Who we are - Washington Institute for Business Government and Society

Aleksander Kwaśniewski

Aleksander Kwaśniewski is the former President of the Republic of Poland (1995 – 2005). He was born on the 15th November 1954, in Białogard, Poland.He participated in the famous “Round-Table” negotiations in Poland that finally brought the peaceful transformation of Poland and the whole Central and Eastern Europe from communism to democracy. A co-founding member and first chairman of the Social Democratic Party of the Republic of Poland. He won the presidential elections for the first time in 1995, starting against Lech Walesa. Co-author of the new democratic Constitution of Poland, which he signed into law on July 16th, 1997.

A great advocate of Poland’s membership in both NATO and the European Union. It was under his leadership that Poland finally joined NATO in 1999. He is an active supporter of further alliance enlargement under the “open door” policy. A strong proponent of European integration, Kwaśniewski campaigned for approval of the European Union accession treaty in 2003, and saw Poland become a member on May 1, 2004. Aleksander Kwaśniewski was one of the leading figures in European Politics. Author of numerous local and regional initiatives, decisively joined the global war on terror and backed the decision to send Polish troops to the war against Saddam Hussein. Long – standing supporter of Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty, Aleksander Kwaśniewski inspired the international mediation efforts during the 2004 Orange Revolution, helping the young democracy in Ukraine to prevail.

During his Presidency, he couragesly confronted the past, significantly contributing to the reconciliation between Poles and the German, Jewish and Ukrainian people. On March 7, 2006, Kwaśniewski was appointed Distinguished Scholar in the Practice of Global Leadership at Georgetown University, where, as a visiting faculty member, he taught students in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service about contemporary European politics, the trans-Atlantic relationship and democratization in Central and Eastern Europe. He is also i.a. member of the Board of Trustees of the International Crisis Group, member of the Atlantic Council of the United States, member of the Bilderberg Group, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Amicus Europae Foundation in Warsaw and International Center for Political Studies in Kiev, Head of the International Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, Head of the Board of Yalta European Strategy. Until November 2013, President Kwaśniewski co-lead the European Parliament monitoring mission in Ukraine to monitor the criminal cases against Yulia Tymoshenko, Yuriy Lutsenko and Valeriy Ivaschenko.

Chris Curtin

Christopher N. Curtin was most recently the Chief Marketing Innovation and Brand Officer for Visa, one of the world’s largest multinational financial services companies. In his role, Chris was responsible for many of Visa’s high-profile marketing efforts, including those for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and the company’s Super Bowl 50, NFL and FIFA sponsorships. As Chief Brand Officer, Chris led the effort behind Visa improving its standing from the 20th most valuable brand in the world to the 5th. Chris oversaw the company’s sponsorship of the first-ever Olympic Refugee team which debuted at the Summer Games in Rio De Janeiro. He is a champion of equal rights, and led Visa’s efforts to ensure that US Soccer Federation supported the men’s and women’s programs equally and evenly.

Christopher joined Visa in 2013 as SVP for Global Innovation Marketing and Chief Digital Officer, a role in which he led the development of global marketing strategies that drove the adoption of Visa’s digital payment products and platforms. He managed a cross-functional team that created Visa’s social and digital strategy and led the rollout of new digital products, as well as the largest alternative payment initiative in company history.

He began his career in 1995 with The Walt Disney Company where he held a number of senior roles, including VP of Corporate Synergy and Special Projects and Special Advisor to the CEO. As VP of Global Media and Technology, he developed new media marketing plans and strategies for parks in Orlando, Anaheim, Paris, Hong Kong and offshore properties operated by Disney Cruise lines. As GM and VP of the Muppets Holding Company, Christopher designed a five-year strategic plan that included revitalizing the merchandise and home video businesses, expanding the franchise internationally, and rolling out entertainment appearances on Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live, which generated a 40 percent surplus in operating income and triple-digit revenue growth.

