A new era for Greater Washington: Leading the digital economy | WBJ Viewpoint

Category: Insights

A new era for Greater Washington: Leading the digital economy | WBJ Viewpoint

Posted on by Board of Trade

Greater Washington is poised to lead the digital economy—if we seize the moment.

In a new piece for the Washington Business Journal, our President & CEO, Jack McDougle, outlines a bold vision for our region’s future.

As federal priorities shift and technology accelerates, Greater Washington has the assets to lead in industry sectors such as cybersecurity, bio-health, quantum computing, and a globally competitive workforce. But we need bold collaboration to modernize education, scale clean energy, and align around shared priorities.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

ABOUT THE BOARD OF TRADE

The Greater Washington Board of Trade, founded in 1889, is the region’s premier non-partisan business organization representing industry, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. The Board of Trade addresses complex and always-evolving business concerns that stretch across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia, with a priority focus on inclusive economic growth, improving the business climate, and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness.  

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What We’re Learning from Regional Leaders About the Path Forward | Executive Lunch Series Insights

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In a time of rapid transformation, the Greater Washington Board of Trade has continued to bring together executive leaders across sectors to explore what it will take to shape a more resilient, competitive, and connected regional economy. 

Through a series of executive lunches this spring, we’ve heard directly from those leading the charge—on the ground, in the boardroom, and across our communities. From energy and transportation infrastructure to education, capital access, and wellness, the discussions have revealed a shared urgency and a growing consensus: Greater Washington is at a defining moment, and the path forward depends on bold collaboration across business, academia, and government. 

A Region Ready for Reinvention 

Whether we’re talking about reshaping our education system or rethinking how we power the future, the message from leaders has been consistent: incremental change is no longer enough. 

Anne Khademian, Executive Director of the Universities at Shady Grove, highlighted how public trust in higher education has declined even as workforce expectations have risen. She emphasized the need for new models that align institutional goals with learner outcomes and employer needs that bring business, government, and academia together around a shared vision for talent development. 

That same spirit of shared responsibility came through in our workforce-focused conversation with Selvon Waldron, Executive Director of Genesys Works. He underscored the importance of early exposure to opportunity and the role that employers can play in building more inclusive pipelines for the next generation of talent. 

Creating the Conditions for Inclusive Growth 

As we navigate rising costs, new technologies, and evolving labor dynamics, the conditions that support business success are shifting. 

At our session focused on capital access, we heard from market presidents of banks across the region who stressed the importance of flexible financing tools, local partnerships, and intentional strategies to direct capital where it can make the biggest impact, especially in underserved communities. 

And in our lunch exploring health and wellness as a strategic business asset, Shannan Herbert, CEO of WACIF, made a powerful case for viewing wellness as a long-term investment. Not just in productivity, but in culture, retention, and community well-being. 

Catalyzing Regional Momentum 

Across these conversations, the role of infrastructure—physical and institutional—has been front and center. At our session on the economic impact of sports, JJ Rivers of Gensler shared how thoughtful sports development projects can revitalize neighborhoods, generate new business activity, and help rebrand DC as a premier destination for both fans and investors. Projects like the Capital One Arena redevelopment are not just entertainment upgrades—they are economic engines. 

And in our session on regional mobility, hosted in partnership with United Airlines, we explored how connectivity—from airports to data systems—drives business growth, talent movement, and broader economic sustainability. 

Leading Through Change 

We’ve also heard directly from executives navigating change in real time. Conversations on leadership, innovation, and economic resilience made clear that today’s environment demands more than strategic planning, which calls for adaptability, transparency, and the ability to unify teams and stakeholders around a shared purpose. 

What’s Next 

Greater Washington has the talent, institutions, and access to lead on the national and global stage but doing so will require us to align more deeply, act more boldly, and collaborate more consistently. These executive lunches aren’t just about sharing insights; they’re about catalyzing action. 

We’ll continue bringing leaders together to shape what’s next for our region, our economy, and our shared future. 

