Washington Welcomes: Recent Episodes
The Economic Club
As the premier forum for distinguished global leaders to share their insights about major issues of the day, The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. invites you to listen to some of our recent conversations. Welcome!
Today, Alan M. Garber, President, Harvard University sat down with Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein.
They discussed how the nation’s leading academic institutions are navigating a period of rapid technological and financial change.
David Joyner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CVS Health sat down with Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein to discuss how CVS Health’s integrated portfolio of health insurance, pharmacy, and community-based care is reshaping how Americans access and afford health care, and Joyner’s leadership of one of the nation’s largest health care companies.
Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson & Johnson, joined Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein to explore Johnson & Johnson’s strategy for driving the next era of healthcare innovation and what it takes to lead a global enterprise through an accelerating transformation in medicine.
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of the District of Columbia, joined Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein for a wide-ranging conversation on the economic transformation of the District over her three terms, her experience leading the nation's capital through some of the most defining chapters of its recent history, and the priorities shaping her final year in office.
At the end of their conversation, Mayor Bowser was presented the 2026 Arne M. Sorenson Excellence in Leadership Award.
Paul Toboni, President of Baseball Operations, and Jason Sinnarajah, President of Business Operations of the Washington Nationals joined Economic Club Board Officer Lawrence Di Rita, President, Greater Washington, D.C., Bank of America.
They discussed, among other things, the vision behind the Nationals' new leadership structure and what the future looks like for baseball at the intersection of fan engagement, revenue growth, technology, and on-field performance.
Raj Subramaniam, President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Corporation, joined Chairman David M. Rubenstein for a conversation on the role of technology in transforming how goods move across the world economy and the geopolitical forces reshaping international trade.
Today, The Honorable Paul S. Atkins of the Security Exchange Commission provided remarks at The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and then spoke with Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein.
Charlie Scharf, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wells Fargo joined Economic Club Chairman David M Rubenstein to explore Wells Fargo's transformation in the past decade and how major financial institutions are adapting to technological change, regulatory shifts, and the demands of an evolving global economy.
Adena T. Friedman, Chair and CEO of Nasdaq, Inc., spoke with Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein on the outlook of global capital markets, and how technology and data are shaping transparency, integrity, and trust across the financial system.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. welcomed The Honorable J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), and The Honorable Gov. Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland and Vice-Chair of the NGA.
As Chair and Vice Chair of the NGA, Governors Stitt and Moore discussed the NGA’s initiative, Reigniting the American Dream, a bipartisan effort to expand economic opportunity, reimagine education, and prepare our energy systems for the future.
Last week, Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein spoke with Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, CEO & Chairman of Circle.
Allaire shared insights into the infrastructure behind internet-native financial systems, including Circle’s regulated stablecoin network and the work required to build trusted rails for global payments at scale.
Michael Arougheti, Co-Owner, Baltimore Orioles; Director, Co-Founder, and Chief Executive Officer, Ares Management Corporation; Cal Ripken, Jr., Minority Owner, Baltimore Orioles and Hall of Famer; Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations, Baltimore Orioles; Mike Elias, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager, Baltimore Orioles; and Craig Albernaz, Manager, Baltimore Orioles spoke with Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein about the Baltimore Orioles and the future of the franchise.
The Honorable Kevin A. Hassett, PhD, Director, National Economic Council spoke with David M. Rubenstein, Chairman of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Their conversation, among other things, touched upon the economic issues shaping our future, from the Federal Reserve to inflation to tariffs and the transformative impact of aritificial intelligence.
David M. Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, joined #EconClubDC for a Signature Event conversation with David M. Rubenstein, Chairman of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Solomon reflected on leadership, market resilience, and the power of adaptability in a changing global economy. He discussed Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses initiative, the importance of central bank independence, and the transformative potential of AI across industries. The conversation offered candid insights into fiscal policy, long-term growth, and how technology and innovation will continue to shape the future of global finance.
H.E. Kirsten Hillman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States, spoke with Economic Club of Washington, D.C.'s Barbara Humpton, Chair of the Economic Club Global Initiative and CEO of Siemens USA.
Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Air Lines, joined #EconClubDC for a wide-ranging conversation with Barbara Humpton, Chair of the Global Initiative and CEO of Siemens USA. As Delta marks its 100th anniversary, the dialogue honored the airline’s legacy of leadership and examined how it is shaping the future of global aviation.
Bastian spoke about the modernization of air traffic control, the role of AI and new technologies, and Delta’s focus on safety, customer experience, and global connectivity. He emphasized how innovation and partnerships will shape the airline’s next century of flight.
H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Public Investment Fund (PIF) & Chairman of Saudi Aramco, spoke with Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein and discussed the impact of PIF's investments in the U.S. as well as its role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and more!
Chairman David Rubenstein sat down with Vicki Hollub, President and CEO of Occidental, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the future of energy.
Hollub shared insights on how the U.S. can lead in both traditional and emerging energy sectors, the evolving role of carbon capture and climate innovation, and what energy security looks like in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Following the recently announced plans for a new Washington Commanders stadium, Mark Clouse, President of the Washington Commanders, was interviewed by Economic Club Board Officer, Lawrence Di Rita, Head of Global Public Policy & President, Greater Washington, D.C., Bank of America.
They are discussed among other topics, the revitalization of the Washington Commanders’ brand through deepening community involvement, navigating the evolving business landscape of professional sports in the nation’s capital, and the future of the franchise.
As President Trump’s tax policies begin to take shape and the details emerge, Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Jason Smith, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means.
They discussed, among other things, federal tax policy, international trade, and the broader economic direction of the United States.
Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, spoke with Economic Club Board member Barbara Humpton, President and CEO, Siemens USA on the state of the economy.
Barkin discussed the impact of tariffs on the 2025 economic outlook, current labor trends, and speculated on the current market volatility's impact on unemployment and inflation. During these uncertain times, he especially emphasized the role businesses play in providing input into their analysis, as well as his direct involvement in gathering feedback from local businesses in his region to understand economic trends and challenges they face.
David Cordani, Chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group, spoke with Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein the evolution of sustainable healthcare models, emphasizing the importance of value-based care over fee-for-service models
Looking toward the future, Cordani stressed the need for a healthcare system that prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and efficiency. He highlighted policy and industry shifts that will enable better collaboration between insurers, providers, and technology companies to enhance patient care. The conversation also touched on the challenges of managing rising healthcare costs while maintaining high-quality service and innovation.
Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group spoke with Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein on the current state of the global economy, the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets, and strengthening economic resilience in the face of ongoing geopolitical and financial uncertainties.
Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of America spoke with Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein on the current state of the economy, markets, the health of the US consumer, and the global economic outlook for 2025.
Moynihan also shared insights into his career journey at Bank of America and how technology is reshaping banking, and more.
David A. Ricks, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Eli Lilly and Company, spoke with Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein on the future of global health, advancements in medical innovation, and the current dynamics of the pharmaceutical landscape.
During the interview, Ricks shared insights into his career journey at Lilly and discussed the company's ongoing efforts to address healthcare challenges such as improving patient outcomes through innovative solutions.
With Election Day quickly approaching, Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein hosted a conversation with top political analysts featuring:
* Nikole Killion, Congressional Correspondent, CBS News
* Kasie Hunt, Anchor & Chief National Affairs Analyst, CNN
* Ben Smith, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Semafor
* Amy Walter, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, The Cook Political Report
* Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent, The New York Times
The panelists covered, among other things, the upcoming presidential and congressional races based on recent poll results, key voter issues, expected voter turnout, and mail-in ballots and early voting. They also shared their opinions and predictions on the potential outcomes of the election in terms of popular and electoral totals, and balance of power in the House and Senate.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a conversation Allison Barber, Ph.D., President and COO of the Indiana Fever, Indiana’s WNBA franchise, who was interviewed by Club Board Officer, Lawrence Di Rita, President, Greater Washington, D.C., Bank of America.
Their conversation covered Dr. Barber’s role as an educator, communications strategist in the White House, and her current role in women's professional basketball. Under her leadership, the Indiana Fever recently made headlines by selecting Caitlin Clark, the standout guard from Iowa, as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
On September 19, The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. was honored to host The President of the United States Joseph R. Biden,. Jr., as he joined Chairman David Rubenstein at a luncheon event.
President Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021. President Biden represented Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate before becoming the 47th Vice President of the United States.
As the election day quickly approaches, The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a discussion between #EconClubDC Chairman David Rubenstein and Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret.) on their upcoming books: The Highest Calling and 2054.
These two bestselling authors interviewed each other, sharing insights from their latest books and extensive experience in government, military, and business. They also discussed about the American presidency, world affairs, and the potential challenges of unchecked technological progress.
Yesterday, Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Jerome H. Powell, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
They discussed among other things, the current state of the U.S. and global economy, steps taken by the Federal Reserve to combat inflation, and economic indicators guiding the Federal Reserve toward continued economic recovery.
With a legacy spanning over 240 years, BNY has evolved into a global financial powerhouse that plays a crucial role in the world's financial system.
Earlier this week, Robin Vince, President and CEO of BNY, discussed BNY's long and storied history with Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein and explored the future of finance and banking.
Garry Tan, President and CEO of Y Combinator, participated in a discussion with Economic Club Officer Teresa Carlson, Board Member of General Catalyst, on the culture of innovation and risk-taking in startups.
In their conversation, Tan explained the success of their startup accelerator program as seen in their track record with around 5.5% of its accelerated startups achieving unicorn status.
Following General Electric's (GE) successful split into three public companies, Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace.
Culp talked about the current state of technology innovation and sustainability in the aerospace industry. He also discussed his leadership journey leading to his role as CEO of GE Aerospace.
Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on the dynamic role of the Department in ensuring the security of the United States.
Mayorkas examined the the Department's recent efforts to ensure the safe and secure development and deployment of AI technology, security of our critical infrastructure, border security and immigration enforcement, and the elevated threat environment.
Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry, The Republic of Singapore participated in a Global Executive Conversation with Economic Club Board Member Barbara Humpton, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens USA, about the economic relationship between the United States and Singapore.
In their conversation, Mr. Gan Kim Yong discussed the future trajectory of the U.S.-Singapore economic and trade relationship, as well as the significance of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
From bringing the community together to fostering a sense of pride, the Baltimore Orioles’ impact cannot be overstated.
Earlier this week, David Rubenstein, Club Chairman and Owner of the Baltimore Orioles, and Cal Ripken, Jr., Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer, joined the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. to discuss the new frontier for the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore.
Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Jeffrey Zients, Chief of Staff to The President of the United States, on the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in government.
Zients’ explored the priorities of the Biden-Harris administration, examined current national and global issues, and provided insight into his leadership approach in overseeing the implementation of the administration’s priorities.
Chair of The Economic Club’s Global Initiative Barbara Humpton, President and CEO of Siemens USA, interviewed Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She highlighted the LPGA's efforts to make golf a more diverse, accessible, and inclusive sport and the significance of the Solheim Cup.
Mollie Marcoux Samaan discussed the important role of the LPGA in supporting women in golf by providing them with opportunities to participate in various competitions and to enjoy and excel in golf, regardless of their background, gender, or ethnicity. The Solheim Cup, which is a biennial team competition between female golfers from Europe and the United States, plays vital part of that effort.
Marc Rowan, Co-Founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, Inc. spoke with David Rubenstien on the the current economic landscape, the evolution of finance, and the role of private credit.
Marc Rowan talked about his early beginnings at University of Pennsylvania to his rise as a financial titan when he co-founded Apollo Global Management, a global alternative asset manager and retirement services business serving institutional and individual investors with over $630 billion in assets under management. He shared his perspective on effective leadership, financial markets, and his role as the Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
The Honorable Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland, and The Honorable Spencer J. Cox, Governor of Utah, spoke with Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent (formerly Anchor and Managing Editor) of PBS NewsHour, on the state of bipartisanship in America.
As the United States embarks on the 2024 Presidential election cycle, Governors Moore and Cox explored the themes of diminishing community and connection in America, the challenges of navigating political dysfunction as Governors, and potential pathways to reduce divisiveness and polarization.
Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc., sat down with David Rubenstein to discuss the current technology landscape.
From discussing his career journey to diving into the innovative development process at HP, Enrique Lores provided insights into what technology manufactures like HP are facing, such as supply chain disruptions, artificial intelligence, immersive technology, developing workforce talent, and more.
Economic Club Board member Jodie McLean interviewed Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on the current state of the U.S. economy.
Tom Barkin discussed about the cross-collaborative approach in the Federal Reserve on creating monetary policy. He emphasized the role businesses play in providing input into their analysis, as well as his direct involvement in gathering feedback from local businesses in his region to understand economic trends and challenges they face.
Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed Sheila Johnson, Author of "Walk Through Fire" and Founder and CEO of the Salamander Collection - a leading hospitality organization.
"Walk Through Fire" is a uniquely American success story. From humble beginnings, Sheila Johnson rose to become one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America and the first African American female billionaire. She co-founded Black Entertainment Television and is the only African American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the Washington Capitals, the Washington Wizards, and the Washington Mystics.
Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed the Chair and CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra, covering the transformation of the automotive industry to an all-electric future, the path to autonomous vehicles, and the recent negotiations with GM’s workforce against the backdrop of evolving macroeconomic trends and global competition.
Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed the CEO of Bayer AG, Bill Anderson, covering Bayer’s innovations in healthcare and agriculture, his plans for revitalizing the company, and the state of the global economy, among other things.
Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, covering the Governor's top policy priorities including the recent passage of a bipartisan budget, the upcoming 2023 Virginia election, and whether or not he will run for president, just to name a few.
Just one week after the publication of his latest book, Elon Musk, Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein interviewed Walter Isaacson on this new, revealing biography. For two years, Isaacson shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries, resulting in the astonishingly intimate story of one of the most fascinating and controversial innovators of our era.
Eric Gertler, Executive Chairman and CEO of U.S. News & World Report joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for an amusing interview. Their conversation covered the 90th Anniversary of U.S. News & World Report, the diversification of the organization as a source for consumer advice, rankings and analysis, and the future of the media industry.
Just days prior to the Washington Commanders’ 2023 regular season debut, David Rubenstein interviews the new ownership of the Washington Commanders: Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales.
This wide-ranging conversation covers the highly-publicized sale of the Commanders, the outlook for the team under its new leadership, and the current professional sports landscape from the perspective of a multi-franchise team owner.
Robert E. Rubin, Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Co-Chairman of Goldman Sachs, and author of the recently published book The Yellow Pad: Making Better Decisions in an Uncertain World, joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein, for a lively discussion on life and leadership.
As the global banking industry experiences a precarious period, inflation remains high, and the worldwide economy continues to recover, Citi CEO Jane Fraser joins David Rubenstein for a wide-ranging conversation.
CEO of JetBlue, Robin Hayes, joined Club Chairman David Rubenstein, to discuss JetBlue's pending merger with Spirit Airlines which would create the fifth largest airline in the U.S., the current state of play across the airline industry, and the future of commercial air travel, amongst other things. A don’t miss interview!
The Honorable Jerome Powell, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein, for a wide-ranging interview on the current state of the U.S. economy, the unprecedented actions taken by the Federal Reserve to combat inflation, and the economic indicators guiding the Federal Reserve's steps towards continued economic recovery.
Rosalind "Roz" Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein, for an in-depth interview on her broad experience working at the top of multiple Fortune 100 companies, how she is working to transform the organization into a consumer-centric health care company, and why Walgreens Boots Alliance is focused on increasing their presence in the primary, specialty and urgent care space.
Economic Club Chairman, David Rubenstein, moderated a Post-Election panel with 5 top political analysts, including Mike Allen of Axios, Nikole Killion of CBS News, Kasie Hunt of CNN, Bret Baier of Fox News TV, and Charlie Cook of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. The panel discussed the outcomes of the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and gubernatorial races, the balance of power in the House and Senate, and how the results will affect the remainder of President Biden’s first term and the 2024 Presidential race.