Dr. Isabella D. Bunn

Dr. Isabella D. Bunn has transatlantic experience in international economic law and policy, including as corporate counsel, trade and investment director, and endowed professor of business ethics. Based at the University of Oxford, she is Research Fellow in Governance and Global Ethics at Regent’s Park College, Associate Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture, and Trustee of the Oxford Peace Research Trust. Isabella serves on the International Advisory Council of Oxford Analytica, a geopolitical consulting firm, and as Senior Advisor to its Foundation. She is also engaged with the British Academy as a member of their Corporate Advisory Group for the Future of the Corporation program.

Throughout her career Isabella has held leadership roles within the global legal profession, and is currently an American Bar Association Representative to the United Nations. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, Master of Arts in International Relations, Juris Doctor cum laude, Master of Philosophy in Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights Law.

Dame Heather Rabbatts, DBE

Heather Rabbatts is a businesswoman whose career covers law, government, sport and media, including high profile positions at the Football Association, Millwall Football Club, the BBC, and Channel 4. She was Executive Deputy Chair of Millwall F.C. for four years from 2006 and in 2012 she became the first female board member of the Football Association, serving on the Remuneration Committee. She has served on the boards of Arts Alliance and the Football Association, where she also headed the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board. She has served on the board of Crossrail and in supervisory roles at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the LSE, and the British Council. She was also a non-Executive Director of the Bank of England. Currently she serves as chair of Vero Communications.

Hon. James P. Moore, Jr.

James P. Moore, Jr. is the founder and CEO of the Washington Institute for Business, Government and Society. Prior to launching the Institute, he served as Managing Director of the Business and Public Policy Initiative at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and taught courses in international trade, ethics, management and leadership. Earlier in his career, Moore served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for International and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Information and Analysis. Concurrently, he was named head of U.S. Delegation to the Industry Committee of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris and head of delegation to the Bureau of International Expositions. Upon leaving the U.S. government, he founded ATI, a global investment banking firm, with offices in Moscow, London, Doha, Washington and New York. He has received a number of honors both in the United States and abroad.

Vinoda Basnayake, Esq.

Vinoda Basnayake is a partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s Washington office where he assists foreign governments and international corporations in legislative and policy matters. He also chairs the firm’s District of Columbia Government Relations Practice. Basnayake also serves as the Principal and Founder of Versus Equity, Chairman of DC Vote and Commissioner of the Small and Local Business Opportunity Commission for DC. He previously served as a Special Advisor at Patton Boggs LLP, Interim Director at International Gateway Trade Center and Financial Consultant at The World Bank. Basnayake was recognized as one of the most influential Washingtonians under 40 by Washington Life Magazine for several years in a row and named one of Washington’s “Power 30 Under 30” in 2010.

Hon. Ann M. Veneman

Ann M. Veneman became UNICEF’s fifth Executive Director in 2005. Under her management, UNICEF launched initiatives to improve business practices, transparency and collaboration to ensure that the agency’s programs reached those most vulnerable and that its resources were utilized efficiently to protect, save and improve the lives of children around the world. Prior to joining UNICEF, Veneman served as Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2003, she hosted the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology, bringing together leaders from 120 nations to explore new approaches to global hunger and the better use of science and technology to reduce hunger and poverty in developing countries. Veneman held various other positions at USDA, including Deputy Secretary, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs and Associate Administer of the Foreign Agricultural Service. She also served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. In 2009, she was named to Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list, ranking #46.

Hon. David B. Waller

Promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology, David Waller served as Deputy Director General and head of management of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Prior to IAEA, Waller was appointed Vice-Chair of the UN system wide High Level Committee on Management. Earlier in his career, Waller was nominated by President Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs. In that capacity, he was the Secretary of Energy’s chief advisor and spokesman on international energy policy and emergency preparedness. In addition, he served as Senior Associate Counsel to the President at the White House during the Raegan Administration. In 1989, Waller was presented the Secretary’s Award — the highest honor given by the Department of Energy — for outstanding leadership. And, in 2011 the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) awarded him its Gold Medal in recognition of his contribution to the reduction of the threat of nuclear weapons.

