With over 20 years of experience leading institutions through times of growth and change, Jon started Lake Levels Strategy and Advisory LLC to support others during pivotal moments for their team or organization.

Most recently, Jon was the Managing Director of the Public Programs and Engagement Center at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. In a variety of positions over the course of a decade at the Council, he helped to more than triple the Council’s staff size and operating budget, set long-term goals and build teams to accomplish them, and put the organization on the international map by growing the mission-focused content beyond the local audience in Chicago.

Notable accomplishments included leading thousands of in-person, hybrid, and digital events with government and corporate leaders from around the world, aligning fundraising and narrative with the organizational mission, and reorganizing the team to prioritize data-driven decisions and a digital approach. Most of his work involved working in a complicated content environment where balance and careful planning were essential.

Jon also worked for many years as a co-chair of the Chicago-China Sister Cities program through World Business Chicago. Here he managed many long-term projects alongside the government and private sector, with a highlight being the design, management, and distribution of a major monthly communications strategy under Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s new priorities. With this work, Jon was also a lead coordinator for business and government delegations from all across Asia looking to understand how the Midwest operates internationally.

Prior to this, Jon worked at Community Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE) near Detroit, Michigan where he supported community-based projects, and worked as a mentor in afterschool programs for at-risk youth.

Jon holds his Master’s Degree in International Management from University of London’s SOAS program, and his Bachelor’s Degree from Grand Valley State University.

He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his family. He is a runner, music lover, and avid Arsenal supporter.