UMMA is convening a dynamic panel discussion featuring women leaders in nonprofit and public service roles, with a focus on the changing landscape of mission-driven work and the unique challenges and opportunities women face in leadership. The conversation will explore sector-wide trends, such as shifts in funding, community engagement strategies, and the growing need for cross-sector collaboration. Panelists will also speak candidly about navigating leadership as women in often male-dominated spaces, and how identity, equity, and advocacy shape their work. With a special focus on Lake County, the event will highlight the impact of local leadership and explore how organizations can better serve diverse communities across the region.

Panelists:

• Arshia Ali-Khan, CEO, Muslim Legal Fund of America

• Michelle Cox, Extension County Director, University of Illinois Extension (Lake & McHenry County)

• Becky Frederick, President, Workplace Strategy

• Adrienne Johnson, Illinois State Senator

This event is free with registration. Please register by September 10, 2025.
This event is made possible with support from the Lake County Community Foundation.

Panelist Biographies

Arshia Ali-Khan
Arshia Ali-Khan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), the nation’s premier full-service legal fund dedicated to protecting the civil liberties and constitutional rights of Muslims at the federal level. Since assuming leadership of MLFA at the onset of the global pandemic, she has led the organization to achieve 280 percent growth while strengthening efficiency, transparency, and measurable impact.

With more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit development, strategy, and transformational leadership, Arshia has revitalized organizations, built high-performing multicultural teams, and delivered sustainable growth. She is the architect of the American Muslim Legal Ecosystem (AMLE) and the driving force behind MLFA’s nationally recognized Legal Internship and Externship Program.

Arshia also serves the broader community as a founding board member of the Muslim Civic Coalition and the 2024 Chairwoman of the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations. She holds master’s degrees in Transformational Leadership, Learning, and Coaching and in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she was a distinguished Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellow. An award-winning scholar-practitioner, certified executive coach, speaker, and trainer, she is deeply committed to advancing equity, justice, and systemic change.

Michelle Cox, Ph.D.
Michelle Cox serves as the Extension County Director for Lake and McHenry Counties with the University of Illinois, where she leads programs that strengthen families and communities through education, collaboration, and civic engagement. In her role, she provides leadership, builds partnerships with diverse audiences, and advances the mission of the university by ensuring access to resources that empower individuals to succeed.

Dr. Cox brings 25 years of experience in human services and education, with a vision grounded in equity, affirming opportunities, and lifelong learning. Her work focuses on providing communities with the tools and experiences that inspire growth and resilience.

A lifelong resident of Lake County, Dr. Cox earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Barat College, her master’s degree in human services, and her doctorate in education from Capella University. She is a certified facilitator and trainer for Washington State University’s Navigating Difference Cultural Competency Program and a certified master facilitator for the Real Colors temperament tool. She is also co-author of Her Voice: A Legacy of Modeling, Mentoring, and Othermothering, a book honoring the mentors and role models who paved the way for her success.

Becky Frederick
Becky Frederick is the founder of Workplace Strategy, a consulting practice that helps organizations develop high-performance workplaces and engaged, goal-oriented teams. Her work focuses on strategic planning, organizational assessment, leadership development, and facilitation. Known for her strategic and values-based approach, she partners with clients to create workplaces where both people and organizations thrive.

Becky began her career as a labor and employment attorney, practicing in Illinois and Indiana before serving as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City of Chicago’s Law Department and later as General Counsel for the Department of Streets and Sanitation. After a decade in law, she transitioned to human resources, serving as a senior leader with the Chicago Park District where she managed labor relations, talent management, compensation, and benefits. She went on to launch Workplace Strategy, combining her expertise in law, HR, and organizational development.

Her volunteer commitments include serving as Chair of the Heartland Human Care Services Board and as a board member of Fernwood Botanical Garden, where she leads governance and strategic planning efforts. She is also co-creator of the Value Reflection Cards, a tool designed to help individuals and organizations explore and align around values.

An avid traveler, Becky has visited all seven continents and draws on her global experiences to inform her consulting work. With curiosity, energy, and a spirit of adventure, she helps clients identify patterns, navigate challenges, and build people-centered solutions that work.

Senator Adriane Johnson
State Senator Adriane Johnson represents Illinois’ 30th District, which includes communities across Lake County such as Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, and North Chicago. In 2020 she was sworn in as the first Black state senator from Lake County, bringing decades of community service and leadership to the role.

In the Illinois Senate, she serves as chair of the Local Government Committee, vice chair of the Environment and Conservation Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations, Child Welfare, Commerce, Transportation, and Education Committees. Her legislative priorities reflect her commitment to strengthening local government, protecting the environment, and supporting families and communities across her district.

Prior to joining the Senate, Johnson served as commissioner of the Buffalo Grove Park District Board and as president of the Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as chair of the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ Board of Trustees, is a member of the Village of Buffalo Grove’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, and volunteers with the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove and the Taproot Foundation.

Senator Johnson’s dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Women in Business Leadership Award from the North Shore Women’s Conference and the Leadership and Service Award from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College and a Master of Jurisprudence in Business Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She lives in Buffalo Grove with her husband, Bruce, and their adult daughter.