Hon. Anthony A. Williams

Anthony (Tony) Williams, former Mayor of Washington, D.C., is currently CEO of the Federal City Council, an organization which serves as a catalyst for progress in the Nation’s Capital by focusing the creative and administrative talents of Washington’s business and professional leaders on major problems and opportunities that are facing the city. Prior to this he served as the Executive Director of the Global Government Practice at the Corporate Executive Board in Arlington, Virginia. He also serves as the William H. Bloomberg Lecturer in Public Management at the Harvard Kennedy School. In addition, he is a Senior Consultant to the firm McKenna Long and Aldridge. Before his service in local Washington, Williams served as the first CFO for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and former President of the National League of Cities. He holds a number of awards and honorary degrees, including Governing Magazine Public Official of the Year.

William E. Mayer

William E. Mayer is a Director of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation. Since 1999, Mayer has been a partner at Park Avenue Equity Partners, L.P. (“Park Avenue”), which he co-founded. From 1996 until the formation of Park Avenue, Mayer was a founding Partner of Development Capital. Earlier in his career Mayer was a professor and Dean of the College of Business and Management at the University of Maryland and Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester. Mayer also was the President and Chief Executive Officer for The First Boston Corporation (now Credit Suisse). Mayer was named to the 2013 NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors), which honors leaders in corporate governance and in the boardroom.

Barie Carmichael

Barie Carmichael is a Senior Counselor at the global communications consultancy APCO Worldwide. She has more than 35 years of experience directing global corporate communication and has managed strategic corporate communication on a global scale in a variety of industries. Carmichael is also a co-author of Columbia University Press’ Reset: Business and Society in the New Social Landscape. Previously, she served as Dow Corning Corporation’s chief communications officer. In addition to her work at Dow Corning Corporation, Carmichael was formerly a partner at The Brunswick Group and also served as VISA USA’s executive vice president of corporate relations. Carmichael is a Batten Fellow at The University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate Business School and is also a member of the Arthur W. Page Society. Throughout her career, she has won numerous awards for issue management, employee communication and change management.

Vicente Fox

Vicente Fox is a businessman and politician who was president of Mexico from 2000 to 2006. As President Fox focused his early efforts on improving trade relations with the U.S., calming civil unrest and reducing corruption, crime and drug trafficking. In 2001, his administration introduced constitutional reforms that strengthened the rights of Mexico’s indigenous peoples. Before his presidency, Fox was a route supervisor for the Mexican unit of the Coca-Cola Company. After a series of promotions, he served as the company’s chief executive in Mexico and then head of its Latin American operations.

Robert Kahn

Robert Kahn is the co-inventor of the TCP/IP protocols and was responsible for originating DARPA’s Internet program. Known as one of the “Fathers of the Internet,” Kahn demonstrated the ARPNET by connecting 20 different computers at the International Computer Communication Conference. While Director of Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) at DARPA, he initiated the United States government’s billion dollar Strategic Computing Program, the largest computer research and development program ever undertaken by the federal government. In December 1997, President Bill Clinton presented the U.S. National Medal of Technology to Kahn and his colleague, Vinton Cerf, for founding and developing the Internet. In 2004, Kahn was the recipient of the ACM Alan M. Turing award (sometimes called the “Nobel Prize of Computer Science”) and in 2005 he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush.

Jack Markell

Jack Markell was sworn in as Delaware’s governor on January 19, 2009, and was sworn in for his second term on January 15, 2013. He focused on economic development, education and workforce training as top priorities. Beginning his career in the private sector, Markell helped lead the wireless technology revolution as the 13th employee at Nextel, where he served as senior vice president for corporate development. His other business experience includes a senior management position at Comcast Corporation, work as a consultant with McKinsey and Company and as a banker at First Chicago Corporation. He was elected state treasurer in 1998, winning three consecutive terms, including his last re-election in November of 2006. He has been recognized in Delaware and across the country as a leader in promoting policies to help all people achieve their economic potential. Markell is a Henry Crown Fellow and a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute.

