Event Recap – October 9, 2026
More than 300 government, philanthropic, business and nonprofit leaders gathered at the Obama Presidential Center on October 8, 2026 for “The Power of Youth Mentoring: Investing in What Works for Young People and Communities.”
Co-hosted by Youth Guidance and Results for America, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping governments invest in what works, the event spotlighted Chicago’s success in expanding evidence-based youth mentoring programs to reach thousands of young people. The initiative is featured in Results for America’s new book, Do What Works. The event also attracted media coverage from NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, WGN, and other outlets.
Watch highlights of the event:
Speakers included:
Michael Strautmanis
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, The Obama Foundation
Michele Jolin
CEO and Co-Founder, Results for America
Ambassador Rahm Emanuel
Former Chicago Mayor & U.S. Ambassador to Japan
Lisa Morrison Butler
Executive Vice President & Chief Impact Officer, Results for America;
Former Commissioner, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
Monica Bhatt
Senior Research Director, University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab
A.J. Watson
Senior Director of National Portfolio, Youth Guidance
Arnie Rivera
Executive Director, Chicago Education Alliance
Abolarinwa “Bola” Kalejaiye
BAM Alum, Youth Guidance
Destiny Freeman
WOW Alum, Youth Guidance
Michelle Adler Morrison
Chief Executive Officer, Youth Guidance
David Medina
COO and Co-Founder, Results for America
View the media coverage:
For more coverage, view the stories from:
See photos of the event: (Photo Credit: Grey Matter Photography)
