At NVC, membership isn’t just access to events, it’s a strategic advantage. Whether you’re looking to expand your influence, grow your network, or amplify your voice, your membership puts you at the center of regional progress. Here’s how we’re delivering value that moves the needle: Building the Roadmap for Northern Virginia’s Future With $109 billion in federal contracting dollars flowing …
Meet the Executive Assistant to NVC’s President and CEO
At NVC, seamless leadership and operational excellence drive success. Jamal Sealey, Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Julie Coons, plays a critical role in ensuring strategic execution and smooth daily operations. As a liaison between leadership, board members, and chamber members, he maintains clear communication and efficient processes that strengthen NVC’s impact. Jamal leads board administration, …
Meet the NVC Membership Team
We know that meaningful engagement is the key to getting the most out of your NVC membership. That’s why we’ve enhanced our services to provide a more tailored and impactful membership experience. Leading this effort is Jared Sloane, NVC’s Vice President of Membership. With a deep understanding of our business community, Jared is committed to ensuring that every NVC member …
What’s Next for Consulting in Northern Virginia?
NVC is your gateway to the region’s most influential industries. As we celebrate 100 years, we’re connecting with trailblazers shaping the future across industries. With the global consulting market projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025, growing at a 6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the demand for expert guidance has never been higher. Consulting isn’t just about strategy—it delivers …
New NVC Initiative Connects Business Leaders to Tackle Economic Shifts
At NVC, we understand that today’s economic landscape is shifting rapidly, creating both challenges and opportunities for businesses across the Greater Washington Region. In collaboration with our Board Officers, Strategic Leadership Board of Advisors, and professional staff, we have been closely monitoring these changes to ensure we remain a steadfast resource for our members. To address growing concerns and facilitate …
100 Years of Insight: NVC’s Q&A with Finance Executives on Regional Challenges
NVC is your gateway to the region’s most influential industries. As we celebrate 100 years, we’re connecting with trailblazers shaping the future across industries. Today, we share our latest Q&A with finance executives. In the face of economic uncertainty and a shifting political landscape, the financial powerhouses of our region are poised to define the future of banking and investment. …
How Appian Navigates Federal Sales: Challenges and Opportunities for Product Companies
“How Appian Navigates Federal Sales: Challenges and Opportunities for Product Companies,” is provided by NVC member Fred Diamond, President, Institute for Excellence in Sales (IES). Selling to the U.S. federal government is a journey filled with distinct challenges but equally rewarding opportunities for those who can navigate its complexities. I recently featured Jason Adolf, Public Sector Leader at Appian, on …
What’s Next for IT? Exclusive Leader Insight Q&A
NVC is your gateway to the region’s most influential industries. As we celebrate 100 years, we’re connecting with trailblazers shaping the future across industries. This month, we’re spotlighting the booming Information Technology (IT) community—a global powerhouse. Northern Virginia, home to the world’s largest and fastest-growing data center market, has experienced a staggering 500% growth from 2015-2023, with a capacity nearly …
NVC’s Historical Legacy, A Century of Impact
As we usher in 2025, we celebrate NVC’s 100th anniversary—a century of trailblazing advocacy, innovation, and leadership that has transformed Northern Virginia into a national economic powerhouse. From our early days as the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, we have driven the growth of the Greater Washington Region, championing initiatives like Dulles International Airport, the Metro system, the Beltway, and …
Giving Back with Purpose: Celebrating GivingTuesday and the Season of Generosity
Today, as we observe GivingTuesday, we join a global movement that celebrates generosity and the profound impact of giving back. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the critical work non-profit organizations do to uplift communities and address pressing issues such as hunger, housing, and workforce development. Here in the Greater Washington Region, local non-profits are leading the charge …
NVC Addressing DEI in the Region
According to a Pew Research study, only 30% of employees in the U.S. say that their employers put an emphasis on diversity in the workplace. With over 400 member companies—representing 500,000 employees—we believe that growing the rich diversity in our Region is crucial for long-lasting business growth. NVC has a range of strategic initiatives addressing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout …
Member Profile: Inclusivity Champion Stephanie Turner
“Diversity refers to more than people; there are dimensions to it. I think of it as a noun that can represent a person, place, thing, or culture. Everything about us is diverse, as we are all unique and individual, just like places and things. Embracing inclusivity means acknowledging that we’re all different and can each offer something special. Therefore, we …
6 Reasons Why Your Company Should Prioritize Volunteering Beyond it Being the Right Thing to Do
When we hear the word, “volunteer,” many of us instantly consider the recipient who will benefit from donated time and support rather than the advantages to the person giving away his or her time. After all, the long-held belief that volunteering is, “the right thing to do,” has been the backbone of the non-profit and support community. Yet numerous studies …
Creating a Culture of Support: Why We Need Employee Wellness Programs in the Workplace
The Chamber recently spoke with LeVar Johnson, a Community Activist working within the Pharmaceutical Industry, about employers’ roles in handling obesity within the workplace ahead of his participation in our Wellness in the Workforce Part 2 event on April 25th. Physical health is a personal mission for Johnson, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 4. …
A New Year Message From Our CEO: The Chamber in 2023… And Beyond
By Julie Coons, CAE, Northern Virginia Chamber President and CEO Happy New Year! 2023 is a year of exciting activity and opportunity for our region. This year, the Chamber’s 98th year, we see more businesses coming together to advocate for regional growth, to invest and grow a business-directed skilled workforce, and to advance policies and practices that accelerate a business …
