Èmile Cambry is a nationally recognized educator, entrepreneur, and creative leader dedicated to building pathways to opportunity. As Executive Director of Forest Avenue Outreach, Èmile leads with vision, passion, and a deep commitment to equipping youth with the tools, mentorship, and confidence they need to thrive in the skilled trades.

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A former economics professor and founder of a social innovation hub, Èmile has helped thousands of individuals, especially from underserved communities, gain hands-on experience in technology, business, and the trades. His work in workforce development has been nationally celebrated for its focus on equity, community collaboration, and scalable impact.

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Èmile began his career in global finance, working in J.P. Morgan Chase’s Emerging Markets group, before combining his interests in economics, media, and social change. As a filmmaker, his work has been showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, Canada International Film Festival, and the New York Digital Film Festival, with distribution on HBO and Showtime.

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He holds a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science from the University of Chicago and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

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Èmile’s leadership and storytelling have been featured in Forbes, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune, Black Enterprise, NBC, CNN, Inc. Magazine, and TechCrunch, among others. He has been recognized with honors, including the Ebony Power 100, The Root 100, the University of Chicago Alumni Achievement Award, the SXSW Dewey Winburne Community Service Award, and Inc. Magazine’s list of African-American Influencers Making an Impact on Society.

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At Forest Avenue Outreach, Èmile channels this wealth of experience into building futures, one student, one skill, and one career at a time.