Greetings! - Welcome to the Economic Club’s newsletter – your source for upcoming events and program updates. Let’s start with 3 Big Things:

1. Three Upcoming Events: Learn more about these events below
2. Welcome our New Members
3. Register for Upcoming Fall Member Hosted Dinners

Upcoming Events

Recent Event: The Honorable Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States

September 16, 2026 - Former Vice President Mike Pence, founder of Advancing American Freedom, joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a Signature Event conversation.

Pence discussed his new book, What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the Conservative Conscience, and where he sees the Republican Party heading as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. He also reflected on his career as vice president, governor of Indiana and six-term member of Congress. He discussed how recent shifts in both parties could shape the next several election cycles. 

"What I can tell you is that we have no plans [to run for office]....The calling of my life right now is to be a champion for these principles that have made the Republican Party successful and strong, [and] the principles enshrined in the Constitution." – The Honorable Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States

Event Video | Event Podcast | Event Transcript

Recent Event: Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

September 24, 2026 -  Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, spoke with Economic Club board officer Barbara Humpton, CEO of USA Rare Earth, Inc., on the state of the economy.

Barkin discussed the ongoing and potential effects of artificial intelligence and tariffs on the current economic outlook and analyzed the relationship between unemployment and inflation.

"I think there's a lot of talk about the AI apocalypse, but we 're clearly not yet there. Also, I think there's a lot less urgency in that conviction that we're going to be there, than there was six months ago." ~ Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Event Video | Event Podcast | Event Transcript

Welcome New Members

Join us in welcoming 14 new Economic Club members. Connect with new members on LinkedIn using the links below!

• Kristine Martin Anderson, President & Chief Operating Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Megan Starace Ben'Ary, Office Managing Member, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
• Jack R. Callison, Jr., Board Director & CEO, Sunrise Senior Living
• Zachary Carpenter, President & CEO, Farmer Mac
• Peggy Collins, Washington Bureau Chief, Bloomberg LP
• Daniel Eubanks, Vice President, VP, Head of US Federal Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Intuit
• J. Clayton Everett, Jr., Office Managing Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
• Michele Jawando, CEO and Board Member, Omidyar Network
• Stephen Moret, President & CEO, Strada Education Foundation
• Robert L. Powell, Jr., Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
• Elaine Turville, Metro DC Office Managing Director, Accenture
• Jason Weekley, Chief Operating Officer, Utilities and President, Washington Gas
• Fariba Wells, Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs and Policy, Kyndryl Holdings, Inc.
• Jeanne Wolak, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Southern Company

Help Membership Committee co-chairs Dan Kotter and Omar Vargas reach our goals for membership for 2026. Nominate a new member or contact staff with questions.



Economic Club Day at Nationals Park

On September 13, Economic Club members and their families spent Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park watching the Washington Nationals play the Los Angeles Angels.

Jane Adams, Chair of Corporate Engagement, The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and Senior Vice President, Worldwide Government Affairs & Policy, Johnson & Johnson, sang the national anthem.

The afternoon gave members a chance to connect with fellow members and their families away from the Club's regular event calendar. The Economic Club thanks Paxton Baker of PKB Enterprises, Inc., Ed Cohen of Lerner Enterprises and Jason Sinnarajah of Washington Nationals for helping make the day a success.

Upcoming Fall Member-Hosted Dinners

The Economic Club is currently hosting the fall round of Member-Hosted Dinners that are taking place on several evenings in September & October. These gatherings provide an informal opportunity to participate in peer-to-peer discussion and networking with fellow Economic Club members on the most important topics, trends, and challenges facing business today, while enjoying a nice meal in a more intimate setting. 

Special thanks to this season's hosts:

• David DeSantis, CEO, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
• Stephen K. Orr, Managing Partner, Orr Group
• Jeanelle Johnson, East Region Leader and D.C. Managing Partner, PwC
• Monica Schmude, President, Virginia, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Julie Goon, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Elevance Health
• Ian Jefferson, Regional Managing Partner, Atlantic Region, McKinsey & Company and Nora Gardner, Senior Partner, Washington, D.C., Office, McKinsey & Company
• Monica Dalwadi, Eastern Region Managing Principal, Baker Tilly
• Dr. Ellen Granberg, President, The George Washington University
• Anthony Shop, Co-Founder of Social Driver and Host of the Chief Influencer Podcast
• Tim McBride, President, STE North America, Inc.

Reserve your spot now or indicate your interest in hosting a future dinner by using this short form.

The Economic Club thanks our annual sponsors for their continued support. Proceeds of sponsorships benefit Club programming and community engagement.