DEI Research: Introducing the Northern Virginia Champions of Accountability Project
Recognizing and highlighting businesses that are developing and implementing inclusive practices is a priority of the Chamber as we seek to promote best practices for attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. To advance this effort, we have partnered with the Northern Virginia Community Foundation to launch the Northern Virginia Champions of Accountability Project. A groundbreaking initiative, the Champions of Accountability …
In Praise of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
When I was 17 years old, I told my high school English teacher that I was going to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, an all-female historically Black college. “But you’ve got the grades for Dartmouth!” he said. I knew he meant well, but I also knew Spelman was right for me. It helped that my parents are both alums of …
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Talking DE&I in Northern Virginia with Jim Dyke
“If we want to operate in a global economy, we must respect and work with all religions and people, be that by race, gender, culture, physical ability, or sexual preference. We must focus on who people are and what they can do rather than what they are. Without that respect, it will be difficult to advance our business environment.” So …
Apply These Four Levers to Workplace Inclusion and Diversity
To some degree, the employee populations of most companies represent a microcosm of the larger world outside. And, as we all know, the world is facing some challenging times. In essence, we are repeating U.S. history. In the wake of ample socio-economic disparities, centuries-long suppressed anger, frustration, hurt, desperation, and fear is publicly visible to us all today. The corporate …
Supporting Northern Virginia’s Minority-Owned Businesses
Northern Virginia is home to an estimated 128,000 minority-owned businesses—42 percent of all businesses in the region—that represent a diverse cross-section of residents; 56,000 (44 percent) are Asian-owned, 40,000 (31 percent) are Hispanic-owned, and 27,000 (21 percent) are Black-owned. Racial-Ethnic Composition of Northern Virginia Businesses Racial-Ethnic Composition of Northern Virginia Businesses | Source: Hughes, E. 2021. Supporting Northern Virginia’s Minority-Owned …
Impact and Innovation: NVC Members Shaping the Future of Government Contracting
As November begins and we look toward 2025, NVC is focused on strengthening our advocacy and support for the vibrant business community we serve. In the rapidly changing world of government contracting, NVC members lead the way in advancing innovation and economic growth. With the prestigious Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards® tomorrow, we are thrilled to honor our members’ remarkable …
Concluding NVC’s Policy Committee Meetings for 2024 and Shaping Our Vision for 2025
Last Friday, on October 18th, NVC concluded its final Policy Committee meeting for 2024. This meeting marked a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to addressing pressing Regional issues. The focus of this gathering centered on two critical topics: Affordable Housing and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Prior gatherings, which began on September 18th, explored various themes, including education …
At the Midway Point: 2024 General Assembly Update
Our Region’s future growth and economic stability are top discussion points during this year’s Virginia General Assembly, which began January 7th and will run through March 9th in Richmond. Currently in Week 6, the General Assembly has seen its share of highs and lows, with critical bills centering around taxes, education, and workforce issues. The Chamber’s Vice President of Government …
Chamber Statement on Metro, July 5, 2023
The transit system survived the past three years using nearly $2.4 billion in federal aid, staving off severe cuts and recently returning to pre-pandemic service levels. But with aid running out by July 2024, Metro leaders have undertaken a desperate search for sustainable funding to fill a financial hole projected to grow annually to as much as $1.2 billion later …
Bipartisanship: Working Together to Build a Better Virginia
The Chamber recently spoke with Larry Roberts, Director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, who offered the following thoughts on the benefits of bipartisanship to Virginia government and its business community. The Sorensen Institute and the Chamber have formed an Advancing Civics partnership to promote bipartisanship and civil discourse as means toward effective public leadership. …
2023 Virginia General Assembly Workforce Update
The 2023 Virginia General Assembly wrapped up on February 25th in Richmond. The Chamber’s Vice President of Government Relations, Nick Clemente, was in attendance all 46 days (and then some!), advocating on behalf of our Region and Chamber membership. Chamber members were kept up-to-date throughout the session through Nick’s weekly emails and member advocacy calls. He was also always a …
Kicking Off the 2023 Virginia General Assembly
Editor’s Note: The Virginia General Assembly kicks off its annual legislative session this week lasting for 46 days. Staying connected to legislators and policymakers is critical for the Northern Virginia business community to ensure that we have a voice in the legislative process. The Chamber’s Nick Clemente, Vice President of Government relations is representing the Northern Virginia business community every …
A New Year Message From Our CEO: The Chamber in 2023… And Beyond
By Julie Coons, CAE, Northern Virginia Chamber President and CEO Happy New Year! 2023 is a year of exciting activity and opportunity for our region. This year, the Chamber’s 98th year, we see more businesses coming together to advocate for regional growth, to invest and grow a business-directed skilled workforce, and to advance policies and practices that accelerate a business …
The Future of our Regional Transportation: a Q&A with our 2022 State of Transportation Panelists
On September 1st, the Chamber will host an exciting and dynamic group of top transportation leaders from around the region for our annual 2022 State of Transportation event. We asked our speakers to give us a sneak peek on the future of transportation ahead of this enlightening event. Read their answers below: 1. What are one or two things you see in the …
What should businesses be doing now to prepare for the next big challenge in healthcare?
