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- Program
- Speaker Series
- Date
- Jan 28, 2025
Join us as we welcome the Winter-Spring 2025 cohort of Pritzker Fellows! Each of our Fellows will introduce themselves and seminar topics, followed by a brief chat with IOP director Heidi Heitkamp. They’ll then rotate around to meet students and field their questions!
Snacks will be provided.
You can learn more about our upcoming Fellows via the links below:
- Jon Tester
- Shalanda Young
- Natalia Pelevina
- Xochitl Torres Small
- Liz Johnson
- Justin Ángel Knighten
- Chris LaCivita
- Tonika Lewis Johnson
- Pete Buttigieg*
- Charlamagne Tha God* *Please note that Secretary Buttigieg and Charlamagne Tha God will not be attending Meet the Fellows.
This event is open to current UChicago students only.
If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact iopevents@uchicago.edu.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 5:30 p.m. CST Ida Noyes Hall, 3rd Floor Theater
- Pete Buttigieg Former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, Former 2020 Presidential Candidate, Former Mayor of South Bend
- Jon Tester Former U.S. Senator (D-MT), author of "Grounded: A Senator’s Lessons on Winning Back Rural America" After earning a degree in music from the College of Great Falls in 1978, Jon took over the Tester farm. He also taught music at F.E. Miley Elementary and was also elected to the Big Sandy School Board. He was first elected to the Montana Senate in 1998. In 2005, his colleagues chose him to serve as Montana Senate President. In 2006, he was first elected to the United States Senate and served until January, 2025. He is an outspoken voice for rural America and an advocate for small businesses who has hosted numerous Small Business Opportunity Workshops across Montana to serve thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs. He’s a champion of responsible energy development, sportsmen’s issues, clean air and water, Indian nations, women’s access to care, and quality health care for all of America’s Veterans. In the Senate, he served on the Veterans’ Affairs, Homeland Security, Indian Affairs, Banking and Appropriations Committees.
- Xochitl Torres Small Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
- Shalanda Young Former Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young is the Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget - the first Black woman to the lead the agency. In this role, she serves as a Member of President Biden’s Cabinet, National Security Council, and Core Economic team. She manages the Federal Government’s annual $7 trillion budget, covering expenditures ranging from Medicare to national security. She has worked to secure assistance for Ukraine, relief for communities impacted by natural disasters, and investments in childcare, education, and public health. Young was also a lead negotiator for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 that averted a first-ever debt default and lifted the Nation’s debt ceiling. She led the development of all four of President Biden’s budgets and presented them before Congress each year. She also oversees the Federal Government’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which is critical in the federal regulation-making process. In addition to the federal budget and regulatory agenda, Young oversees the many management challenges facing the US government. Young issued the two government-wide AI memorandums advancing governance and innovation and setting procurement guidelines for agencies. Previously, Young worked for the House Appropriations Committee for nearly 15 years, rising to lead the Committee as the Staff Director. The Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful in Congress, is responsible for funding nearly every government agency and setting priorities across each of the programs funded through annual spending bills. Young has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University New Orleans and a Master of Health Administration from Tulane University.
- Natalia Pelevina Russian Political Opposition Activist Born in Moscow, Natalia moved to London, as a child, on the brink of the Soviet Union’s collapse. After receiving BA in Art History, she ventured into writing. Her screenplays were optioned by American production companies, while “I Plead Guilty”, a play based on the events of the Moscow theatre siege, was staged on both sides of the Atlantic, in London, New York and Washington DC, and was banned in Russia. In 2012 she moved back to Russia to fight Putin’s increasingly vile and dangerous regime. She worked with Alexey Navalny on anti-corruption cases, as well his campaign for the Mayor of Moscow; co-founded a political party and helped put together a wide oppositional coalition. Constant surveillance, smear campaign on state television and criminal prosecutions on made up charges followed. After Putin’s invasion of Ukraine Natalia stood outside Kremlin with a Ukrainian flag, was arrested but later released. Currently based in Latvia, Natalia is a Council Member of the Free Russia Forum, founded by Garry Kasparov, a Regional Secretary for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the World Liberty Congress and is working on a Transitional Justice for Russia project. The screenings of her documentary film “Borderline” about the war in Ukraine are taking place in Europe and will be moving to the US in the spring.
- Liz Johnson Former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Mitt Romney Liz Johnson is Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Mitt Romney. A veteran communications and policy strategist with nearly 20 years of government and political experience, Ms. Johnson was named Chief of Staff in 2021 after having served as the Senator’s communications director. Prior to joining Senator Romney’s team, Ms. Johnson directed the Office of Public Affairs for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leading the agency’s global communications strategy and a staff of nearly 60 employees. In 2017, she served as spokeswoman for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch and helped lead messaging strategy for his successful Senate confirmation. Her congressional and campaign experience includes having served as communications director and senior political advisor to U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire where she established Ayotte’s national profile on major foreign policy and national security issues. Ms. Johnson also served as a spokesperson for U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Ms. Johnson is an advisory board member of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Bipartisan Chiefs of Staff Initiative and past president of the U.S. Senate Press Secretaries Association. A Maine native, Ms. Johnson graduated magna cum laude from St. Michael’s College in 2006 with a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish.
