, one dollar at a time.

💙 Ready to be part of the change? Click the link in our bio to learn more.

11/15/2024

Meet Hannah Caplan, Events & Capacity Building Co-Chair for 2024-2025.

Hannah is a Human Capital Consultant at Deloitte. Her focuses include people strategy and skills-based solutions across industries. Hannah is passionate about improving her communities, particularly through workforce development and education.

She is a mentor through HFS Chicago Scholars and previously tutored a first-grade Chicago Public School student through Tutoring Chicago.

Prior to joining Deloitte, Hannah graduated from Northwestern University with a double major in Social Policy and Statistics and a minor in Business Institutions. On campus, she was president of a nonprofit consulting student club.

Follow this page to meet more Shapers and keep up with hub initiatives!

11/08/2024

Meet Francesca Galuppo, Events & Capacity Building Co-Chair for 2024-2025.

Francesca brings a blend of leadership, strategic thinking, and a passion for impact. She has demonstrated her expertise in driving operational efficiency with a background in change management throughout Financial Services, Technology, and ESG. Her leadership capabilities are highlighted by her successful management of large teams and budgets, significant contributions to e-commerce product launches, and efforts to reorganize major food banks to combat food insecurity.

Having lived in Chicago for the past two years, Francesca is happy to call this vibrant city her home. With extensive experience in consulting and project management, she excels in navigating complex challenges. As a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, she is dedicated to leveraging innovation for social good, aligning with missions of digital accessibility and inclusivity. Her enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology reflects her commitment to contributing to companies at the forefront of innovation.

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11/01/2024

Meet Lena Jennings, Impact Officer for 2024-2025.

Lena Jennings is a master data storyteller, using her analytical insights to drive change and inspire action. As a People Analyst at Google, she transforms complex employee data into narratives that influence company strategy at the highest levels. Her expertise in data visualization and presentation illuminates employee experiences, empowering Google's leadership to make informed decisions that enhance the workplace for over 200,000 Googlers. Lena's sought-after "Storytelling with Data" workshops teach professionals across industries to craft data-driven stories that resonate and drive results.

Lena's passion for empowerment extends beyond Google. As Executive Director of Cinnamongirl Inc., she leads a mission to unlock the boundless potential of girls of color. Through innovative programs in entrepreneurship, global travel, and creative expression, she fosters a powerful sisterhood where girls cultivate confidence, embrace their voices, and defy societal expectations.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Lena earned her BBA in Management from Loyola Marymount University, where she now serves on the Alumni Board. She's also an active member of the World Economic Forum's Chicago Global Shapers, collaborating with young leaders to drive positive change. Lena's dedication to empowerment shines through her work on various boards and councils, where she combines her analytical skills with a deep desire to make a difference in communities and individual lives.

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10/25/2024

Meet Tiwalade Adekunle, Vice Curator for 2024-2025.

Tiwaladeoluwa Adekunle, PhD., is a social scientist with an interest in driving healthcare policy decision-making and advancing equity through community-engaged research. Her research utilizes community-driven approaches to examine inequities in access to and quality of (obstetric) care for people with multiple marginalized identities. She is energized by opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations with professionals and researchers across community organizations and research institutes. Tiwaladeoluwa is also an award-winning creative writer and a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her first chapbook, A Place That Knows You, was published by Etchings Press in 2022.

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10/23/2024

Meet Franklin Eruo, Curator for 2024-2025.

Franklin is a distinguished and licensed real estate professional based in Chicago, recognized for his exceptional success in debt and equity placement, investment sales, and multifamily acquisitions and dispositions. After earning his MBA from Cleveland State University, he relocated to Chicago in 2019, where he quickly established himself as a key player in the industry, working with top-tier firms such as KeyBank, JLL, and LivCor, A Blackstone Company. Since moving from Ohio, Franklin has honed his expertise in multi-housing projects, civic engagement, and community building, always pushing the boundaries of what it means to create meaningful impact.

Franklin is not just a real estate expert; he is a change agent who challenges conventional definitions of success and impact. He is driven by the belief that true change is rooted in fostering enduring relationships, demonstrating high emotional intelligence, and actively participating in the communities he serves.

A lifelong learner and community advocate, Franklin draws inspiration from his involvement with organizations like the Chicago Global Shapers, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, The Eisenberg Foundation, and Chicago Scholars. These affiliations fuel his passion for becoming a more engaged and effective community leader. Outside of his professional endeavors, Franklin is an avid explorer of Chicago’s diverse culinary scene and a collector of contemporary art. He also enjoys staying informed through podcasts and the latest Wall Street Journal articles, all with the goal of inspiring the next generation of community leaders.

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10/15/2024

Our mission is to improve the lives of Chicagoans while breaking down regional and global challenges.

To support our work, collaborate, or volunteer with us, please visit

Global Shapers Chicago is a globally recognized group of young leaders empowered by the World Economic Forum to improve the lives of Chicagoans. The hub’s members hail from all over the world, and come together to make a positive impact in a variety of sectors including tech, finance, government, ...