March 7, 2023

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ADVOCACY UPDATE

2023 Virginia General Assembly Workforce Update

The 2023 Virginia General Assembly wrapped up on February 25th in Richmond. The Chamber's Vice President of Government Relations, Nick Clemente, was in attendance all 46 days (and then some!), advocating on behalf of our Region and Chamber membership. Chamber members were kept up-to-date throughout the session through Nick's weekly emails and member advocacy calls. He was also always a phone call away should a member have a need in Richmond. Not a member? Learn more about Chamber membership opportunities here.


Below is the workforce excerpt from Nick's summary sent to all Chamber members at the General Assembly's conclusion:


Our top priority this 2023 General Assembly session was the workforce development consolidation effort. The Chamber's own NOVABIZPAC Chairman, Scott McGeary, Washington Gas, Jim Dyke and I worked daily with Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater to ensure passage of Delegate Kathy Byron’s HB2195, and Senators George Barker and Frank Ruff’sSB1470. The effort resulted in a rare bipartisan victory that consolidates and transforms Virginia’s fragmented workforce development system and creates the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (DWDA). This new agency will direct all workforce programs across state government to enhance workforce readiness for current and future jobs in the Commonwealth. The outcome was supported by a broad coalition of trade and industry groups, educators, labor unions, and business workforce leaders. 

For the past six weeks, I have provided Chamber members with weekly updates on this initiative and today I want to give you some additional commentary on our entire journey and how our advocacy work impacts our Region as a whole. At the beginning of the General Assembly session, we set out to become the “Workforce Chamber” and, consequently, dedicated a large portion of our efforts to ensuring that this legislation passed. While it wasn't always easy, thanks to our perseverance, we helped accomplish a reorganization 32 years in the making. It was certainly a roller coaster ride that included late nights strategizing with Secretary Slater, but to be a part of it was an honor of a lifetime. 


On January 26th, at the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing for HB2195, the Byron Bill was considered and... continue reading >>


For anyone who would like to virtually meet the great Secretary Slater, he will be joining us for our monthly, free Workforce Network meeting on March 28th at 2PM. Register here

Read the Full Workforce Message

NEWS YOU CAN USE

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

President and CEO of Fairfax County Economic Development Authority receives the President's Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of Fairfax County Economic Development Authority for receiving the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House for his lifelong commitment to building a strong nation through volunteering. Learn more here.

Leading By Example link update

Last week's Doing Business featured a link to the Chamber's new DEI video series, Leading By Example. A technical issue required a link switch. The first video featuring Deborah Gandy, Vice Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors (incoming Chairman for 2023-2024) and Managing Director at Chevy Chase Trust and Kathryn Falk, Vice President, Northern Virginia, Cox Communications is now available here.

IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL
UPCOMING EVENTS

Greater Washington Apprentice Network

March 7th | 2-3PM | Virtual, Free

SPEAKER: Laila Salguero, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Peraton, who will present on Peraton's Apprentice Program.


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.

Register Here by Noon Today

C-Suite Roundtable By Invitation, Members-Only

March 8th

Our next Roundtable will be held over lunch on March 8th and will feature B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., Floyd D. Gottwald Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering. Frank will not only share lessons learned in creating Virginia's Pharma Cluster Coalition, but also how pharma itself is influencing our greater workforce, the economy, and our own national stockpile.


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.

Chamber 101 Members-Only

March 14th | 12-1PM | Virtual, Free

This informational networking session will teach you about opportunities for engagement across a wide array of industries and subject areas. You'll learn:

  • How you can engage a broad spectrum of employees
  • How the Chamber's advocacy efforts and communications can support your business
  • The best ways for you to connect to the Chamber's base of innovative and influential member companies

and much more. This will be a great opportunity to network with other new members. This is a virtual event and will be provided through Microsoft TEAMS.

Register Here

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
Register Here

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. 

Register Here

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.

Register Here

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 once

Keynote:

  • Elizabeth Hughes, Senior Director of Insight Region, Community Foundation of 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
  • 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 once will receive a 10% discount.

Register Here

Workforce Network

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

SPEAKER: G. Bryan Slater, Secretary of Labor, Commonwealth of Virginia.


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. 

Register Here

MEMBER ADVANTAGE

MEMBER NEWS

Britepaths invites you to Artful Living: Forward! Thursday, April 27th at the Country Club of Fairfax. VIP Reception: 6:45-7:30PM; Event: 7:30-10PM. Juried Art Show, silent and live charity auctions, music from World's End Jazz, games and more. Benefits Northern Virginia families working toward self-sufficiency. Sponsorships are available. Learn more here.


Commonwealth Consultants just celebrated its 20th Annual “Hike for the Kids,” which takes children who live in homeless shelters and difficult circumstances up Rattlesnake Mountain in Linden, Virginia and past bears, deer and other marvels of nature. We have been fortunate to have served over 580 kids so far. Learn more here.


Learn how to experience workplace well-being at George Mason University’s next free Leading to Well-Being Speaker Series webinar, Wed. March 29th, 12-1:30PM. “From Self-Care to We-Care” will feature business leaders Laura Hamill and Michael McCarthy, who help host the Happy at Work podcast. Learn more here.


Genesys Works Executive Director, Selvon M. Waldron, and ATCS, PLC CEO Young Ho Chang were interviewed on WUSA9's Great Day Washington about the importance of a diverse workforce, and how their partnership is addressing the opportunity gap. The interview about this unique nonprofit/corporate sector partnership can be found here.

Would you like to include your member organization's news in our next Doing Business issue? Sharing news is free for all members! All you have to do it complete the form on our website found here. The deadline to submit news is Friday at 12PM prior to our Tuesday newsletter.
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Doing Business is the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's weekly e-newsletter focused on member-relevant news, Council Series updates, and upcoming events. Each month we will feature advocacy updates, a message from our President & CEO, and member-written blog posts. Subscription sign-up and past issues may be found on our website.
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
7900 Westpark Drive | Suite A550 | Tysons Corner | VA | 22102
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