- Justin Ángel Knighten Former Associate Administrator with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Justin is a nationally recognized crisis, risk and political communications expert, strategist, storyteller, and advocate for solutions to address the climate crisis. With a career based on cross-sector and issue area experience, Justin is driven by navigating complex challenges through establishing innovative partnerships, leading teams, and leveraging cutting-edge communications trends to yield results. As a former senior official in the Biden-Harris Administration, Justin led FEMA’s Office of External Affairs, a nearly 200-person team with several divisions including communications, disaster operations, public affairs, intergovernmental affairs, tribal affairs, congressional affairs, private sector engagement, as well as the Ready and Listo Campaign, the nation’s all-hazard preparedness public outreach and education initiative. Additionally, his office managed a nearly 500-person cadre of external affairs reservists who deployed year-round into communities impacted by disasters declared by the President of the United States. Previously, Justin served as co-chair of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s groundbreaking $50 million disaster preparedness campaign, called Listos California, which transformed how government engages and prepares historically vulnerable populations. Housed within the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the campaign continues to ready at-risk Californians statewide for wildfires, earthquakes, and beyond. In 2024, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) named Justin the national Public Relations Professional of the Year. A lifelong advocate for equity and human rights, Justin’s expertise has earned him recognition as a leading LGBTQ+ figure in national security and foreign policy. After leading communications at FEMA to support President Biden’s ambitious and successful goal to vaccinate the nation from COVID-19, he was recognized by PRWeek as a 40 under 40 forward-thinking current and future leader of the PR industry. Justin is currently a Truman National Security Project Fellow. Finally, as a California native and the grandson of immigrants from Mexico, Justin brings his experience, background, and culture into every aspect of solving big problems for the nation.
- Chris LaCivita Senior Advisor & Co-Campaign Manager to Donald Trump's 2024 Presidential Campaign Chris LaCivita is a national Republican general consultant and campaign strategist. He most recently served as Co-Campaign Manager for the Donald Trump for President campaign and as Chief of Staff for the Republican National Committee. Previously, LaCivita held the role of Political Director at the National Republican Senatorial Committee for two cycles. Throughout his career, LaCivita has provided strategic counsel to candidates, committees and Super PACs across all levels. He is often called into the most competitive races for his expertise in campaign strategy and tactical implementation. A decorated veteran, LaCivita served in the United States Marine Corps, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
- Charlamagne Tha God Radio, Podcast & Television Personality Lenard "Charlamagne Tha God" McKelvey is an entertainment mogul who has earned a reputation as one of the most authentic voices in media. As a Radio Hall of Fame inductee, best-selling author, in-demand TV personality, and producer, he is a singular shaper of culture. An innovator and industry leader in audio, he is the co-host of iHeartMedia's The Breakfast Club morning show, which drives millions of listeners and viewers daily on radio. Charlamagne expanded his collaboration with iHeart to create The Black Effect Podcast Network, home to multiple chart-topping podcasts and the first podcast network built explicitly for Black listeners. Alongside Kevin Hart, he is also the executive producer of scripted podcasts like Brokedown Prophets, Finding Tamika, Unleash for Love, and Summer of ‘85, which have won an Audie, Webby, and the prestigious duPont award. He is also the co-creator and host of the popular podcast The Brilliant Idiots with comedian Andrew Schulz. He recently launched the political podcast network Reasoned Choice Media alongside Angela Rye and Chris Morrow. The network's debut show is the chart topping Native Land Podcast featuring Rye, Tiffany Cross and Andrew Gillium. Charlamagne is the author of The New York Times Best Seller Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and the best-selling Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me, and his most recent best-selling book Get Honest or Die Lying. His tremendous success as an author led to a partnership with Simon & Schuster Publishing, now home to his imprint Black Privilege Publishing, which has curated best-selling books such as Invisible Generals, My Black Country, Shallow Waters, and many upcoming new releases for 2024 and 2025. Charlamagne is an Emmy-winning producer through his production company, CThaGod World. He has hosted several network TV programs, including the Stephen Colbert executive-produced Hell of a Week on Comedy Central. He is also the host of his YouTube interview series Out Of Context with Charlamagne Tha God. Acting on his passion for mental health awareness, Charlamagne founded the Mental Wealth Alliance. The foundation works to destigmatize mental health in the Black community by expanding the pool of professionals in the health and wellness space. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Food Bank for New York City.
- Tonika Lewis Johnson Chicago-Based Social Justice Artist Tonika Lewis Johnson, a visionary photographer and social justice artist deeply rooted in Chicago's South Side Englewood, illuminates the shadows of injustice within real estate and land use practices, advocating for transformative change, especially in historic preservation. Her ongoing opus, Folded Map, transcends visual storytelling by unraveling the stark disparities among segregated Chicago residents, compelling them to engage in meaningful conversations. Meanwhile, her poignant "Inequity For Sale" project unearths the living history of Greater Englewood homes sold under discriminatory Land Sale Contracts in the 50s and 60s, urging a critical reevaluation and the creation of positive change. Internationally acclaimed, Tonika's artistry has earned her accolades, including Chicago Magazine's Chicagoan of the Year, and has been showcased at prestigious venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Rootwork Gallery in Pilsen, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Harold Washington Library Center, and Loyola University's Museum of Art. Her impact extends beyond art, recognized as a 2019 Field Foundation "Leader for a New Chicago," a 2022 Landmark Illinois Influencer, and recently concluding a 2023 Ateliers Médicis Artist in Residence in Paris, France. Serving as a Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Cultural Advisory Council member, a lead co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective, and the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), Tonika now spearheads the Folded Map Project™ non-profit as its Creative Executive Officer, embodying the transformative power of art in advocacy and community leadership.