Thank you to Genesys Works and United Airlines for sponsoring lunches that highlight these important discussions and help to shape the dialogue. 

Executive Leadership Roundtable Recap: Leaders Respond to a Changing Economy

Posted on by Board of Trade

On May 9 at our Downtown D.C. office, the Greater Washington Board of Trade convened a candid Executive Leadership Roundtable with Tom Barkin, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. This session brought together senior executives from across the region for an exchange on national economic trends, regional business conditions, and the future of our workforce and markets.

Our members brought candor, insight, and urgency to the conversation, reflecting the realities of leading through disruption. While the economic data offers mixed signals, business leaders are navigating real-time volatility in pricing, hiring, trade policy, and consumer behavior. The conversation underscored that conventional playbooks no longer apply in the same ways, and leaders must adapt to a system defined by speed, decentralization, and growing complexity.

Several recurring themes emerged:

  • Persistent labor shortages—not just in volume, but in skills alignment
  • Rising operating costs and uncertainty around tariffs, housing, and energy
  • The growing impact of AI and automation across internal operations
  • A shared desire for better federal-local alignment in economic response
  • The importance of timely, trusted data to supplement lagging indicators

The conversation reinforced a critical truth: Greater Washington cannot afford to plan for the economy of the past. Across sectors, leaders are grappling with systems and structures that were built for another era. What’s needed now is not only new solutions, but new ways of thinking.

The Board of Trade will continue to foster these executive-level dialogues, providing space for leaders to test assumptions, exchange strategies, and shape a more resilient, competitive region.

Mark your calendar: Our next Executive Leadership Roundtable with Tom Barkin will take place on October 17. Registration details will be shared soon—stay tuned.

​​Thank you to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond for sponsoring this vital discussion that engages our members and partners in the region.

Agenda Watch: Leading Through the First 100 Days

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The first 100 days of a presidential administration are typically seen as a critical window for shaping priorities and building momentum. But as we heard in our latest Agenda Watch session – hosted in partnership with K&L Gates – this administration isn’t waiting around. The pace is so rapid, you can barely compute the first 100 hours, let alone the first 100 days. 

Well over 100 executive orders have already been issued – marking a historic pace of presidential action. Senior officials were vetted and ready well before Inauguration Day. Federal agencies are moving quickly to execute an ambitious and sweeping plan to reshape the size, scope, and style of government. What may look chaotic on the surface is in fact a tightly coordinated and years-in-the-making strategy to act with speed and authority – especially in areas where congressional consensus is unlikely.

While much of the conversation centers on specific policy actions, what’s unfolding is part of a broader transformation—one that reflects a shift from the analog operating model of the past century to a digital-first, disruption-driven approach to governance. We’re witnessing the federal system being rewired for a new era: one defined by speed, decentralization, and real-time decision-making. The implications go far beyond politics—they challenge long-standing assumptions about how government functions, and how leaders outside of government must respond.

That’s why we launched Agenda Watch. This program is designed to help leaders in the Greater Washington business community stay ahead of these shifts—not just as observers, but as strategic actors. During our most recent session, we explored what these developments mean for the region and how leaders can adapt in an environment increasingly defined by volatility, speed, and structural change.

The Core Question: How do leaders navigate this moment of compressed change? 

Among the key takeaways from the briefing: 

  • This is more than politics—it’s structural. While many moves reflect a long-standing conservative vision for shrinking government, they also represent a shift in how executive power is being exercised – faster, more centralized, and more willing to sidestep traditional federal processes. 
  • Executive orders are setting tone and direction. Though not equivalent to permanent law, the early wave of executive actions is already reshaping policy implementation. They signal priorities, shift agency focus, and can lay the groundwork for future regulatory or legislative changes. Their volume and velocity are strategic. 
  • Engagement doesn’t equal endorsement—but it matters. Business leaders must navigate unpredictability with discipline. Staying engaged across the political spectrum is essential for understanding how decisions are being made, where there’s room to align, and when to proactively offer alternatives. 
  • National security—not just economic policy—is the driving lens. Decisions about AI, energy, workforce policy, and trade are increasingly shaped by geopolitical risk and the desire for U.S. self-reliance. That includes efforts to reduce dependence on China for critical materials, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and secure technological leadership. While these objectives are clear, their policy paths may feel contradictory or disjointed at times. 

