Beginning this June, six newly elected public members of the Roosevelt University Board of Trustees will begin their three-year terms. The trustees were selected in March through an open nomination process and bring a wide range of leadership experience, professional expertise and personal commitment to Roosevelt’s mission of equity and social justice.
Board Chair J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez shares, “We continue to be intentional about building a diverse and inclusive board that reflects our values and the communities we serve. These new trustees bring not only impressive credentials but a shared passion for advancing Roosevelt’s legacy.”
Roosevelt University President Ali R. Malekzadeh adds, “Roosevelt faces a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Our trustees serve as strategic partners who help guide our long-term vision, support institutional innovation and ensure we remain responsive to the needs of our students and society.”
The new trustees are: Brandon Austin; Jessica L. Gonzalez; Michael Hyzy, BA ’10; Rodolfo Medina; Theresa Roosevelt; and Dr. Airica Steed. Full biographies are provided below.
Brandon Austin
Brandon Austin is a strategic brand architect and powerhouse experience designer who builds brands people love, stories they follow and movements they fuel. As Founder of BRNDWORKS, he partners with leaders and organizations to turn bold ideas into brand power. His modern marketing and communications consultancy blends big-brand strategy with boutique precision—delivering executive positioning, campaign development, crisis management and fractional leadership with both style and substance. From brand transformations to internal systems and thought leadership platforms, BRNDWORKS helps organizations move with clarity, cohesion and lasting impact.
Previously, Brandon served as Vice President of Brand Engagement at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, where he led a full-scale brand transformation—introducing a reimagined identity, launching breakthrough campaigns and driving demand across 15 Community Hubs, five overnight and family camps, and hundreds of program sites. Under his leadership, the YMCA has unified brand, customer experience, marketing communications, events and sales into a high-performing engine of innovation and engagement.
Earlier in his career, Brandon led marketing and communications at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and advanced strategic storytelling, media relations and corporate responsibility at CNA Insurance. Across sectors, he brings a rare blend of creativity, operational rigor and cultural fluency to every brand he touches.
Deeply committed to civic leadership and the arts, Brandon currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Roosevelt University, the Board of Directors for Red Clay Dance Company and the Scenemakers Board of The Goodman Theatre. He has held prior advisory roles with the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois, the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation and Social Responsibility Chicago. He is a proud graduate of DePaul University’s College of Communication and a current member of National Louis University's Communications & Media Industry Council.
At his core, Brandon believes branding isn’t just how something looks—it’s how it moves. Whether guiding executives, designing experiences or building the next big thing, he leads with precision, presence and a passion for impact.
Jessica L. Gonzalez
Jessica “Jess” L. Gonzalez is a first-generation college and law school graduate and a native Chicagoan who grew up in the Portage Park/Belmont Cragin neighborhood. After graduating from a local CPS gifted program, she earned a scholarship to attend the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts—the oldest boarding school in the United States. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in public policy and international affairs from Princeton University and her juris doctor from Stanford Law School, where she served as managing editor of the Stanford Law Review and co-president of the Environmental Law Society.
Jessica began her legal career as an associate at Winston & Strawn LLP, practicing in the firm’s environmental and litigation departments. Since 2004, she has served as in-house counsel at BP and is currently managing counsel for the U.S. HSSE & Refining team. Her practice focuses on environmental regulatory compliance at BP’s U.S. refineries, greenhouse gas and climate initiatives, site remediation and advising on workplace health and safety. She is a passionate advocate for workplace inclusion and has contributed to numerous committees and affinity groups focused on advancing diversity in the legal profession.
Dedicated to uplifting the Latino community—particularly Latina attorneys—Jessica currently chairs the Selection Committee for the Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois (HLSF), overseeing the evaluation of law student applicants. She is a past board member of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI) and has been profiled in Hispanic Executive for her leadership and career journey.
Jessica is actively involved in alumni engagement, serving as chair of the Andover Alumni Association’s Chicago Region, director of the Princeton Club of Chicago and an alumni interviewer for both Andover and Princeton.
Michael Hyzy, BA '10
Michael “Mike” Hyzy is Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at CGI, where he leads Product Studio—CGI’s dedicated product management and development services group. He also heads the company’s CIO Advisory practice for the U.S. commercial sector, helping executive leaders align strategy with innovation and digital transformation.