Genevieve Ryan

Genevieve Ryan is the Founder and CEO of Real World Playbook, a company that helps twenty-somethings navigate the transition from school into the working world. She has had a broad array of professional experience across business, law and government. An attorney by profession, she received her JD/MBA from Georgetown University and worked on strategic partnerships at Goldman Sachs until leaving to found Real World Playbook. Beyond her work in the entrepreneurial world, Ryan is passionate about women’s empowerment, education and national security. She currently serves as a member of the Pencils of Promise Leadership Council and the Acumen Fund Young Professional Committee.

Bill Novelli

William “Bill” Novelli is the founder of the Global Social Enterprise Initiative at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Bill started his career as an account supervisor in New York City, and later became the Director of Creative Services and Advertising for the Peace Corps. Before joining Georgetown University as a professor and manager of GSEI, he was CEO of AARP and founded Porter Novelli, now one of the world’s largest public relations firms. Bill is also the co-chair of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, a national alliance dedicated to reforming advanced illness/end of life care in the U.S.

David McCourt

David C. McCourt is the founder of Granahan McCourt Capital, LLC and serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McCourt is the Founder of Discovery Television, and also formed Satellite Holdings, LLC. He has been an innovator, entrepreneur and business leader across communications and media industries for over 25 years and is widely recognized as a transformational force in the telecommunications industry.

Ronna Chao

Ms. Ronna CHAO is CEO of Novel Investment Partners Limited, Chairman of Novetex Textiles Limited, a Director of Novelpark Investments Limited and the CEO of Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI). Through BXAI, Ms. Chao created and has fundraised US$100 million for the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program, through which scholarships are granted every year to Asian students to study abroad at one of 16 leading universities in Northeast Asia. Ms. Chao is also a Standing Committee Member of the 12th Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Anthony Haggar

Anthony Haggar is the co-founder of HCH Partners and chief executive officer of Haggar Trading DMCC, an investment holding company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Haggar received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in 1998 and has dedicated his career to building a better Africa by employing Africans and supporting business on the continent from within. Throughout his experience, he’s being engaged in a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 2011, he led the sale of Haggar Trading DMCC’s tobacco assets in Sudan to Japan Tobacco for $450 million, as well as Haggar Trading DMCC’s $23 million investment in ACE Marine Cables based in West Africa.

Philippe Nacson

Philippe Nacson was born and raised in Africa and remembers having read an article, in one of the very few French magazines distributed then locally, about Martine Kempf, a female French researcher who invented a vocal command system called the Katalavox, allowing handicapped people to drive cars. “It was a revelation for me, I read this article so many times that I knew it by heart. Since then my interest in Robotics has only strengthened.” In 2018, Philippe founded Ai.VEN, a deep tech impact fund investing mainly in healthcare, education and environment sectors. Philippe is also the founder of the HUMaiN Foundation, which helps members of vulnerable populations in Africa and India gain access to technology. Philippe has graduated from HEC Paris, London School of Economics and NYU Stern, and is an alumnus of the London Business School.

Tien Wong

Mr. S. Tien Wong is a technology entrepreneur, CEO, and angel investor. He is Chairman & CEO of Opus8, Inc., a private investment and strategic advisory firm specializing in raising capital for private equity and venture capital fund managers, as well as promising tech companies. He is also Chairman of Tech 2000, Inc., an ed tech company which provides advanced tech training, learning analytics, and software development to Fortune 500 customers. Mr. Wong is also Chairman of Lore Systems, Inc., an IT services company which provides managed hosting, IT support, “virtual CIO,” and cloud computing solutions for commercial, nonprofit, and government clients. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

H.E. Luis Alberto Lacalle

H.E. Luis Lacalle served as the President of Uruguay from 1990-1995. Lacalle’s political career began when he was elected Member of the Parliament of Montevideo, a position which he held until the military coup d’état of 1973. When democracy was restored to Uruguay in 1984, Mr. Lacalle became both a Senator and Vice president of the Senate where he participated in the Public Funds, Transportation, and Public Works committees. He was elected President of Uruguay in November of 1989 and formally inaugurated the position on March 1st, 1990 to serve the five-year term from 1990 to 1995. His administration is known for having implemented a free market program; during his term in office Luis Lacalle, along with his colleagues in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, co-founded the MERCOSUR which was established by the Treaty of Asunción on March 26th 1991. He has been President of the National Party (Partido Nacional) on two occasions; between 1999 and 2004, and from August 2009. He was a candidate in the 2009 presidential elections but lost to José Mujica. In 2009 was elected Senator for the 2010-2015 term. Lacalle graduated with a Law degree from the School of Law and Social Sciences at the Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay (1974).

