2024 Young Leaders Program Advisors “In-Residence” Sessions

The Young Leaders Program provides comprehensive support to Greenhouse Scholars Alums in the early stages of their careers and post-college life.

Advisors “In-Residence” Sessions provide innovative, comprehensive, and personalized support resources to grow Young Leaders, maximize individual potential, and foster community change. Advisors participate in three teams and work with alumni over four virtual sessions:
  • Leaders “In-Residence”: Helping alumni become exceptional leaders of people, profits, and purpose. (March 2024)
  • Executives “In-Residence”: Preparing young leaders to take on the finance, operations, marketing/customer experience, and culture challenges and opportunities that present themselves regardless of vocation. (June 2024)
  • Whole People “In-Residence”: Providing the knowledge and tools to help young leaders live their best lives. (September 2024)
  • All-Advisor Session: Workshops with all three teams. (December 2024)

See below for bios of our current Advisors “In-Residence” and session themes.

2024 Advisors “In-Residence”

Leaders Team: Contemporary Leadership + Trends: Leading Diverse Groups in the Digital Age

March 2024 Themes:

  • Leadership + Empathy: Leading with empathy and building meaningful relationships with those you’re leading. Creating a safe environment for failure and open discussion about strengths and weaknesses. Unlearning internalized biases and understanding individual strengths and weaknesses.
  • Continuous Learning + Adaptability: The importance of lifelong learning, unlearning, and adaptability. Resilience as a muscle that needs to be built over time. Developing a growth mindset and staying open to change.
  • Self-Leadership + Well-Being: Prioritizing self-leadership and maintaining physical and mental health. Being decisive and maintaining positivity and belief during times of crisis. Recognizing the importance of attitude and controlling what can be controlled.
  • Ethical Leadership + Transparency: Leading with honesty, transparency, and ethics. Addressing conflicts directly and transparently to prevent escalation. Giving people the benefit of the doubt and approaching issues with understanding.
  • Crisis Leadership + Decision-Making: Making timely decisions during crisis leadership and avoiding the cost of delayed decisions. Strategic planning and scenario analysis as strengths in crisis management. Effective communication and keeping stakeholders informed during challenging times.

Executives Team: Contemporary Professional Landscape:
Utilizing Technology for Planning, Execution, and Engagement

June 2024 Themes:

  • Harnessing Technology for Organizational Success: Leverage AI and platforms for planning and decision making. Empower staff to navigate digital disruptions and adapt to technological challenges.
  • Strategic Planning and Execution: Develop proficiency in strategic planning to align with organizational goals. Translate strategic plans into actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes.
  • Leveraging Technology for Effective Engagement: Mentor young professionals in using technology for stakeholder and client engagement. Utilize digital communication tools for collaboration and hybrid team engagement.
  • Fostering a Positive and Inclusive Organizational Culture: Use technology to foster inclusive engagement and collaboration in remote or hybrid settings. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through technology.
  • Mentorship and Development of Young Leaders: Guide young leaders to navigate strategic challenges and achieve significant results. Mentor young professionals to use technology effectively in their roles.

Whole Person Team: Contemporary Personal Development:
Finding Balance in the Digital Era

September 2024 Themes:

  • Mindfulness and Self-Care
    • Integrating practices like yoga, breathwork, and Zumba! can help build resilience and adaptability in a world filled with uncertainty.
    • Setting boundaries with technology to prioritize self-care, such as scheduling time for rest and engaging in non-digital activities, can enhance well-being.
  • Digital Well-being and Personal Values
    • Aligning digital engagement with personal values is essential for purposeful living. Evaluate whether your online activities contribute positively to your mental health and well-being.
    • Journaling is suggested to externalize thoughts and foster a more balanced digital presence by pairing negative thoughts with positive reflections.
  • Empathetic and Authentic Communication
    • In virtual settings, focusing on authentic self-expression and sharing personal stories can help build genuine relationships. Overcoming communication barriers requires empathy and openness.
    • For meaningful connections, it’s important to embrace and share your unique experiences, especially those that shaped you.
  • Balancing Screen Time
    • Establishing boundaries around screen time is critical for holistic wellness. Assess and adjust screen habits to ensure a healthy balance between digital use and personal care.
    • Find a community that fits your needs and aligns with your values, and be open to change if you are not thriving in your current environment.
  • Maintaining Balance
    • Alumni highlighted challenges with disconnecting from technology, staying consistent with good habits, and finding time for non-digital, rejuvenating activities like spending time outdoors.
    • Encouraging breaks from screens and making time for activities that bring joy (like being outdoors or enjoying quiet time) are critical to maintaining balance in a tech-driven world.

