Speed Networking Members-Only

March 14th | 2:30-4PM | Chamber Office, Free

Without solid networking, is it is harder to make connections. This event holds the power to increase your business circle within a short period of time. During each session, participants will meet face-to-face while exchanging business cards and valuable information about their business. 

Come join our business networking event and cultivate a long-lasting business relationship that will allow you to: 

• Maximize your time by putting yourself in front of several companies in one setting
• Do more than just pass a card - Network one on one
• Expand your network and increase your circle of influence
• Perfect your 30-second pitch
• Fun and fast-paced

DEI Connects Members-Only

March 21st | 2-3PM | Virtual, Free

SPEAKER: Randi Majors, Organizational Development Lead, Transurban



DEI Connects is an inclusive and collaborative community of members who seek to share, learn, and implement best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion in their employee culture, talent development, and employee recruiting and retention. DEI Connects welcomes all members interested in advancing their knowledge and understanding of successful DEI strategies to join us and each other in this opportunity.

Each month the network will meet via Zoom to speak with a leader who will share their DEI best practices and programs. 

partner event

2023 Shape of the Region Conference

March 23rd | 7:30AM-12PM | NOVA’s Ernst Cultural Center/Virtual

Contrary to popular perception, only 6.5% of older Northern Virginians move in a given year and only 2.6% of them leave the state. An overwhelming majority, therefore, “age-in-place,” and they constitute an ever-growing percent of the local demographic. Who are they, what do they need, and how can we help?

Join us and our presenting partners for the 6th annual Shape of the Region Conference.

Wellness in the Workforce Part 1: Mental Health's Impact

March 28th | 8:30-10:30AM | VHC Health

Receive a 10% discount when you register for both this event and Part 2, April 25th, at the same time.

Keynote:

• Elizabeth Hughes, Senior Director of Insight Region, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Moderator:

• Ann Harbour, Director, Government Affairs Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Panelists:

• Bethany Demers, Mental Wellness Specialist, Fairfax County Public School
• Megan Hodge, Human Resources Manager, Employee Well-Being, Mayo Clinic
• Dr. Cessar Scott, Behavioral Health Physician, Virginia Health Institute
• Sandra Shaklan LCSW-C, Innovation Lead, Cigna Health Care
• Dr. Joseph Tasosa, Chief of Psychiatry, Kaiser Permanente

The mental health of our region's workforce is of the utmost importance to future growth and stability. Along with productivity and safety concerns, our region's employers are viewing mental health care as a boon to employee recruitment and retention--and ultimately the bottom line.

Join us on March 28th for Part 1 of our Wellness in the Workplace Series which will focus on mental health's impact within our business community. During this event, our Keynote, Elizabeth Hughes, Senior Director of Insight Region, Community Foundation, and our panel of experts will discuss innovations within the mental health field before providing mental health awareness and training tools employers can utilize to identify warning signs, address care concerns, and maximize employee well-being. They will also discuss the variety of outside resources such as virtual care available to a company's staff.

This can't-be-missed event is part one in a series. Wellness in the Workforce Part 2: Understanding Obesity's Impact will be held on April 25th. Members who sign up for both events at the same time will receive a 10% discount.

Workforce Network

March 28th | 2-3PM | Virtual, Free

SPEAKER: G. Bryan Slater, Secretary of Labor, Commonwealth of Virginia, will present on the recently passed workforce consolidation bill and the next steps in ensuring our workforce efforts in Virginia run efficiently while maximizing business resources.

Are you interested in finding innovative solutions to our region’s workforce challenges? Then please join us for the next meeting of the Workforce Network. The Workforce Network is an inclusive and collaborative community of workforce professionals and others interested in workforce innovation. Monthly meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month. 

Wellness in the Workforce Part 2: Understanding Obesity’s Impact on the Workforce & How to Combat It

April 25th | 11:30AM-1:30PM | The St. James

Receive a 10% discount when you register for both this event and Part 1, March 28th, at the same time.

Keynote: Lydia Wang, Medical Account Associate Director, Novo Nordisk

Moderator: Ruth Williams-Brinkley, President, Mid-Atlantic Region Kaiser Permanente

Panelists:

• Christina Gallagher, Senior Center Administrator, George Washington University
• Kyle Russell, CEO, Virginia Health Institute
• Craig Dixon, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, The St. James

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, and progressive disease that affects over 30% of Virginia's adult population and continues to grow in prevalence. It acts as a driver for a multitude of other serious health conditions and has been linked to $147 billion dollars in annual medical costs within the US alone. Despite these staggering numbers and the disease's impact on both our population and businesses, comprehensive care for obesity faces barriers in the form of stigma, bias, perception, and access to care.

Join us on April 25th for Part 2 of our Wellness in the Workplace Series which will focus on the impact obesity has on our business community before covering ways to combat it. During this event, our Keynote, Lydia Wang, Medical Account Associate Director, Novo Nordisk, and our panel of experts will discuss what role organizations can play to support this serious, complex, and chronic condition with a profoundly negative impact on health and quality of life. 

This can't-be-missed event is part two in a series. Wellness in the Workforce Part 1: Mental Health’s Impact will be held on March 28th. Chamber Members who sign up for both events at the same time will receive a 10% discount. If you are registering for both, please contact Homaira for your discount code at hsherdil@novachamber.org.

Greater Washington Apprentice Network

April 4th | 2-3PM | Virtual, Free

SPEAKER: Debby Hopkins

Director, Workforce Initiatives

Appteon, Inc., who will be talking about the advantages of working with an intermediary to build an apprentice program. An apprenticeship intermediary is an organization with the capacity, expertise, and network to help businesses successfully create, launch, and expand apprenticeship programs. 

The Greater Washington Apprentice Network (GWAN) brings together employers, academic institutions, public and private sectors. Employers gain access to best practices from organizational peers, sources of prospective apprentice candidates, support services, academic institutions, and training resources. The GWAN meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month for an Employer Briefing.

C-Suite Roundtable By Invitation, Members-Only

May 3rd

Our next Roundtable will be held over lunch on March 8th and will feature Todd Marks, Founder, CEO, & President of Mindgrub Technologies.

Get ready to ignite your curiosity and broaden your horizon as we present an electrifying fireside discussion on Artificial Intelligence! Join us for lunch at the prestigious Tower Club in Virginia as the Chamber dives into the exciting world of AI and its numerous applications. Be a part of a thought-provoking conversation on how ChatGPT, Machine Learning and Robotic Process Automation are transforming industries.

If you would like to add your name to our C-Suite Roundtable list, please contact Carmen Sevilla, Chamber Senior Manager, Member Engagement, at csevilla@novachamber.org.