Hemal Vaidya

Hemal Vaidya is a Principal at Deloitte LLP, where he serves as a strategy and financial advisor to the CXO-level of the public sector, NGOs, and non-profit organizations. With over 25 years of experience from The White House, Deloitte, and Georgetown University, Hemal focuses on the integration among the public, private, and non-profit sectors to address business challenges and public policy issues. As an entrepreneur and Partner at Deloitte, Hemal has a sustained track record of growing enterprises and programs in various industries & sectors in the US and multilateral organizations. Key areas of specialization include finance, sustainability, regulatory transformation, digital modernization, and security & risk management. Hemal received his Bachelor’s degree in International Political Economy from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and The London School of Economics, magna cum laude, and his Master’s in Public Finance & Administration, summa cum laude, from The Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid

Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid is the executive director of the Qatar Computing Research Institute, which is affiliated with the Hamad bin Khalifa University. The organization is committed to support and improve Qatar’s technology & innovation initiatives and has distinguished the country through its competitive research on cybersecurity and computing technology. Before he became the head of the country’s top research institute, he went through extensive education in the U.S and taught in world-class universities. Mr. Elmagarmid received his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Dayton and then completed his master’s and doctorate degrees in computer science at Ohio State University. He then continued his academic career at Purdue University where he taught courses in computer science and founded groundbreaking research organizations, the Indiana Center for Database Systems, and the Cyber Center which focused heavily on database research, digital government, and telemedicine. He then worked for Hewlett-Packard (HP) as a chief scientist and brought his expertise to the Office of Strategy and Technology at the company.

Dr. Parag Khanna

Parag Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor, world traveler, and best-selling author. He is Founder & Managing Partner of FutureMap, a data and scenario based strategic advisory firm. Parag’s newest book is The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict & Culture in the 21st Century (2019). He is author of a trilogy of books on the future of world order beginning with The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (2008), followed by How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance (2011), and concluding with Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization (2016). He is also author of Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State (2017) and co-author of Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2012).

Parag was named one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century,” and featured in WIRED magazine’s “Smart List.” He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, and Bachelors and Masters degrees from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He has traveled to nearly 150 countries and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.

Lawrence Chong

Lawrence Chong is the Group CEO at Consulus, a global innovation consultancy with business management and multi-disciplinary design capabilities. Consulus is present in Singapore(HQ), Slovakia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Italy, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, United States of America. Since 2004, the firm has implemented a multi-disciplinary method: UNIFY – to redesign organizations to enable innovation. He leads a global team that help leaders redesign their businesses to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century. With experience in transforming companies in the Asia-Pacific ranging from multi billion- dollar enterprises to start-ups, from family-owned to government-linked firms, he brings pragmatic solutions with cultural sensitivity and innovative thinking. A global speaker, he has spoken at conferences such as Innovation by Design, World Marketing Summit, and in 30 cities such as Sao Paolo, Melbourne on innovation, business design and about a new economic approach called the Economy of Communion.

Jimmy Lynn

Jimmy Lynn, a veteran of 30 years in the Sports and Entertainment sectors, is one of the pioneers of the Digital Sports space and is regarded as one of the leading relationship brokers and connectors in the global sports industry. He is a co-founder and Vice-President of Kiswe Mobile, the world’s most advanced cloud-based social-gamified mobile video platform.

Previously, Lynn was the managing partner of JLynn Associates, a global strategic advisory firm focused on sports-related digital media, marketing, and retail for a diverse set of clients including teams, athletes, leagues and associations, media outlets and other businesses.