All Advisor Session: Navigating Leadership, Career, and Life in the Digital Age

Top 10 Insights from the 2024 All Advisor Session: Leadership, Professional, Whole Person

  1. Commit to Lifelong Learning and Growth: Continuously seek opportunities for learning and self-improvement, whether through feedback, mentorship, or tackling new challenges.
  2. Set Ambitious, Adaptable Goals: Define clear, purpose-driven goals that push your boundaries while remaining flexible in the face of change or setbacks.
  3. Practice Self-Awareness and Reflection: Regularly assess your strengths, areas for growth, and progress toward your goals. Intentional reflection fosters growth and ensures alignment with your values.
  4. Leverage Technology for Productivity and Balance: Use digital tools to streamline work, enhance communication, and support healthy work-life boundaries.
  5. Cultivate Curiosity and Connection: Build meaningful relationships by engaging deeply, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in others’ experiences.
  6. Uphold Ethical Integrity in Leadership and Life: Anchor your actions in your core values, maintain moral courage, and prioritize honesty and transparency in all endeavors.
  7. Master Storytelling for Impact: Use authentic and relatable narratives to inspire, connect, and engage others, whether leading a team or building professional relationships.
  8. Prioritize Clear Communication and Collaboration: Foster inclusivity and trust through intentional communication. Break silos, encourage collaboration, and lead with empathy and clarity.
  9. Balance Ambition with Well-Being: Integrate habits like mindfulness, physical activity, and boundary-setting into your daily routine to maintain resilience and long-term success.
  10. Embrace Resilience and Patience: Approach setbacks as learning opportunities. Build resilience by staying consistent, fostering trust, and focusing on incremental progress toward your long-term vision.

Pete Burridge
(New Advisor)

Founder & CEO, Greenhouse Scholars, Greenhouse Partners, The 18.com

Pete previously served as a Senior Vice President and an officer at The Integer Group. Integer is a global powerhouse in promotional, retail, and shopper marketing. He was also a director of Wunderman Cato Johnson, a division of Young and Rubicam, and has an investment background, having spent four years as a Treasury Bond Trader at the Chicago Board of Trade. An entrepreneur his entire career, he has been a part of starting seven companies. Pete founded Greenhouse Scholars to create a Whole Person program that makes a broad and lasting impact by helping students become community leaders who create change that will last through the generations. He believes that each of us is accountable for giving back to the community.

Allison Rabin
(Returning Advisor)

Chief Operating Officer, Near North Title Group

Allison is an accomplished, results-driven management executive responsible for rejuvenating operations through strategic vision, financial analysis, and building cultural communities. She is known for developing teams and mentoring new managers on best practices for evaluating financials, creating annual budgets, and designing business plans. She brings the best out of the team by envisioning intentional changes and drawing ideas from all stakeholders. Able to create a culture of optimism, generate buy-in at all levels and produce successful bottom-line results.

Gregg Vanourek
(New Advisor)

Founder, Gregg Vanourek LLC

Gregg is co-author of three influential books, including LIFE Entrepreneurs (a manifesto for integrating our life and work with purpose and passion) and Triple Crown Leadership (a winner of the International Book Awards). He runs a personal development and leadership company and teaches at the Stockholm Business School. He’s also a former senior executive at a tech startup, now a market leader with $1 billion in sales. He served as board chair for a global social entrepreneurship accelerator based in Stockholm. Gregg has given a TEDx talk and talks or workshops in eight countries.

