Dear Members,
While this has been a year full of challenges, there have been silver linings including a universal movement toward a more inclusive and equitable business community. Our Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce has long held a welcome approach toward those who wish to join our membership. We’ve prided ourselves on our values of promoting businesses of all sizes and types within our region. What we learned this year is that this has not been enough.
Today, I am proud to share that your Chamber Board of Directors has formed a Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Board of Advisors to shape and guide Chamber programming while promoting a membership fully reflective of our unique and diverse community. The Chamber has held a long-standing commitment to ensuring equitable access within which all Northern Virginia businesses may thrive. Our new DE&I’s goal is to seek out and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion within all Chamber activities.
The DE&I Board of Advisors is the next step in our mission to create an inclusive Northern Virginia Chamber and Region. Earlier this year, we reaffirmed our commitment to this mission by condemning systemic racism. The DE&I Board of Advisors will meet monthly and report back to the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee to ensure the Chamber stays on task.
When I was fortunate to become Chairman of the Northern Virginia Chamber in June, I pledged to the membership and the broader community to take steps to advance our values with focused actions. I believe the DE&I Board of Advisors will help the Chamber deliver on my pledge. I am pleased to introduce you to the Board Advisor’s members:
- Co-Chairman Kathryn Falk, Cox Communications
- Co-Chairman John A. Allen, Wells Fargo
- Kathy Albarado, Helios HR
- Karla Bruce, Fairfax County Government
- Anthony Chang, Washington REIT
- Jim Dyke, McGuire Woods Consulting
- Deb Gandy, Chevy Chase Trust
- Luanne Gutermuth, LSG Solutions LLC
- Victor Hoskins, Fairfax County EDA
- Jermaine Johnson, PNC Bank
- Matt McQueen, Peraton
- Richard Pineda, CALIBRE
- Scott Price, Dominion
- Monica Schmude, Cigna
- Tamika Tremaglio, Deloitte
- Telly Tucker, Arlington Economic Development
- Stephanie Turner, MITRE
- Tien Wong, Opus8
- Sheila Yosufy, John Marshall Bank
I welcome you to reach out with any questions about our new DE&I initiatives.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Falk
Board of Directors Chairman