We are fortunate to have assembled a stellar group of experts for our upcoming Annual State of Healthcare in the Region event on May 4th. During the event, these leaders will cover a diverse set of region-related topics that impact your business, but we wanted to ask them ahead of time: “What should businesses be doing now to prepare for …
Mental Health Matters: Creating Awareness in the Workplace
Mental health, once brushed aside or whispered about in hushed tones, is moving to the forefront of organizational discourse. Why? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults grapples with a mental health condition, navigating the balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being. Mental health is not just a matter of individual struggle—it is a collective …
Talent Up Fairfax: A Talent Recruitment Solution for Fairfax County Employers and Job Seekers
Talent Up Fairfax is an innovative demonstration project in work-based learning (WBL), made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiative. The program launched on July 11, 2023, and has been marketed as a talent solution to Fairfax County business and job seekers. This program is particularly designed to forge vital …
Conquering the Skills Gap in the Region with Veteran Employment
There is a massive skills gap in America, with a significant number of the 10 million unfilled jobs in our country going vacant – right here in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. With these challenges, come unique opportunities for companies to brand themselves as employers that, not only understand the employment landscape, but also the macro and micro factors …
Member Blog Post: 5 Tips For Planning Impactful and Memorable Employee-Centered Events
In our post-pandemic world, where organizations are striving to create authentic connections for their employees, some of whom may be working remotely, novel and memorable experiences can provide an invaluable workforce opportunity. Now that As our business world is entering 2023’s 4th quarter, it’s time to think about creating those opportunities in the form of year-end events. With today’s renewed …
Teamwork is everything: veterans understand that we all find success by working together. A discussion with James Schenck
“How can we ever do enough to thank and serve through our actions those who volunteer to go into harm’s way to fight our nation’s wars? I live with that question every day.” That’s the mantra of the 2023 Distinguished Service Awards’ Lifetime Service Award Honoree James Schenck, President & CEO, PenFed Credit Union. We sat down with James to …
10 Common Mistakes with Form I-9 (and how to avoid them)
The process of completing Form I-9—which confirms an employee’s eligibility to legally work in the United States—has gone through major changes in recent years. Many of these changes were driven by the pandemic, which made it difficult for employers to perform in-person document checks. Pandemic-era regulation is now winding down, and the Department of Homeland Security is taking this opportunity …
6 Reasons Why Your Company Should Prioritize Volunteering Beyond it Being the Right Thing to Do
When we hear the word, “volunteer,” many of us instantly consider the recipient who will benefit from donated time and support rather than the advantages to the person giving away his or her time. After all, the long-held belief that volunteering is, “the right thing to do,” has been the backbone of the non-profit and support community. Yet numerous studies …
Creating a Culture of Support: Why We Need Employee Wellness Programs in the Workplace
The Chamber recently spoke with LeVar Johnson, a Community Activist working within the Pharmaceutical Industry, about employers’ roles in handling obesity within the workplace ahead of his participation in our Wellness in the Workforce Part 2 event on April 25th. Physical health is a personal mission for Johnson, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 4. …
Employee Health & Benefits trends for 2023
In America’s professional landscape, there is a diverse workforce comprised of five different generations. While it is true that having a multigenerational workforce presents some challenges to employers, we encourage business leaders to view this as a benefit rather than a challenge. As the workplace evolves, talent acquisition and retention strategies will become increasingly more important and the evaluation of …
2023 Virginia General Assembly Workforce Update
The 2023 Virginia General Assembly wrapped up on February 25th in Richmond. The Chamber’s Vice President of Government Relations, Nick Clemente, was in attendance all 46 days (and then some!), advocating on behalf of our Region and Chamber membership. Chamber members were kept up-to-date throughout the session through Nick’s weekly emails and member advocacy calls. He was also always a …
