I’ve had the experience of witnessing the profound impact mentorship can have on both individuals and communities. I understand the unique challenges that many people  face in the business world. Throughout my life, mentorship has been a guiding light, and it’s my honor to share the importance of this noble endeavor from the mentor’s perspective. Mentorship is not merely about imparting knowledge or providing guidance. It’s about building bridges, fostering growth and nurturing the potential within each individual. In the business world, mentorship is crucial for developing talent and creating sustainable relationships that extend far beyond the confines of the workplace. Nurturing Talent One of the most rewarding aspects of mentorship is witnessing the growth and development of your mentee. In business, nurturing talent is essential for the long-term success of any organization. Young professionals bring fresh ideas and perspectives, but they often need guidance to navigate the complexities of

Having served as president and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce for 12 years, I’ve fought tirelessly for our small businesses, ensuring they thrive in our community. Now, as a small business owner, I see firsthand how vital it is for our government to prioritize policies that serve the interests of these entrepreneurs. This conviction drives my support for the current system that allows DC small businesses to host sports betting kiosks, earning 5 percent of the gaming revenue. These kiosks are a lifeline for our restaurants and bars, drawing in patrons and helping them recover from the pandemic’s devastating impact. However, B25-753 threatens to dismantle this beneficial arrangement, prioritizing large sports betting operators over our small businesses. The Council’s goal of maximizing revenue in light of GamBetDC’s underperformance is understandable, but shifting to a mobile-dominated system would marginalize our local retailers. FanDuel has already improved the situation significantly,

In the realm of leadership and decision-making, the metaphorical “table” often represents spaces where critical discussions and decisions are made. However, access to this table isn’t always equal for everyone. The late Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazing figure in American politics, once famously said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” This sentiment reflects the reality faced by many women and people of color who find themselves overlooked, undervalued and ignored in professional settings. The issue of representation and inclusion at the table is complex. Often, there might be a seat available, but the person occupying it is dismissed or their contributions are diminished due to conscious or unconscious biases. Social stereotypes and ingrained perceptions can lead to the devaluation of certain individuals based on gender, race, or other characteristics. I recall a personal experience during my time at Fannie Mae that exemplifies this

As many of you know, I served as President/CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce for 12-plus years after an amazing three-decade corporate career at IBM and Fannie Mae. The Chamber position was probably the most rewarding and my team was successful, with major accomplishments, including: • Securing numerous legislative wins for the business community• Helping members gain their next big business agreement• Hosting the Chamber’s Annual Awards extravaganza where businesspeople and politicians alike came ‘to see and be seen’ By any yardstick, the Chamber had a terrific run and helped to make the District of Columbia a much better place to live, work, play and of course – do business. With all the hard work and long hours (sometimes 7 days a week) came invitations to galas, upscale parties, Diplomatic corps events and rubbing shoulders with top DC and Federal officials including the President of the United States. I

Consider this: According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), only 40 percent of small businesses are profitable, and that is during “normal” economic times. During this unprecedented pandemic, thousands of people have lost their lives, and together we mourn for the families impacted so tragically. Thousands more have lost their jobs and are scraping to make ends meet. Many of these are small business owners and employees who do not have the resources to lose months of business and remain open. We must support them now more than ever. As the former president and CEO of the DC Chamber for 13 years, our member base consisted of 60 percent small businesses, and their passion for community and economics was inspiring and drove the economic renaissance DC experienced in the early 2000s. These business owners took pride not only in their business and serving customers, but also quality of life including

Ethics deserve a starring role in business dealings They created cultures of fear, deception and arrogance, and they put their own personal interests in front of all others, including their own families. They didn’t care whose lives they destroyed, using their power to conquer and destroy anyone blocking their path to money and gratification. Shockingly, they manipulated those around them — people with whom they built trust — to foster networks of secrecy and allegiance beyond anything we have seen in the history of American business. Ironically, they crucified themselves through historic cheating, lying and a breakdown of ethics never seen before. Many are household names, and we should all cringe when we hear them, even as they are reduced to insignificance and confined to moldy jail cells. Ken Lay, CEO and chairman of Enron, was the mastermind of a historic accounting scandal at the energy company, resulting in its