The Next Generation Society of the ACLU is a vibrant and diverse membership group for activists, artists, emerging leaders, and engaged community members committed to supporting the essential work of the ACLU and safeguarding civil liberties for future generations.
Founded in Chicago in 2015, the Next Generation Society of the ACLU focuses on engaging the “next generation” of ACLU supporters. ACLU Next Gen members infuse the work of the ACLU with new energy, bring diverse professional and social networks into the ACLU community, and most importantly, are passionate about protecting and expanding civil liberties for all people.
Through educational panels, fundraisers, book clubs, happy hours, volunteer opportunities, and celebrity chef dinners ACLU Next Generation Society members gather and work together to learn about, support, and advance the important work of the ACLU. Members also get opportunities to use their expertise and resources to work directly with ACLU staff on important initiatives. In the past, members have served as cooperating pro bono attorneys and issue experts, helped with design and video projects, and have facilitated partnerships with community organizations.
The ACLU asks Next Generation Society members to make a minimum annual contribution of $125 (fully tax-deductible), all of which goes towards funding the ACLU’s work on reproductive freedom, voting, immigration, police reform, privacy, First Amendment issues, and more. Thanks to the commitment of its members, the Next Generation Society fully funds a staff position each year - the Next Generation Society Staff Attorney, which was named in 2021. This named position honors the Society’s dedication to the ACLU.
At a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges to our rights across the board, we must work together and support the ACLU’s extensive efforts to fight for change. We hope you will join the Next Generation Society of ACLU of Illinois today!
Questions? Please contact us at NextGenerationSociety@aclu-il.org. The Next Generation Society of the ACLU is open to all who are passionate about defending our civil liberties and preserving our democracy. If the cost of $125 is a barrier to you, please reach out about a sponsored membership.
Executive Board
Aaron Salamonson - Strategy Developer, Proprietary Trading Firm
President
Blair Dawson - Member Partner, McDonald Hopkins LLC
Wesam Shahed - Policy Advisor, Cook County State’s Attorney Office
Co-Vice Presidents
Matea Varvodic - Vice President of Advancement, Brightpoint
Board Secretary
Zee Alsayag - Digital Identity Solution Engineer, Ping Identity
Nidhi Narielwala - Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Social Media Co-Chairs
Rebecca Weissman - Of Counsel - Loftus & Eisenberg, Ltd
Events Chair
Katie Jackson - Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Greater Chicago Legal Clinic
Deena Prescavage - Associate Director, Development at Habitat for Humanity Chicago
Membership Co-Chairs
Zack Brown - Capital Markets Trading Principal, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Jaylin McClinton
James Mooney - Managing Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
Community Liaisons
Board
Ari Afsar - Actor and Performer, Former Cast Member of Hamilton Chicago
Amelia Bailey - Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Mike Bittner - Communications Strategist, ZS
Adam Bottner - Director of Legal Solutions, Epiq
Tiffani Caldwell - Attorney, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Kelly Cervantes - Nonprofit Consultant
Zay Dorris - Justice Studies Student, Arizona State University
Jadyn Ehrenberg - Student, University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice
Kayla Farhang - Juris Doctor Candidate, Chicago-Kent College of Law
Sarah Futernick - Partner, Jenner & Block LLP
Huge Galdones - Owner, Galdones Photography
Annie Garau Kelly - Associate, Kaplan & Grady LLC
Daniel Goff - Head of Policy, Kodiak Robotics
Laura Haning - Sales Director, Nextpoint
Ashley Hurley - J.D. Candidate University of Illinois College of Law
Cassidy Ingram - Associate, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Jesse Johnson - Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, American Immigration Council
Paul Jones - Legislative Coordinator for the Cook County Board of Commissioners
Blake Kolesa - Associate, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP.
Martina Krone - Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Access Community Health Network
Ellie Kurensky - English Teacher, Wolcott College Preparatory High School
Maddie Meinhold - Manager of Impact & Inclusion, Endeavor
Robert Middleton - Associate, ArentFox Schiff LLP
Kailey Mullins - Program Director, Thresholds
Sam Rose - Associate, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Maggie Slavin - Operations Manager, CAIR Chicago
Alexis Sotolongo-Marin - Student, University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice
Marcus Spearman - Data Integrity Specialist, BMO Financial Group
Sara Stappert - Associate, Jenner & Block LLP
Jason Vincent - Chef, Giant Restaurant
Tiffani Watson - Managing Director of Education and Corporate Engagement, Chicago Bar Association’s Media and Civic Education, Inc.
Dylan Yurgionas - Senior Software Engineer, Google X
