CHICAGO

PARTNERING WITH

In monthly sessions held at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, Leonine Fellows are led by Catholic thought leaders from around the Chicago metropolitan area. During these sessions Leonine Fellows will grapple with some of the most important questions at the intersection of Catholicism and public life.

CHICAGO

In monthly sessions held within the Loop, Leonine Fellows are led by Catholic thought leaders from around the Chicago metropolitan area. During these sessions Leonine Fellows will grapple with some of the most important questions at the intersection of Catholicism and public life.

Join nearly 800 Leonine Fellows across the country 

Become part of a larger community of leaders committed to integrating the teachings of the Church within their professional and civic lives.

2023-2024 Leonine Forum applications are now closed.

2022-2023 CHICAGO

FIRST-YEAR LEONINE FELLOWS

John Adams
Eimer Stahl LLP


John Adams is an attorney at the litigation boutique Eimer Stahl where he focuses on antitrust, constitutional law, and civil and commercial litigation. Before his current practice, John worked as an associate at Sidley Austin LLP and clerked for the Hon. Amy Coney Barrett. He is also a decorated combat veteran, having served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. In his spare time, John enjoys playing the piano, running, and reading American biographies. He holds a JD and MBA from Northwestern University and a BA from the University of Dayton.
Caroline Beecher
The Rome Experience


Caroline Beecher is from the Chicago suburb Lemont, IL and earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame. After graduation, she worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse at Lurie Children’s Hospital before pursuing a master’s degree in political and corporate communication at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. Caroline currently serves as Program Coordinator for The Rome Experience, a summer formation program for U.S. diocesan seminarians.
Jonathan Blevins
Little Flower Media


Jonathan Blevins is married to his lovely wife Jodi. They have 3 kids ages 2-7. Jonathan is the CEO of Little Flower Media, a New Media Company using social media to be a light in the darkness that is the internet. Jonathan worked in Catholic parishes for 15 years before starting Little Flower Media. He loves Detroit/Michigan Sports, Bourbon, and Traveling.
Michael Cunningham
Moelis & Company


Mike is a Vice President of Moelis & Company, a leading global investment bank where he specializes in advising financial sponsors on bespoke capital solutions. Prior, he was at Lazard and DuPont Capital. Mike earned his BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mike is a proud son, brother (of four), and uncle (of three). Mike’s passions include: politics and policy; reading biographies and history; running and biking; mental health and addiction; and the Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks.
Michaela Fox
The Merry Beggars at Relevant Radio, Inc.


Michaela Elise Fox ("Kiki") is a musical theatre artist from New York, specialized in voice and acting. Michaela graduated from Long Island University, Post, in 2020 with a BFA in Theatre Arts and a Concentration in Musical Theatre. Michaela has extensive experience as a musician, actor, dancer, visual artist, and photographer. She is an award-winning poet and a published author. As a performer, she is very familiar with the production process and the importance of collaborative creativity. She understands the value of unashamedly creating what is true, good, and beautiful. Michaela strives for this in all of the work she does and has a passion for encouraging and promoting such vulnerable and necessary work from her fellow artists. Michaela’s experience in the performing arts has led her to The Merry Beggars at Relevant Radio, Inc., where she currently works as Producer.
Brendan Jubulis


Brendan Jubulis is an experienced professional in leveraged finance and private credit, working for three companies since graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2020. He studied Finance, Constitutional Studies, and Theology while in South Bend, where he was also a volunteer with Mercy Works, DePaul Academy, Campus Ministry, the Mendoza Peer Mentor program, and Knott Hall. In addition to Leonine, Brendan is involved in multiple groups and initiatives throughout Chicago, including St. Alphonsus Young Adults Ministry (YAM), Holy Name Cathedral YAM, and the Young Catholic Professionals chapter of Chicago. Brendan grew up in Erie, PA, while most of his family resides in Buffalo, NY.
Daniel Judge
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit


Daniel was born and raised in Berryville, Virginia. He received his B.A. in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law from the University of Virginia and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School. After law school, Daniel clerked for Judge Michael B. Brennan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is now clerking for Judge Martha M. Pacold of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys reading, playing soccer, and cheering on the Irish.
Emily Kaiser
Publicis Sapient


Emily is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio where she received her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Mount Saint Joseph University and her Master's degree in Theology from Xavier University. She currently works in Learning Operations at Publicis Sapient and is pursuing her Master's degree in Learning Experience Design and Education Technology. Emily has been in Lincoln Park, Chicago for the past two years where she is actively involved with the Young Adult Community at Saint Clement Parish and currently serves as the co-chair of the Young Adult Board. She enjoys running, especially half-marathons, and the 2022 Chicago Marathon is her first full marathon.
Jacob Kelley
NielsenIQ


Jacob is currently doing his best to be led by the Lord wherever He calls. Jacob was privileged to study theology, math, and physics at his alma mater: Hope College. Currently, he works as a data analyst for NielsenIQ and lives in Lakeview. He has felt very blessed to find incredible community in the city, especially at St. Alphonsus and St. John Cantius, and to be able to serve in various capacities including the chair of the intellectual pillar of St. Alphonsus' Young Adult Ministry (YAM) Board. Jacob is an avid runner, and he also enjoys reading, writing, and having deep conversations over drinks in his free time. He is also passionate about uniting the Catholic young adult communities in Chicago through more robust feasting and fasting according the the Christian tradition; ask him about it!
Chantal Lacouture
Gore Creek Asset Management


Chantal Lacouture is an Investment Associate at Gore Creek Asset Management, a family office in Chicago. Prior to Gore Creek, she worked at Bain & Co. for 2 years. She was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and raised in South Florida. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2020, majoring in Finance and History.
MaryKate Lawler
Registered Nurse


MaryKate Lawler is a native of Lemont, IL. She comes from a large Catholic family and is the oldest of eleven children. After completing her nursing degree at Creighton University she went on to work in the Emergency Department for a year and moved on to her dream working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago for four years. For the past two years she has pursued travel nursing, working in both Austin, TX and Denver, CO. Those experiences have been irreplaceable, pushing her out of her comfort zone. MaryKate is very passionate about her family and bringing her faith into her everyday life. A dream of hers is to tap into her passion for and knowledge of wine and open a wine bar someday! She is thrilled to join this prestigious group of people to bring the truth to a world that so desperately needs it.
Rebecca Lewis
Sidley Austin LLP


Rebecca is a litigation associate at Sidley Austin. Rebecca earned her J.D. from Yale Law School. Prior to law school, Rebecca worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as a financial markets analyst, where her work focused on derivatives regulation and financial market infrastructures. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, taking long walks to explore Chicago, and long conversations over good food with friends.
Taylor Luiso
PEAK6 Investments LLC


Taylor is a trader at PEAK6 Capital Management, a proprietary trading firm focused in U.S.-listed equities. Previously at PEAK6, he worked in the Strategic Capital group, where he coordinated the investment process for opportunities across venture capital, private credit, and managed funds. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, with concentrations in Finance, Marketing, & Statistics. He lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and is a member of the St. Alphonsus Parish community.