Prior to founding JLynn Associates in 2009, Lynn served as Vice-President, Strategic Development and Partnerships at AOL, where he and his team were responsible for the strategic development and account management of AOL Sports’ strategic partnerships and organizations including the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, WNBA, NHL, PGA Tour, ABC Sports, CBS Sports, HBO Sports, Sports Illustrated, Turner Sports, NFL Players Association, WWF, The Sporting News, STATS, SportsTicker, etc. During his 14-year career at AOL, he was instrumental in developing AOL Sports into one of the leading global sports destination internet sites.

Lynn also served as a Vice-President, Diversity Partnerships and Strategic Relationships for AOL’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In this role, he managed AOL’s employee affinity networks and partnerships with community service organizations.

Lynn also was a member of the Time Warner Sports Forum, which included executives from Sports Illustrated, HBO Sports, Turner Sports, AOL Sports, Time Warner Cable, Time 4 Media and Warner Brothers Licensing. The group focused on cross-company sports initiatives for Time Warner.

Previously, Lynn was the Advertising Manager for Home Team Sports, the CBS-owned regional sports network serving the Mid-Atlantic Region (TV partner of the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals) and the Promotion Manager for WLTT-FM, the CBS-owned and operated station in Washington, D.C.

Lynn has been actively involved in philanthropy and community service over the past 19 years.

Lynn was one of the 2006 recipients of Time Warner’s most prestigious public-service prize, the “Andrew Heiskell Community Service” award. This award is given to employees who exhibit outstanding leadership and accomplishment in voluntary public service, human rights and/or equal opportunity efforts. Lynn also was recognized in 2008 by Greater DC Cares as one of Washington DC’s top 10 rising leaders in philanthropy; as one of City Year’s “Idealists of the Year”; and by Year Up as an “Urban Empowerment” award winner. In 2010, he received an award from Washington, DC Mayor Fenty for outstanding community service.

Lynn is the Board Chair, National Fitness Foundation, and a past board member, Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.

Lynn is an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and also with the Sports Industry Management program in the School of Continuing Studies. He is a Senior Advisor in MSB Office of Executive Education. Lynn received the “SCS Dean’s Outstanding Service” award in 2010 and the “SCS Faculty Service” award in 2014. He has a B.A. in Public Communication and an M.B.A. in Marketing from American University.

Global Economic Interdependence

Despite efforts to halt the march of economic integration around the world, globalization continues to be a critical fact of life. Workers, small and large businesses, financial corporations, technology companies, and even academic institutions have all been transformed into this reality and have had to adapt to the growing world marketplace. At the same time, challenges to that momentum continue to mount without fully considering the implications of disruption.

The Washington Institute understands that when forging trade policies, facilitating investment opportunities and examining general economic trends, nations can no longer look inward. Rather, they must consider and leverage the impact of their decisions beyond their borders as well as capitalize on the opportunities created by other nations through constructive collaboration.

The Washington Institute is committed to tackling challenges such as the impact of automation, protectionism, and populist sentiments and ethical concerns about international commerce. By leveraging the business, government, and civil society backgrounds, and global perspective of its own advisors and leadership, the Washington Institute is supporting corporations, government agencies, non-government organizations, and individuals in their collective efforts to best shape the future of the global economy.

Global Corporate Social Responsibility

Governments, civil society organizations, and individuals are increasingly looking to corporations to provide leadership on the world’s most pressing issues. As concerns about the environment, income inequality, and upskilling of the workforce mount, the Washington Institute is supporting positive and effective collaboration between business, government, and society entities to drive mutually beneficial solutions to these challenges and others.

The Washington Institute understands that innovation and investment in people and communities are part of corporate DNA, yet many stakeholders have not realized the benefits of true social responsibility. Government and civil society seek to help businesses and those they serve but often lack the expertise and network to effectively do so. Concerns abound about the conduct of business, government, and social entities. By basing its work on the foundation of ethics, the Washington Institute drives responsible behavior and restores trust between business and consumers.

Through collaboration with business, government, and society, augmented by thought leadership, research, and global perspective, the Washington Institute is dedicated to empowering businesses and those they serve to do well while doing good.