VIEW MORE PHOTOS HERE

This goes beyond politics and policy—it’s about leadership in flux. 

For leaders across business, government, and the civic sector, the challenge isn’t just responding to change – it’s anticipating and absorbing it. The rules of engagement are evolving, but so are the expectations for how organizations show up, plan, and lead. 

As the session concluded, four guiding principles emerged to help frame decision-making in this climate: 

  • Acknowledge volatility as a constant
    Volatility is not episodic anymore – it’s systemic. Economic, regulatory, and political disruptions are happening in shorter, faster cycles. 
  • Balance long-term strategy with short-term agility
    You need both a long-term strategy and the flexibility to pivot. Resilience lies in the ability to move between the two without losing your direction. 
  • Embrace calculated risk to stay competitive
    Managing risk is no longer about avoidance – it’s about understanding, adapting, and acting. Those who take thoughtful risks will be better positioned to lead through disruption. 
  • Own your narrative—and ground it in shared outcomes
    Don’t let others define your organization’s values or voice. Ground your message in shared economic outcomes, practical problem-solving, and the ability to work across divides. 

The Board of Trade will continue to provide tools, insights, and convenings to support our members in this shifting landscape. Through Agenda Watch and other programming, we’re committed to elevating nonpartisan analysis, amplifying regional priorities, and helping our members lead through uncertainty with clarity and confidence. 

​​Thank you to K&L Gates for sponsoring this vital discussion that engages our members and partners in the Greater Washington region. 

Turning Vision Into Action: Spring 2025 Board Meeting Recap

Posted on by Comms Department

At the Board of Trade’s Spring 2025 Board Meeting, 2025 Chair Jeremy Blank and President & CEO Jack McDougle opened with a clear message: the pace and complexity of change across our region is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Federal policy shifts, disruptive technologies, and rising economic pressure are creating real challenges for local governments, employers, and workers alike.

But amid that turbulence lies opportunity—and Greater Washington has the assets, talent, and leadership to shape what comes next. That’s why, throughout this year, the Board of Trade is focused on doing what we do best: bringing people together to think strategically, act collaboratively, and lead with purpose.

Our greatest strength is convening leaders across business, government, academia, and the nonprofit sector—not just to respond to change, but to shape what comes next. We create space to share best practices, spark new ideas, and support business development across the region. While others are focused on immediate needs—which we support and value—we stay focused on the long game: improving the business environment, identifying trends, and helping leaders navigate what’s ahead.

We’ve made meaningful progress on that front, from Metro’s strong recovery to breakthrough conversations on regional transit integration, economic competitiveness, and public-private partnership. But at our Spring meeting, the focus turned toward the future.

Board Members Help Map Greater Washington’s Future

As part of the meeting, board members took part in a facilitated working session: Mapping Greater Washington’s Economic Future. The exercise challenged participants to imagine the region in 2035—either thriving or falling behind—and reflect on what made the difference.

The conversation was candid, energetic, and hopeful. Here are five key themes that emerged:

  • Regionalism remains the greatest challenge—and greatest opportunity. Collaboration across jurisdictions is critical to long-term success. New models of coordination, shared economic incentives, and bold leadership are needed to move forward as one region.
  • We need a clear regional vision—and a compelling brand. From placemaking to major global events, leaders emphasized the importance of setting bold goals and telling a stronger story about why this region is competitive, connected, and worth investing in.
  • The business community must lead the way. While government plays a role, private sector leadership is essential to drive workforce development, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic growth.
  • We have the assets—now it’s time to activate them. Whether it’s quantum research, underutilized federal real estate, or the talent pipeline coming out of our universities, our strengths are clear. Now we need alignment and execution.
  • We need clear long-term markers. Just as decisions decades ago led to Dulles and the Silver Line, board members called for bold, forward-looking bets that define where we want to be by 2040—and the steps to get there.

