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?

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

 

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

Whitney Harmel
Executive Vice President
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Ojala Naeem
Senior Director, Design Operations
Travelers

In Conversation With:

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

9:55 - 10:10 a.m.  |  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.

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

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

In Conversation With:

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

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.

Jennifer Duck
Vice President of Public Affairs
Novo Nordisk
Scott Kratz
President and CEO
Building Bridges Across the River
Derrick Perkins
Market Executive
Bank of America

In Conversation With:

Marc DeCourcey
Senior Vice President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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

Ross Perot Jr
Chairman, Chairman of the Board
The Perot Companies and Hillwood and U.S. Chamber of Commerce

In Conversation With:

Mike Carney
President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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

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+

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

Brendan McCluskey
Principal
Trident Builders
Mark Anthony Thomas
President and CEO
Greater Baltimore Committee

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.

Ann Canela
Head of Niagara Cares
Niagara Bottling

Sponsor Activation: 

4:30 - 4:45 p.m.  |  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

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: 

Shannon Schuyler
Principal
PwC (Retired)

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

Mike Carney
President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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

Miquez (Mike) Hadley
Senior Director, Workplace Business Segment
Edward Jones

Sponsor Story:

In Conversation With: 

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

9:30 a.m.  |  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, Community Resilience
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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.

Joanna Burleson
Managing Director
Monitor Institute by Deloitte
Hassan Hassan
Partner, Portfolio Investing
New Profit
German Vegarra
CEO
Adapta Technology

In Conversation With: 

Jay Bhatt, D.O., MPH, MPA
Managing Director, Center for Health Solutions
Deloitte

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

Brigadier General (Ret.) Mike Eastman
Executive Director
Onward Ops

In Conversation With: 

Eric Eversole
President, Hiring Our Heroes
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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

Cindy Elliott
Director, Business Industry Sector
Esri
Sarah Keh
Vice President, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial
Prudential Financial

In Conversation With: 

11:30 a.m. - Noon  |  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

In Conversation With: 

Niki DaSilva
Senior Director, Policy and Programs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Sponsor Stories:

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

Daniella Foster
Senior Vice President; Global Head of Public Affairs, Market Access, and Sustainability
Bayer
Rosemary Lahasky
Vice President, U.S. Government Relations
Pearson
Shane Karr
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs North America
Stellantis
Rachel Wolbers
External Affairs Manager
Google

In Conversation With: 

Marc DeCourcey
Senior Vice President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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

Damon Young
Owner
DK Young Consulting

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.