A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Message From Our Board of Directors Chairman, Kathryn Falk

The NOVA Chamber’s Legislative Agenda included new goals this year which focus on supporting greater opportunity for all Virginians through a renewed focus on equity. This was done with the support and input from our leadership and the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board of Advisors because support for these areas is good for business and the right thing to do.

Our advocacy priorities in education, workforce development, and transportation are all achieved through greater equity. In education, too many Virginians do not have the financial means to pursue a degree or even some training and certifications. This means that businesses lack the talent they need to grow. That’s why we were proud to support the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Program which provides financial support to individuals pursuing a degree in a high-demand field. This kind of advocacy reduces the talent gap in Northern Virginia helping our members find the talent they need to grow.

In transportation, equitable access and affordability can undermine the kind of regional mobility necessary for businesses to thrive in our region. The NOVA Chamber successfully advocated for dedicated funding from Virginia, Maryland and the federal government to support the Metro system, marking the first time our regional transit system has had dedicated funding since its inception. A safe, reliable, affordable and equitable transportation network is key to the regional economy. It improves productivity by connecting job centers to communities and employees at all levels to their jobs.

Businesses understand how local workforce development opportunities and regional mobility are important elements to doing business anywhere, and particularly in Northern Virginia. We have long been a champion of these efforts, and with a renewed focus on equity, we have new opportunities to pursue to make our region the best place to do business. Thank you to our dedicated Government Relations team for their efforts and great results.