The Board of Trade will use these insights to shape our year-round programming and guide the Potomac Conference, a collaborative regional strategy effort with our partners at the Council of Governments, the Consortium of Universities, and the Greater Washington Partnership. As we look forward, one thing is clear: no single organization or jurisdiction can build this region’s future alone. It takes real collaboration—and a shared commitment to something bigger than any one entity.

What’s Next: Organizational Momentum and Member Engagement

Membership engagement and growth remain strong, with new organizations joining the Board’s mission to lead regional progress. Sponsorship and strategic investment continue to reflect deep support from across the business community, while financial stability and operational strength provide a solid foundation for long-term impact. The Board of Trade’s programming and advocacy efforts are also gaining momentum—bringing together business and civic leaders to assess federal policy shifts, hosting high-level conversations like the upcoming Tom Barkin Roundtable and Agenda Watch 2025, and amplifying the business voice through increased visibility in media and policy circles.

The Spring Board Meeting made one thing clear: our region’s future depends on the actions we take today. With growing momentum, a clear strategy, and the deep engagement of our members, the Board of Trade is proud to lead this work—and help build a more competitive, connected, and forward-looking region.

As always, we’re grateful to our members for their leadership, participation, and support. Together, we’re not just responding to change—we’re helping shape what comes next for Greater Washington.

From the Classroom to Congress: Don Beyer discusses the future of Artificial Intelligence

Posted on by Board of Trade

The Board of Trade hosted a dynamic and thought-provoking fireside chat on artificial intelligence featuring Virginia Congressman Don Beyer and Jamil Jaffer, Founder & Executive Director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University.

The conversation focused on the future of AI policy, innovation, and the balance between rapid technological advancement and the need for safety, trust, and governance. Congressman Beyer — who is currently taking graduate-level courses on AI at George Mason University to understand the field better — spoke about his commitment to informed policymaking and his sponsorship of the bipartisan CREATE AI Act, which seeks to expand access to AI research tools across the country.

The conversation also explored critical issues such as national security (including how AI technology is increasingly being integrated into our defense systems), the importance of balanced federal oversight that supports both developers and end users, and the potential implications of AI on key sectors like infrastructure and financial markets.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT

Congressman Beyer has been involved in AI policy issues at the congressional level for some time now. He discussed his leadership in advancing the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act and his ongoing work with the House Task Force on AI. Beyer has also been a part of other AI-focused Congressional bodies, including the AI Caucus and the AI Working Group.

In a truly engaging moment, both students and business professionals had the opportunity to ask Congressman Beyer direct questions about the implications of AI for industry, public policy, and workforce development. The exchange highlighted the critical importance of cross-sector collaboration as the technology continues to evolve.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important conversation on one of the most transformative technologies of our time. Stay tuned for more events at the intersection of innovation and policy.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING THIS EVENT

Testimony to DC Council: Workforce Strategies Must Support Economic Growth and Resilience

Posted on by Board of Trade

About this Testimony:

The Greater Washington region is at a pivotal moment when it comes to workforce development. Shifts in the federal employment landscape, combined with long-standing challenges around talent access and equitable opportunity, demand a bold, coordinated response. On behalf of the Board of Trade, President and CEO Jack McDougle delivered the following testimony to the D.C. Council’s Committee on Executive Administration and Labor. His remarks emphasize the need for a modern, regionally aligned workforce system, one that bridges gaps between employers and talent, supports economic resilience, and ensures D.C. residents and businesses can thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Submitted Testimony: 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Chairperson Anita Bonds and members of the Committee,

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. My name is Jack McDougle, and I am President and CEO of the Board of Trade. Founded in 1889, we represent hundreds of employers—with thousands of workers— across the Washington region who rely on a skilled, adaptable, and inclusive workforce to compete—and who are committed to helping strengthen the workforce in the District and throughout the metro area. 

