Elgin Area Leadership Academy announces its 2025-26 leadership class

The award-winning Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA), founded by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce in 1991, continues to make a difference in the lives of its participants and the vibrancy of the greater Elgin area community.

“This program is designed to empower emerging leaders, strengthen professional skills, and build connections that make a lasting impact on our community,” said Dan Fox, EALA founder.
“We can’t wait to see how this year’s participants will grow, collaborate, and lead the way in shaping Elgin’s future.”

EALA is pleased to announce the 21 members of this year’s 2025-26 class of leaders. They include: Yvette Gonzalez - Collins and Mireya Perez - School District U-46; Leslie Nathan - Community Crisis Center; Crissy Barnat -Gail Borden Public Library; Erin Ramirez - Real Change Studio; Sergio Perez - Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc.; Vivian Floyd Bocage - Rieke Interiors; Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzalez, Sandra Gonzalez, Janine Szerszen, and Joel Yumba - Elgin Community College; Kristin Berggren - Centro De Informacion; Michael Baumgartner - Apex Gear Service, Inc.; Daniel Meyers - Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras; Myeshia Sanders - K'S Ultimate Vending; Andres Lozano - Golden Corridor Family YMCA; John Gieske - Wintrust; Jose Hurtado - Hines & Associates; Jeffrey Otte - JAO Consulting; Allie Rodriguez - Salvation Army; and Melanie Toth - Marklund.

“Since its initial 1991-92 class, over 600 individuals have graduated from this unique EALA experience,” says Carol Gieske, CEO/President, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to providing this year’s class with hands-on opportunities and interactions over the next few months to grow their individual leadership qualities.”

EALA consists of 12 monthly Saturday morning sessions from September 27, 2025 through May 2, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants will gain insight into: Leadership development, Volunteerism and board governance, ethics and social justice, health and economic development.

A key highlight is the exclusive bus tour, providing an inside look at Elgin’s civic, business, nonprofit, educational, and healthcare sectors. EALA provides hands-on opportunities and interactions with the City of Elgin, local education and healthcare institutions, businesses, not for profits, and much more to develop and expand each individual's leadership qualities.

“The program continues to shape leaders and enriches the greater Elgin community, adds Gieske.
“We look forward to this year long process that will give our class members an opportunity to connect, grow, and become part of our critical and expanding leadership community.”

For more information, contact Gieske at the Elgin Area Chamber office at 847-741-5660.