WHO WE ARE
Damilola Arowolaju – Chairman
Damilola has served in policy roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Council for the District of Columbia. He began his legal career as a civil rights lawyer before transitioning to an international law firm where he provided banks, funds, and tech companies regulatory guidance. He is currently an attorney in the Department of Treasury. Damilola received a B.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern and a J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School.
Brian Clarke – Vice Chairman
Brian Clarke is a company founder and today serves in an Of Counsel capacity to Kensington International. Brian’s educational background includes a Master of Management degree from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Personnel and Labor Relations from Indiana University. Brian sits on The Distinguished Alumni Council School of the O’Neil School – Indiana University and the Board of Trustees for The Chicago Theological Seminary.
Michael Eshun – Treasurer
Michael is a motivated professional with a strong commitment to building community. He has worked his entire professional career as a trader in financial markets with Gelber Group. He has been an active member in community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tutoring Chicago and numerous other mentorship roles and programs. Michael received his B.S. degree in Economics and Business Institutions from Northwestern University where he was a four-year member of the varsity football team and continues to support and mentor current student athletes.
Shawn Daniel – Secretary
With decades of experience across multiple industries, Shawn is a dynamic leader blending law, energy transformation, and military service. As mid-level executive at Exelon, Shawn drives strategic initiatives, and ensures regulatory compliance. Shawn’s military service reflects his commitment to duty and leadership, where he led teams in conducting tactical operations in Iraq and Syria. Shawn actively participates in community leadership mentoring programs. He graduated with honors from law school and obtained a Master of Energy Engineering from the University of Illinois.
Gabrielle Bello – Board Member
Gabrielle Bello is a social justice organizer, nonprofit leader, and community advocate from Chicago, dedicated to advancing equity through education, advocacy, and systemic change. She founded IRETI WA, an online clothing company donating 50% of proceeds to pro-immigration causes. Gabrielle holds a B.A. in Human Services and Social Justice from The George Washington University and is pursuing a Master’s in Government at Harvard. She serves as President of the Oasis Foundation, Director of People & Programs at YesSheCanCampaign, and Director of Public Policy & Advocacy for DISSCHOLARED™, while also serving on the board of Made In The Image. Her work has earned honors including The Diana Award, and YesSheCanCampaign has named its Social Justice & Activism Award after her. Gabrielle has collaborated with groups such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Obama Foundation, and London School of Economics.
Shannon Keyes – Board Member
As the Director of Regional High School Programs at The Academy Group, Shannon Keys specializes in developing and implementing transformative educational programs that empower students to thrive. Shannon oversees all aspects of high school and summer programming, including master schedule creation, staffing models, logistics, budget management, and regional operations. With a strong focus on experiential learning, she collaborates with teams and consultants to design programs aligned with the organization’s curriculum, ensuring high-quality, impactful experiences. In addition to program development, Shannon leads recruitment initiatives, family and community engagement, logistics, and professional development, allowing her to contribute to both the immediate success of students and the sustainable growth of the Academy Group’s programs. Shannon resides in Flossmoor, Illinois, with her husband and their two children.
Matthew Harris – Board Member
Matthew is a leader experienced in both non-profit and venture capital sectors. He is a business leader at Cleveland Avenue, which accelerates growth across multiple sectors. Investing millions of dollars in capital, Matthew has supported entrepreneurs at every level of business. In his role as Lead Advisor for The Academy Group, he is committed to fostering change and empowering the next generation of leaders. Matthew has created an innovative advising framework supporting high school students.
David Onion – Board Member
Mr. Onion has served as an independent director on several corporate boards and foundations, led transaction teams at two global financial institutions, been a co-founder in four specialty finance companies, directed many corporate acquisitions and underlying financing structures, and served as a court-appointed receiver in state and federal court for over 100 cases involving commercial real estate and shareholder disputes. He received his B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from Western Illinois University and completed his post-graduate MBA education at The College of St. Thomas.