David Zimmerman
(New Advisor)

Founder, AMAXXA

From Financial Advisor to CEO to entrepreneur, David is a forward-acting business pioneer who always wants to know what’s around the next corner. David built his business by doing financial planning for his clients and using advisory services for investment solutions. On Wall Street magazine recognized him as one of the financial services industry’s top managers twice during his career and Registered Rep magazine wrote an article about his work to pioneer practice management and team development.

Executives Team

Dr. Roslind Blasingame-Buford
(Returning Advisor)

Director, Organizational Development (Southwest) at Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Dr. Roz is a trailblazer in youth development and education and serves as a national thought leader and change agent influencing college access, workforce development, restorative justice, and afterschool programming. She has received numerous commendations for her leadership and commitment to service and was Named as a “Leading Lady” by “O,” The Oprah Magazine; recognized as one of Chicago’s Emerging Leaders by the Community Renewal Society; recently elected into the Economic Club of Chicago and is a 2018 Fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago. Dr. Roz has earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Master of Science in Nonprofit Management, and Doctorate in Adult Education.

Rachel Myung
(New Advisor)

Of Counsel, DLA Piper LLP

Rachel advises clients on complex business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and general corporate counseling and compliance. Rachel’s clients also include private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and other private companies across an array of industries, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, food and beverage, and professional services and marketing. 

Shawn Stiegler
(New Advisor)

Managing Partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Shawn focuses his practice on advising all aspects of the innovator economy. From capital allocators to startups, Shawn counsels organizations throughout their lifecycle including business strategy, formation of funds, SPV’s, company structuring, funding, and mergers and acquisitions. Shawn also serves on nonprofit boards for organizations including CSU College of Business and Greenhouse.

Tom Thompson
(New Advisor)

VP Creative/Advertising, St. Martin’s Press

Tom leads the Creative Studio group that comprises an in-house advertising agency–from media planning to creative to ad ops –social media and promotion specialists, as well as a traditional creative services team. In addition to his work at SMPG, Tom is a poet, with three books and many poems, reviews and essays published in literary journals and websites. He lives in New York City.

Whole Person Team

Erik Estrada
(New Advisor)

Corporate Attorney, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Erik practices corporate and securities law with a focus on corporate governance, public company representation, public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. He has extensive
experience advising clients, including public companies and their boards and executive leadership teams, on federal securities law compliance and corporate governance matters, with a particular emphasis on technology, biotech, and telecommunications companies. Before joining the firm, Erik was a senior director
and senior corporate counsel for Liberty Latin America Ltd., a Nasdaq-listed company, and as a director and senior corporate counsel for Level 3, a Fortune 500 company.

Elsa Holguin
(New Advisor)

President and CEO, Denver Preschool Program

Elsa is an established and well-respected leader in Colorado with a known history representing philanthropic institutions in areas of early childhood, family economic success, economic development, leadership development, advocacy/public policy, and public/private initiatives. Elsa has proven experience interacting with complex systems including organizational development, fiscal planning, donor cultivation, and program management. Before joining the Denver Preschool Program, Elsa was with the Rose Community Foundation for 22 years. She has a bachelor’s in finance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and a masters in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.

Sam King
(Returning Advisor)

Director of Sustainability, Marist School Network

Sam is an environmental educator, public speaker, writer, coach, and activist. He serves as Director of Sustainability for the United States Marist school network and Project Manager for the Emmy Award-winning Journey of the Universe film and multimedia project, hosting the Journey of the Universe: 10 Years Later podcast and curating the monthly newsletter. A former teacher in Peru, Sri Lanka, and Connecticut, he holds a Master’s in Religion and Ecology from Yale Divinity School and a Master’s in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College. Sam is passionate about bridging science, philosophy, and spirituality to inspire a flourishing future for all life.

Jill Pillsbury
(Returning Advisor)

Life Coach/Director,
Landmark Research Group

Jill is a successful businesswoman, community leader, and devoted mother who has made a positive impact on many people’s lives. Jill currently works as an executive/life coach where she offers a straightforward approach. A problem-solver by nature, Jill draws on a successful business background and real-world experiences to help others establish healthy boundaries, bolster confidence, and resolve conflict through better communication. Her work often includes bridging the gap between management teams to create a positive and productive company culture.