A recognized thought leader on artificial intelligence, product innovation and strategic foresight, Mike is a published author and frequent keynote speaker. He is also the creator of an award-winning documentary addressing the fentanyl crisis, exemplifying his belief in storytelling as a tool for societal change.
Mike serves on the Chairman’s Advisory Committee of the Big Shoulders Fund, advancing educational and community enrichment efforts in Chicago. He also volunteers through Social Enterprise Chicago, advising mission-driven businesses on sustainable growth. As founder of a futurist meetup in Chicago, he convenes corporate innovators to explore forward-looking solutions and transformative technologies.
Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Roosevelt University. He holds certifications as a New Product Development Professional (NPDP), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Strategic Foresight Practitioner from the Institute for the Future (IFTF).
He is passionate about harnessing emerging technology to improve lives, particularly in healthcare and public service. He believes deeply in using the power of machines to help us become better humans.
Rodolfo Medina
Rodolfo “Rudy” Medina is Market President of Self-Help Federal Credit Union, where he leads financial operations, lending programs and strategic partnerships that expand economic access across underserved communities in Chicago. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting homeownership, small business development and financial inclusion, including securing a $10 million deposit from the Walmart Foundation—one of the largest investments in Self-Help’s Midwest region.
An immigrant from Chihuahua, Mexico and a first-generation college graduate, Rudy’s personal journey informs his professional mission. He began his education at St. Augustine College and later transferred to Northeastern Illinois University, balancing multiple jobs while supporting his family. This lived experience drives his commitment to equity and opportunity in higher education.
Rudy currently serves as Treasurer of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants (ICDI) and holds advisory roles with St. Augustine College, TRP Funding and Catholic Charities Southwest Chicago. As former chair of San Jose Obrero Mission, he led a capital campaign that expanded shelter services for women and children.
In 2022, Rudy delivered the commencement address at St. Augustine College, marking a full-circle moment in his academic and professional journey. That same year, he was named to Negocios Now ’s “Who’s Who in the Latino Sector” and was previously recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business ’ “40 Under 40” and Negocios Now ’s “40 Under 40.” He is also a CDFI Fellow with the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Fluent in Spanish and deeply engaged in his community, Rudy brings to Roosevelt University a commitment to inclusive leadership, financial empowerment and educational access.
Theresa Roosevelt
Theresa “Tracy” Roosevelt is the great-granddaughter of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and a seasoned leader in public service, law and national security. Most recently, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy in the Biden-Harris Administration, where she advised on policy, strategic planning and managed a team of 50 with a $6.5 million operating budget. She previously served as Attorney-Advisor to the General Counsel of the Navy, focused on energy, installations and environmental issues.
Tracy practiced law at Foley Hoag LLP for nearly a decade, representing sovereign states in international litigation and arbitration, and contributed to the firm’s United Nations practice. She also taught investor-state arbitration and litigation practice as an adjunct professor at the Northeastern University School of Law. Earlier in her career, she clerked for Judge Helen G. Berrigan in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and worked in London on content development for the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
She is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former member of the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law. Tracy holds a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center, a BA with honors from Brown University and an MSc from the London School of Economics.
Tracy resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and three children. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to diplomacy, public service and the pursuit of peace.
Dr. Airica Steed
Dr. Airica Steed is a nationally recognized healthcare executive, equity champion and educator with more than 25 years of leadership across academic medical centers, public health systems and integrated care networks. Known for her people-centered, justice-driven leadership, she made history as the first Black woman to serve as President & CEO of one of the nation’s largest public health systems. Her tenure marked a transformative period of financial recovery, cultural revitalization and unprecedented community impact.
Dr. Steed has also led enterprise transformation initiatives globally as a leader with a Big Four consulting firm, with expertise spanning clinical operations, digital integration and strategic redesign. She currently leads an independent consultancy serving health systems, government agencies and equity-focused ventures.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Steed has taught at institutions including the University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola University, Case Western Reserve University and Ursuline College. Her courses center on healthcare administration, nursing leadership and Lean Six Sigma methodology.
A fourth-generation nurse and lifelong advocate for equitable healthcare, Dr. Steed brings resilience, purpose and innovation to every endeavor. Her appointment to Roosevelt University’s Board of Trustees reflects a shared mission to advance access, equity and impact through education.
She holds a doctor of education (EdD) in ethical leadership, an MBA and a BS in nursing. She is a fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). Dr. Steed also serves on numerous national boards and advisory councils dedicated to equity, governance and sustainable leadership.