Workforce challenges aren’t new. This region has long been home to one of the most highly educated and skilled workforces in the country. We have some of the best universities, research institutions, and federal expertise anywhere. But employers still struggle to find the right talent at the right time. And too many residents still face barriers to getting their foot in the door. 

Now, those long-standing challenges are intersecting with something bigger and more immediate. 

The federal government—long the backbone of our regional economy—is changing. Telework, digitization, automation, and agency consolidation are reducing the federal footprint, especially in downtown D.C. That’s affecting not just jobs, but office occupancy, small business vitality, and city revenues. Thousands of workers are being displaced or restructured, many of them with valuable skills—but without a clear path forward. Meanwhile, many D.C. residents are still disconnected from the workforce entirely.  

So, we’re facing a multi-sided problem: how to help people enter the workforce, how to help experienced professionals transition into new roles and how to attract and retain the talent we need to compete. 

Solving this isn’t just about creating more training programs. It’s about building a coordinated, regional system that connects people to opportunity—wherever the job is—and helps employers find talent—wherever that talent lives. 

Why a Regional Approach Matters 

The District lies at the economic center of a much larger labor market. Roughly two-thirds of jobs in D.C. are held by people who live in Maryland or Virginia. At the same time, tens of thousands of District residents commute to jobs outside the city every day. 

If we’re serious about increasing economic opportunity for D.C. residents, we can’t limit our thinking to only jobs within city limits. Likewise, if we want to strengthen D.C.’s job base and bring people back into our downtown corridors, we need to make it easier for talent across the region to access those jobs. 

This requires a level of policy alignment, data sharing, and joint investment that we simply do not have today. 

Some progress is underway. Virginia’s G3 program, for example, offers tuition-free community college in high-demand fields like IT, healthcare, and skilled trades—paired with employer engagement. Maryland is investing in apprenticeship expansion and industry-led partnerships through its Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) initiative. 

Virginia has also taken steps to streamline its workforce system by consolidating dozens of fragmented programs under the purview of the newly established Virginia Office of Education and Labor, with the goal of improving coordination, reducing duplication, and aligning training more directly with employer needs. 

And in D.C., we’re seeing promising models too—like the Infrastructure Academy’s partnerships with Pepco and WMATA to prepare residents for real jobs in energy and transportation. But we need more coordination across the region, and better data to guide investment. 

What the Council Can Do 

Here are five ways the District can lead in FY26—and help build a workforce system that reflects how people live, work, and move across this region. 

  1. Support a Regional, Data-Driven Workforce Strategy
    Our region lacks a shared, real-time understanding of workforce supply and demand. Employers, educators, training providers, and governments all make decisions based on partial or outdated information. We strongly urge the District to partner with neighboring jurisdictions—Maryland, Virginia, and regional planning bodies—to develop a unified baseline of current labor market conditions. This should include disaggregated data by industry, occupation, skills, demographics, and geography.

Such a baseline would allow all of us to align efforts, avoid duplication, target investment, and measure progress consistently. 

Recommendation: 
Support the creation of a Regional Workforce Intelligence Hub, in partnership with MWCOG, Consortium of Universities, the Workforce Investment Council, and workforce leaders in Maryland and Virginia. 

  • Helps align training programs with actual job demand 
  • Track skill gaps and mobility across jurisdictions 
  • Provides clear, actionable data for jobseekers, employers, and policymakers alike 

This is core infrastructure for smarter decisions and stronger outcomes. 

