Tuesday, October 28, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.)

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Opening Breakfast

Harvest new relationships and partnership opportunities at this farmers market-themed opening event! 

 

Welcome

Introductory Remarks: What Does It Take for Business to Solve Problems for the Next 250 Years?

Hilary Crow
Vice President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

 

Opening Keynote

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.

Morning Sessions

The first morning of Business Solves 2025 is a can’t miss moment—featuring civics and democracy, STEM workforce development, and an inside look at B2B consortiums driving social impact.

Panel: Civic Engagement as a Building Block for Future Growth and Prosperity

Whitney Harmel
Executive Vice President
Maryland Chamber of Commerce

Ojala Naeem, Senior Director, Design Ops, Enterprise Customer Experience, Travelers

In Conversation With:

Hilary Crow
Vice President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Purpose Talk

Chris Gardner
CEO
HappYness; Chief Evangelist for Transfer "Permission to Dream" Program
Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author, and an award-winning film producer. Gardner’s autobiography, "The Pursuit of HappYness" became a New York Times #1 best seller and has been translated into over 40 languages, including six dialects of Chinese and recently into Arabic.

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.

Partnership Spotlight: Creating Systems-Level Change for Children

Mark Bezilla
VP and Manager of Corporate Volunteerism
PNC Bank
Cara Ciminillo
Executive Director
Trying Together

In Conversation With:

Brittany Scott
Senior Manager, Policy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Sponsor Story 

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.

Session Sponsored By:

12:05 - 1:05 p.m.

Impact Lunches and Networking

Panel Discussion: A Hat Trick Approach to Child Care and Professional Sports 

Lauren Lopez
Chief People Officer
National Women's Soccer League
Shanell Mosley
Executive Director, D.C. United Foundation
D.C. United
Nicole Preston
President and Chief Executive Officer
Special Olympics Washington, D.C.

In Conversation With: 

Justine Fédronic
Community Impact and Partnerships Manager
For All Mothers+

Solutions Desk Launch

Sustainable Agriculture

C.D. Glin
President
PepsiCo Foundation

Sponsor Story: 

Breakout Sessions

Choose from one of two topics at the heart of the U.S. Chamber Foundation's work: 

  • Business Participation on Local School Boards: Why It's Important and How to Get Started
  • Civics Academy Trivia Game

Select your breakout session upon registration or modify your existing registration here.

Purpose Talk: How a Business Consortium Can Build Forward

Brendan McCluskey
President
Trident Builders
Mark Thomas
CEO
GBC

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.

Ann Canela
Head of Niagara Cares
Niagara Bottling

Sponsor Activation: 

Executive Fireside Chat: Maintaining Your True North Amid Complexity and Change

Katherine Lugar
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Hilton

In Conversation With: 

Eileen Kelly Rinaudo
Senior Vice President and Head of Operations
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

5:00 - 7:30 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: 

Shannon Schuyler
Principal
PwC (Retired)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Day 2 Networking Breakfast

Network with fellow attendees, sponsors, speakers, and U.S. Chamber Foundation issue leaders. 

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Day 2 Sessions

Another fast-paced day awaits, rich with learning moments and spotlights on how business solves. Learn about programs and partnerships that support small businesses and entrepreneurs. Understand the community resilience-building practices at play across various industries, together making municipalities better prepared to reduce risk, prevent cascading impacts, and strengthen local capacity. Participate in a forward-looking conversation about upskilling and the future workforce. 

Partnership Spotlights: Impact in Action with Small Businesses

Edward Jones and Small Business Financial Literacy Tools

Sponsor Story 

FedEx and Accion Opportunity Fund

Julia Chicoskie
Integrated Marketing & Communications Advisor
FedEx
Meredith Dooley
Vice President, Partnerships and Programs
Accion Opportunity Fund

In Conversation With: 

Shanique Streete
Executive Director, Programs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Panel: Multi-Industry Solutions for Resilient Communities

Panel: Successes in Employee and Workforce Upskilling

Lydia Logan
Vice President, Global Education and Workforce Development, Corporate Social Responsibility
IBM
Wes Parham
Vice President, Public Affairs
Pinnacol Assurance

Sponsor Stories:

Piecing It All Together: Collective Takeaways from Business Solves 2025

Damon Young
Owner
DK Young Consulting

12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Closing Networking Lunch 

In Partnership with:

Optional Field Trip: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (2:15 - 4:15 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.