Paul Stewart leads Iluminara Public Affairs, a Chicago-based firm providing targeted community relations strategies and effective public affairs campaigns on behalf of clients spanning all sectors of commerce, government and industry. Paul and his team of public affairs and media relations specialists manage corporate strategy, community engagement and media awareness needs of clients based on years of proven and effective strategy execution.

A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Paul began his career as a City Planner in the Chicago Department of Planning & Development (DPD), managing community and business outreach initiatives for major redevelopment projects throughout the city. As a Program Development Manager, and later as Deputy Director of Operations for the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Paul coordinated pre-development activities for construction of new mixed-income housing. In this role he also served as the CHA lead on City of Chicago capital improvement and infrastructure projects in support of the CHA Plan for Transformation revitalization program.

In 2004 Paul transitioned from the public sector to the private sector, working for a Chicago-based public affairs consulting firm. Paul has worked with community, civic, and corporate institutions, providing strategic planning and government relations consulting, along with his aptitude to create order in bureaucratic settings, creating a competitive edge for his clients. In 2016 Paul launched Blackbear Group, a full-service transportation and logistics firm specializing in transportation planning, freight forwarding, and warehousing activities.

Paul returned to the public sector in 2018 as a civilian member of the Chicago Police Department. Working in the Office of the Police Superintendent, Paul was assigned responsibility managing a portfolio of federally mandated reforms within the Department, ranging from officer-involved shooting and misconduct investigations to school resource officer training. Later as a Policy Advisor in the Office of the Mayor, Paul coordinated all policy development and implementation for Chicago’s roll out of legalized recreational cannabis sales which commenced in January 2020. Organizing an effort that involved multiple city agencies, Paul was responsible for ensuring the development of all regulatory and enforcement polices, as well as public engagement activities necessary to successfully introduce recreational cannabis sales into the Chicago market.

Before leaving the Mayor’s Office as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure, Paul oversaw city infrastructure and operational departments on behalf of the Mayor, including the Departments of Fleet & Facilities Management, Transportation, Streets & Sanitation, and Water Management, as well as the Public Building Commission of Chicago, where he was appointed to serve as Secretary to the Board of Commissioners.

Paul and his wife Kristian are very active in numerous civic and community organizations in the Chicagoland area where they are raising their two teenage sons.

Lisa Newman holds the position of (Senior Vice President of Development) with Iluminara Public Affairs. The Iluminara team of public affairs and media relations specialists manage corporate strategy, community engagement and media awareness needs of clients, based on years of proven and effective strategy execution.

In 2009, Ms. Newman joined the Chicago Urban League and served as vice president of development where she reported directly to the President for 3 years. Ms. Newman was responsible for all development needs including raising over $5 million in unrestricted funds via special events, over $1 million in restricted-multi-year grants, database development, relationship management with many local and national corporations. Her duties also included managing numerous auxiliaries and heading the board development committee.

Her previous fundraising experience included over 15 years of campaign fundraising for numerous officials seeking re-election or candidacy. Lisa served as campaign treasurer for both Judy Rice and Stephanie Neely in their roles as City Treasurer of Chicago. She also served as campaign treasurer and event planner Joy Cunningham for IL Appellate Court Judge. Most recently, she served as campaign treasurer for Kim Du Buclet for commissioner of Metropolitan Water Reclamation.

In 2012, Lisa co-founded Creative One Consulting (COC) and served as Managing Partner/Chief Development Officer. COC planned and managed fundraising campaigns and events, organized community-based initiatives and assisted many foundations with marketing and fundraising strategies. Lisa’s clients included Nike, the Wade’s World Foundation, Target, Sinai Community Center, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, Urban Prep School, the Chicago Film Critics’ Awards and Real Men Cook to name a few.

Lisa has served on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago and NW Indiana, and served as commissioner on the Planning and Development Committee in South Holland.

Ryan Jeffries is a graduate of Rutgers University with an undergraduate degree in Developmental and Financial Economics. He earned a master’s degree from New York University (NYU) in International Relations/Private-Sector Economics & Energy Policy, and an MBA from Duke Business School in Economics, Finance and Strategy

Ryan began work on Wall Street and in London at Deutsche Bank, dealing with complex credit derivatives, collateralized debt, project management (certified) and high-value relationship management. He then transitioned into domestic policy, working for President William J. Clinton, where he collaborated with the Economic Policy team focused on Domestic Initiatives. While at the Office of the President, he also facilitated and consulted on the Booz-Allen partnership (Urban Enterprise Initiative), consulting companies throughout New York.

became Vice President at May Davis Global Partners focused in private equity. He structured Private Placement Memorandums, proformas and post- transaction procedures, and assessed qualitative and quantitative firm values. He analyzed and originated investment opportunities across industries including energy, media, telecom, consumer products & retail and healthcare; studied trends, evaluated business plans and final financial models, assessed final capital structure and oversaw the final due diligence process. Later as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Oceans Holdings, Ryan provided simple solutions to big challenges facing asset managers, business owners, municipalities and facilities managers – how to cut cost as budgets shrink?

As Senior Vice President at Iluminara Public Affairs, Ryan manages strategic planning around the corporate and social responsibilities needs of our clients. Ryan resides in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood where he raises his young daughter with his partner.

Javier comes to Iluminara with a passion for community organizing and the arts. He has deep roots in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood where he developed his intrinsic characteristics of hard work and sacrifice due to his challenging childhood. Javier’s passion and dedication, specifically with helping his community, was a natural progression to his career path at Service Employees International Union Local 880 (SEIU Health Care Illinois and Indiana).

Javier dedicated 12 years representing members of SEIU. He ascended upwardly through the ranks, first working in the union’s call center then to its representational department where he won over 2,500 grievances to finally becoming coordinator for the nursing home division representing over 14,000 workers! Javier successfully led five contract campaigns that resulted in over 40% wage increases, affordable health insurance and retirement benefits.

In his role at Iluminara Javier oversees production and implementation of all our clients needs in the areas of video and film production, media and design development, as well as constituency engagement and activation. Javier received his undergraduate degree in visual communications from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago.

Joshua Owens is a native Chicagoan born and raised in the southside community of Auburn Gresham. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Coppin State University in Baltimore Maryland. While a student at Coppin State Joshua was an assistant coach of the Division 1 Men’s Basketball team as well as directing all basketball operations for the team during his 4-year tenure at the university. Upon graduating Coppin Joshua was hired an assistant to the head coach of the Men’s Basketball team at South Suburban College located in South Holland Illinois.

In 2013 Joshua began a career educating children, working as a disciplinarian and paraprofessional in the Sunnybrook School District #171 located in south suburban Cook County. He went on to become a Social Studies instructor for 6th – 8th graders at Bronzeville Academy Charter School on Chicago’s southside. Joshua has worked as an Education Coordinator at Family Focus, formerly known as Chicago Childcare Society, a 170-year old non-profit organization based in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, providing children, youth and families the tools to reach their full potential.

Joshua also owns JEO Training, a sports training and development academy, where he has developed a curriculum to enhance the mental and physical skill level of student athletes from elementary school through post-collegiate sports programs. As Director of Community Programming for Iluminara Public Affairs, Joshua will oversee development and implementation of the community engagement and constituent outreach activities needs of clients. Joshua resides in south suburban Chicagoland with his wife and two daughters.