Global Technology and Innovation

The world’s reliance on technology increases daily. Global technology leaders have paved the way for a more interconnected future. The positive impact of technological innovation in the transformation of business, government, and society is undeniable. However, world leaders and citizens are raising concerns about the challenges presented by these trends. From Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley and from Station F to Zhongguancun, it is becoming clear that traditional approaches to studying, monitoring, and regulating industry are less effective in the technology sector.

The Washington Institute understands that business, government, and society cannot take disjointed approaches to the challenges and opportunities presented by technology and innovation. As a result, the Institute is actively engaged in convening leaders from all three sectors and driving solutions to spur technological development while enhancing the relationship among technology companies, consumers and regulatory agencies.

With executives possessing extensive technological, corporate, government, civil society, and academic backgrounds represented on its leadership team and advisory boards, the Washington Institute has both the knowledge and the network to help world leaders create the most advantageous environment for the technology innovators changing the world as well as those they serve.

John Huang

Message from our Founder

James P. Moore, Jr. at the world’s largest high-tech business incubator, Station F in Paris.

The great irony of our age is that we are interconnected more globally than ever before. Yet, socially and politically, we have never been further apart.

Groups work at cross-purposes, invest in competing priorities, and speak different languages. The resulting gaps leave us ill-equipped to address the challenges we face today and unprepared for the complex issues that will shape our world tomorrow. For this reason, the Washington Institute for Business, Government and Society was created.

Today, the Washington Institute is a growing, vibrant and global nonprofit organization created to bridge these divisions by facilitating collaboration among public and private sector leaders. As a nonpartisan translator and intermediary, we stimulate cooperation, meaningful action and tangible results.

As we know, history is littered with reminders of how parochialism and all-consuming self-interest can seriously backfire. At this critical historic crossroads we must recognize that our collective futures can only be secured through critical dialogue, thoughtful consideration and decisive action.

Please join us in making a difference to our future and that of our children. We have so very much to gain if we commit ourselves to shaping the world together.

– James P. Moore, Jr.
Founder and CEO

Our Guiding Principles

Our work is informed by the following principles which we aim to accomplish by convening executives, policymakers, civil society leaders and individuals representing a wide variety of backgrounds, expertise and perspectives.

1. We must recognize the inextricable linkage among business, government and society.
“Given the complexities of the modern world and the ripple effects they create, it is critical that we work together to address our collective and shared world.”

2. We must embrace the future in all its challenges and opportunities.
“We cannot shirk from our responsibilities in a world we are creating for ourselves or one we are leaving to our children.”

3. We must think and act both locally and globally.
“As we focus on our individual needs and interests, we must always realize that that our actions will have an impact beyond our borders that can come back and ultimately affect us.”

4. We must establish a foundation of integrity in everything we do.
“The past is littered with the failure of those who lacked a code of personal ethics, something we must never forget.”

5. We must foster collaboration in the work we carry out.
“Constructively engaging with others can only lift all boats.”

6. We must create a credible vision that works towards attaining tangible achievements.
“Never must we confuse thoughtless activity with working towards real accomplishment.”

7. Develop trust and support ethical leadership in business, government and society.
“Nothing can doom progress faster than mistrust and cynicism of another person’s intentions.”

Stephanie von Friedeburg

As the Chief Operating Officer for IFC, Stephanie von Friedeburg leads all IFC investment operations and advisory services, delivering private sector capital and solutions to create jobs, positive development outcomes and opportunities in the world’s poorest and most fragile countries. Von Friedeburg began her World Bank Group career at IFC, spending more than two decades in IFC investment operations where she developed strong regional expertise in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in numerous industry sectors, including telecom, media, general manufacturing and technology. Most recently, von Friedeburg served as IFC’s Chief Strategy and Resources Officer, where she led the development of IFC’s new strategy and aligned the organization’s resources in support of it. Prior to this, leveraging her more than ten years of experience investing in telecom and IT start-ups in emerging markets, she served as the World Bank Group Chief Information Officer.

“We are creating an enduring legacy as we shape the world together.”

Board of Governors

Hon. James P. Moore, Jr. (Chair)