“We are creating an enduring legacy as we shape the world together.”
The Washington Institute for Business, Government and Society is a global nonprofit organization created to bridge critical gaps by facilitating collaboration between public and private sector leaders. As a nonpartisan translator and global voice, we stimulate cooperation and meaningful action, leading to tangible results.
We bring together proven leaders from corporate foundations, government Institution, nonprofit organizations, trade associations, businesses, academia and other entities relevant to our goals and mission. Our Board of Governors and Advisory Council are made up of former heads of state, chief executive officers of major corporations, distinguished academics, award-winning journalists and other accomplished leaders who help define today’s global environment. The Council also includes young people who hold promise as tomorrow’s trailblazers.
We are fiercely independent and determined to address vital, often overlooked issues. Our decisions and actions are informed by decades of experience. We are not confined by a legacy to uphold. Rather, we are focused on the one we are creating today by shaping the world together.
Board of Governors


Vinoda Basnayake, Esq.
Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Chair, District of Columbia Commission on Nightlife and Culture

William Mayer
Former CEO, First Boston Corporation (Credit Suisse)
Chairman Emeritus, The Aspen Institute

David McCourt
CEO, and Founder, Granahan McCourt Capital LLC
Author, “Total Rethink”

Hon. Ann M. Veneman
Former Director, UNICEF
Former Secretary of Agriculture, USDA

Hon. David B. Waller
Former Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency

Hon. Anthony A. Williams
Former Mayor of the District of Columbia (1999 to 2007)
Council of Advisors

Dr. Isabella D. Bunn

Barie Carmichael
Batten Fellow, Darden Business School, University of Virginia
Former Vice President, Dow Corning Corporation

Ronna Chao
Managing Director, Novel Investments Limited
CEO, Bai Xian Asia Institute

Lawrence Chong
Group CEO of Consulus Global Network

Chris Curtin
Chief Brand & Innovation Marketing Officer at Visa

Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid
Executive Director of Qatar Computing Research Institute

H.E Vicente Fox
Former President of Mexico

Anthony Haggar
Chief executive officer of Haggar Trading DMCC

John Huang
Chinese entrepreneur and investor

Robert Kahn
CEO and President of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives
Cofounder of the Internet

Dr. Parag Khanna
The Founder & Managing Partner of FutureMap

Aleksander Kwaśniewski
Former President of Poland

H.E. Luis Alberto Lacalle
Former President of Uruguay

Jimmy Lynn
Co-Founder and Vice President, Kiswe Mobile

William Mayer (Chair)
Former CEO, First Boston Corporation (Credit Suisse)
Chairman Emeritus, The Aspen Institute

Philippe Nacson
CEO & Founding Partner, Ai.VEN

Bill Novelli
Founder of Global Social Enterprise Initiative, Georgetown University

Dame Heather Rabbatts, DBE
Chair, Vero Communications

Genevieve Ryan
Founder and CEO, Real World Playbook

Hemal Vaidya
Principal, Deloitte LLP

Tien Wong
CEO, Opus8, Inc.