  1. Expand Employer-Led Training with Cross-Jurisdiction Portability
    We need to move even further beyond traditional classroom models and embrace demand-driven, work-based learning. The Council can promote public-private partnerships that create apprenticeships, industry bootcamps, and employer-sponsored credentials—especially in high-growth sectors like IT, clean energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

Recommendation: 
Invest in Workforce Innovation Grants that support partnerships between employers and training providers focused on: 

  • Industry-designed curricula 
  • Paid apprenticeships and bootcamps 
  • Credentials recognized across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia 
  • Reducing administrative barriers for employer participation  

This builds on successful approaches already in motion. We’ve seen how employer-driven programs at UDC, the Healthcare Workforce Partnership, and the Tech Apprenticeship Program at Northern Virginia Community College can deliver talent that’s job-ready from day one. 

  1. Launch a Federal Workforce Transition Program
    Thousands of federal and contractor workers are being impacted by the ongoing restructuring. Many have transferable skills—but need targeted support to pivot into new fields.

Recommendation: 
Create an integrated Federal Transition Upskilling Program to provide: 

  • Training in high-demand private-sector fields (e.g., cybersecurity, project management, clean energy) 
  • Career coaching and job placement support 
  • Incentives for regional employers to hire transitioning talent 

This helps retain experienced professionals in the region and prevents talent loss from the city’s core. 

  1. Invest in Wraparound Supports for Jobseekers
    Access to training is meaningless if people can’t show up. We hear this all the time from employers and community partners—people are ready to work but face real barriers.

Recommendation: 
Prioritize supports that make workforce participation possible: 

  • Childcare for jobseekers and trainees 
  • Free or subsidized Metro, MARC, VRE or other mobility access 
  • Navigation and coaching services that help residents see—and pursue—what’s possible across the region 

These supports may seem small, but they’re game-changers for residents balancing work, family, and training. 

  1. Strengthen the District’s Workforce Infrastructure
    The District’s workforce system needs to be agile, integrated, and built to partner—both internally and across borders. We encourage the Council to break down silos—between workforce, education, economic development, and human services—and between the District and its regional peers. The economic fate of this region is shared. No single jurisdiction can go it alone.

Recommendation: 
Further support DOES and the Workforce Investment Council to: 

  • Modernize operations and digital tools for job matching and tracking 
  • Improve coordination across education, training, and economic development 
  • Evaluate long-term outcomes—not just short-term placements 

This ensures our systems are working smarter, not just harder. 

Conclusion: Shared Workforce, Shared Responsibility 

The workforce challenges we face—recruitment, retention, displacement, inequity, skills misalignment—don’t stop at jurisdictional borders. Our solutions can’t either. 

The District has a chance to lead—not only in reimagining how we support residents and businesses, but in showing what regional collaboration can look like when it’s done right. 

Let’s connect the dots between employers, workers, and opportunity—no matter where they’re starting from. Let’s build a workforce system that reflects how people actually live and work across the region. 

Sincerely,

Jack McDougle

President & CEO 

Greater Washington Board of Trade

See Additional Testimonies and Letters of Support we have submitted recently:

Letter of Support: ‘Local Funds Act of 2025’ Protects DC’s Authority to Spend Locally Raised Revenue

Testimony: Submitted to DC Council, Committee on Business & Economic Development

Letter to Congress: Addressing Concerns with House Concurrent Resolution 14

Congress Should Preserve DC’s Home Rule and Withdraw the Bowser Act | WBJ Viewpoint

Letter of Support: ‘Local Funds Act of 2025’ Protects DC’s Authority to Spend Locally Raised Revenue

Posted on by Board of Trade

About this Letter of Support:

Greater Washington Board of Trade President & CEO Jack McDougle submitted testimony to the United States House of Representatives showing strong support for the District of Columbia Local Funds Act of 2025 (S. 1077), a bipartisan bill that protects D.C.’s authority to spend its locally raised revenue, without cost to the federal government. Passage of this legislation is essential to preventing a $1.1 billion budget shortfall and ensuring continued funding for core public services that underpin the economic health of the District and the entire metropolitan region. The following testimony outlines the business community’s position and the critical importance of timely congressional action.

