Tuesday, October 28, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Opening Breakfast
Harvest new relationships and partnership opportunities at this farmers market-themed opening event!
Welcome
9:00 - 9:10 a.m. | Introductory Remarks: What Does It Take for Business to Solve Problems for the Next 250 Years?

Opening Keynote
9:10 - 9:30 a.m. | The Power of Trust: Unlocking Optimism and Potential
Building trust in our communities is core to realizing our full potential as individuals, communities, and a society. Yet, Americans’ trust in each other is at historic lows. In this opening keynote, hear from an industry leader who is working to build trust in society person-to-person, block-by-block by strengthening local relationships.
9:30 - 9:55 a.m. | Panel: Civic Engagement as a Building Block for Future Growth and Prosperity


In Conversation With:


9:55 - 10:10 a.m. | Purpose Talk

Gardner’s book, The Pursuit of HappYness was the inspiration for the critically acclaimed film in which Will Smith received the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award nominations for his performance. His second book, “Start Where You Are,” also a best seller, was published in 2009. Gardner’s new book “Permission to Dream” was selected as “Book Of The Month” by the Wall Street Journal upon its publication.
Chris recently partnered with Transfr, Inc., the leading provider of virtual reality (VR) career training and exploration, to launch "Permission to Dream 2.0: Pathways to Success," to bring together Gardner’s inspirational programming with Transfr’s immersive career exploration and skills training to create career pathways and generational wealth-creation opportunities for individuals, including those from underserved communities. He will work with institutions in the U.S. to help learners access Transfr’s programs to prepare for meaningful, well-paying careers that don’t require a four-year degree.
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Networking Break
10:35 - 10:55 a.m. | We Are at Our Best in an Ecosystem of Partners
When we take on the greatest societal problems, it takes an ecosystem. When we are at our best, it’s in partnership across industries and sectors, across borders and differences.
Hear insights from a Fortune 100 CEO.
In Conversation With:
Patrick O'Connor, Founding Partner, Narrative Strategies; Former Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
10:55 - 11:15 a.m. | Partnership Spotlight: Creating Systems-Level Change for Children


In Conversation With:

Sponsor Story

11:15 - 11:45 a.m. | Business Consortium for Better Health
Businesses are stepping up to lift Americans’ health. But too often these initiatives aren’t connected enough to allow communities to thrive. An integrated approach across the full range of everyday factors shaping our health is needed. Hear from business leaders who are combining forces to make a greater impact.



In Conversation With:

Session Sponsored By:

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Impact Lunch and Networking
Impact Lunch with Americares:
Humanitarian Aid Spotlight

Americares is joining Business Solves to help attendees understand the many ways their company can partner with Americares to advance their CSR aims while helping support people’s health in times of disaster and every day.
Americares is a 40+ year-old organization with deep local relationships in the U.S. and around the world. Providing over $1 billion in aid annually, Americares' impact ratio is 1:10 due to the high number of donated products the organization deploys. Americares consistently earns a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
This nonprofit's key focus area is to support people who fall through the cracks of other systems – for example, traditional emergency aid, formal healthcare systems.
You will have the option to opt into the Americares Impact Lunch
when completing the Business Solves registration process.
1:10 - 1:25 p.m. | Using Public-Private Partnerships to Spur Growth and Prosperity

In Conversation With:

1:25 - 1:55 p.m. | A Hat Trick Approach to Child Care and Professional Sports


1:55 - 2:10 p.m. | Solutions Desk Launch
2:25 - 2:35 p.m. | Sustainable Agriculture
Sponsor Story:

2:40 - 3:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
Choose from one of two topics at the heart of the U.S. Chamber Foundation's work.
Select your breakout session upon registration or modify your existing registration here.
Business Participation on Local School Boards: Why It's Important and How to Get Started

Civics Trivia


3:45 - 4:05 p.m. | Purpose Talk: How a Business Consortium Can Build Forward


4:05 - 4:30 p.m. | Attendee Experience: The Salvage Safari Upcycle Challenge
Niagara Cares, in partnership with Discovery Education and Filament Games, is bringing a fun and educational gamified experience to Business Solves, customized exclusively for our attendees. Become immersed in an eco-friendly adventure, complete with prizes and laughs.

Sponsor Activation:

4:30 - 4:45 p.m. | Executive Fireside Chat: Maintaining Your True North Amid Complexity and Change

In Conversation With:

4:50 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Citizens Awards Block Party and Ceremony

Meet the Awards finalists, learn the 2025 winners, and celebrate the best of corporate citizenship!
Awards ceremony hosted by:

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Day 2 Networking Breakfast
Network with fellow attendees, sponsors, speakers, and U.S. Chamber Foundation issue leaders.
Opening Keynote

9:10 - 9:50 a.m. | Spotlights: Small Businesses as the Backbone of Our Communities
9:15 a.m. | Empowering Local Businesses and Communities with Retirement Planning and Financial Education
In Conversation With:

9:30 a.m. | FedEx and Accion Opportunity Fund


In Conversation With:

9:50 - 10:15 a.m. | Panel: Catalyzing Social Impact Through Social Entrepreneurship
In 2022, Deloitte made a commitment over 10 years to social impact investments to help increase social and economic prosperity in the communities where we live and work. Through the Social Entrepreneurship programs Deloitte has collaborated with both private-sector and nonprofit to unlock innovative solutions in health, education, sustainability, and workforce development. Join this discussion to take a deep dive on workforce collaborations underway in the U.S. Key learnings include understanding different models corporate foundations can consider to drive social entrepreneurship and impact outcomes.



In Conversation With:

10:15 - 10:35 a.m. | The Next Mission: Building Stronger Communities Through Collective Impact

In Conversation With:

10:35 - 11:00 a.m. | Panel: Multi-Industry Solutions for Resilient Communities


In Conversation With:
11:30 a.m. - Noon | Panel: Successes in Employee and Workforce Upskilling


In Conversation With:

Sponsor Stories:


Noon - 12:35 p.m. | Bolstering American Competitiveness: A Showcase on Corporate Community Investments




In Conversation With:

12:35 - 12:45 p.m. | Piecing It All Together: Collective Takeaways from Business Solves 2025

12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Closing Networking Lunch
Optional Field Trip: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (1:30 - 3:30 p.m.) - Limited Capacity
Full information coming soon! Round-trip transportation will be provided for a visit to a community site in Southeast D.C., where an innovative corporate consortium is on the ground and at work with a local nonprofit organization to improve community health outcomes.