Letter of Support: 

DOWNLOAD HERE

March 27, 2025

Dear Mr. Speaker (Mike Johnson) and Representative Hakeem Jefferies,

On behalf of the Greater Washington Board of Trade — representing the business community of the D.C. metropolitan region since 1889 — I write to express our strong support for the District of Columbia Local Funds Act of 2025 (S. 1077).

This bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously on March 14, affirms D.C.’s authority to spend its locally raised revenues and averts an immediate $1.1 billion budget shortfall. It is essential to sustaining the economic stability of the District and the broader regional economy. We urge the House to pass this bill without delay.

The District raises the vast majority of its revenue independently—there is no cost to the federal government. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office confirms that S. 1077 has no impact on the federal budget. What it does do is allow the District to implement its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which Congress already approved through continuing resolutions in September and December (P.L. 118-83 and P.L. 118-158).

These funds are critical to the operation of public services and infrastructure that underpin D.C.’s and the region’s economic health — transportation, public safety, healthcare, education, and more. Without them, the resulting budget gap would ripple across the region, weakening consumer confidence, shrinking business revenue, and putting jobs at risk. The impact wouldn’t stop at the District’s borders — it would affect the entire regional economy, including D.C.’s 700,000 residents and the nearly 26 million visitors who came to the nation’s capital last year.

From retail and real estate to hospitality and professional services, businesses across sectors would feel the blow. Abrupt cuts at this scale would increase costs, slow investment, and threaten the momentum of recovery and growth – especially needed as efforts continue to transform the federal government.

We fully support the importance of fiscal responsibility, including reducing the national debt. But for over two decades, every continuing resolution has included language allowing D.C. to spend its own locally passed, balanced budget. This year should be no different.

Economic strength in the Greater Washington region is not just a local issue — it’s a matter of national importance. Congress must give the District the certainty it needs to manage its finances and sustain the services that drive this region forward.

We respectfully urge you to support S. 1077, and we stand ready to work with you to keep our region strong, stable, and growing.

Sincerely,

Jack McDougle

President & CEO 

Greater Washington Board of Trade

 

See Additional Testimonies and Letters of Support we have submitted recently:

Testimony to DC Council: Workforce Strategies Must Support Economic Growth and Resilience

Letter to Congress: Addressing Concerns with House Concurrent Resolution 14

Testimony: Submitted to DC Council, Committee on Business & Economic Development

Congress Should Preserve DC’s Home Rule and Withdraw the Bowser Act | WBJ Viewpoint

Courageous Leadership: Navigating Uncertainty & Taking Bold Action with Dr. Margie Warrell

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Leadership, at its core, isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to act, even in the face of uncertainty. That message resonated deeply during a recent professional networking event hosted by the Board of Trade and Ridgewells Catering, where local executives and rising professionals gathered for a powerful roundtable discussion led by Dr. Margie Warrell, bestselling author of The Courage Gap, and Susan Lacz, CEO and Hospitality Maven of Ridgewells.

Held at Ridgewells’ renovated Bethesda headquarters, the event featured an engaging and candid conversation on the role of fear, resilience, and decision-making in leadership. Dr. Warrell and Lacz shared personal stories and actionable strategies for navigating challenges and stepping outside your comfort zone, with insights especially relevant in today’s fast-changing business climate.

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This discussion emphasized that real leadership is fueled by clarity, not certainty. Whether you’re making high-stakes decisions or managing day-to-day operations, the ability to act decisively while embracing discomfort can set great leaders apart. Attendees left with fresh perspectives on how to turn hesitation into opportunity and how to lead with greater impact at every level.

Guests also enjoyed a warm atmosphere of networking and connection over beautifully crafted hors d’oeuvres and drinks, provided by Ridgewells’ talented culinary team. More than just an evening of inspiration, the event underscored the value of community and the importance of creating space for open, honest conversations around leadership.

The night served as a bold reminder: courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the decision to move forward in spite of it.

Thank you to our member, Ridgewells Catering, for partnering with the Board of Trade for this event.

Watch the full discussion between Susan Lacz and Dr. Margie Warrell below:

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