Steve Case, CEO of Revolution and Co-Founder of AOL joined David Rubenstein, Economic Club Chairman and Co-Founder of Carlyle, for a candid and rather humorous conversation where they interview each other on their recently published books, “How to Invest” and “The Rise of the Rest”.
Brian Deese, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council, joined David Rubenstein, Economic Club Chairman, for an in-depth discussion on the state of the U.S. and global economy, how the Biden Administration's core economic legislation will impact the economy over the long-term, and the ongoing implications of inflation and the nation's deficit...just to name a few.
Mike Sievert, T-Mobile's CEO, joins David Rubenstein, Economic Club Chairman, for a fast-paced conversation on T-Mobile's post-merger progress, the status of 5G (and what it is), and a glimpse into what could be possible for the telecommunications industry in the near future.
Marriott International's CEO, Anthony Capuano, joins Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of travel, the struggle to hire talent, and how new tech will be used to enhance the hotel experience, just to name a few.
Harvard University’s 29th President, Lawrence Bacow, joins Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a candid conversation on his experience running higher education institutions, providing listeners the opportunity to learn more about the University’s challenges and discover some of Harvard’s ever-changing possibilities.
Northrop Grumman Chairman, CEO, and President Kathy Warden joins Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for an interview on the organization’s current role supporting Ukraine and a glimpse into her experience running one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies.
Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States Marek Magierowski joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a timely interview focused on Poland’s response to the war in Ukraine.
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan joins Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a conversation on the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other ongoing national security concerns.
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain joins Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a timely conversation on current events and administration priorities. Gain insights into the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, and the future of Build Back Better, just to name a few.
“I do expect [the President] to run for re-election.” – Ron Klain
Founder and Publisher of POLITICO Robert Allbritton joined Economic Club Chairman David Rubenstein for a fast-paced conversation covering Robert's reflections on building POLITICO, the recent sale of the organization to Axel Springer, and what he envisions for his future as he transitions to his next chapter.
“One of the magics of POLITICO is that we always stayed very targeted…always stayed squarely looking at politics and policy, squarely looking at it from a #nonpartisan, independent point of view.”
On the heels of a historic rebrand, Washington Commanders team President Jason Wright sits down with Club Chairman David Rubenstein for an in-depth conversation on the team’s future under his leadership.
In this episode, Patrick Gelsinger, CEO of Intel Corporation, joined the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. for an interview with David Rubenstein. Listen to their fascinating conversation on the global semiconductor shortage, how Intel is working to accelerate U.S. chip production, and the future of all things tech.
Michael R. Beschloss, Author and Presidential Historian for NBC News, interviewed David M. Rubenstein on his third book, "The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream" on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
In "The American Experiment," Rubenstein explores the diverse make-up of our country’s DNA through interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winning historians, diplomats, music legends and sports giants. The book brings the American spirit to life, revealing the setbacks, suffering, resilience, ingenuity, and social movements that continue to shape our vision of what America is and what it can be. It is a powerful and inspirational reminder of this country’s promise.
David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Joseph Manchin III, United States Senator for West Virginia, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
Senator Manchin was sworn into the United States Senate on November 15, 2010 and is currently serving in his third term. He remains committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to find commonsense solutions to the problems our country faces and is working hard to usher in a bipartisan spirit in the Senate and Congress. He serves as the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and also serves on the Senate Committees of Appropriations, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs.
Prior to joining the Senate, Senator Manchin served as the 34th Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010 and the 27th Secretary of State of West Virginia from 2001 to 2005. Senator Manchin attended West Virginia University on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1970.
The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, made remarks outlining her vision to increase American competitiveness on September 28, 2021. David M. Rubenstein then joined her for a conversation-style interview about her agenda.
Gina M. Raimondo serves as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce and was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on March 3, 2021. As Secretary of Commerce, she is focused on increasing American competitiveness by investing in America's communities, expanding workforce development and skills training, empowering entrepreneurs to innovate and grow, and ensuring American workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field.
Prior to joining the Administration, she was the 75th, and first woman, Governor of Rhode Island, serving from January 2015 to March 2021. During her time as Governor, Secretary Raimondo kick-started the state’s economy and made record investments in infrastructure, education, and job training.
David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, in 2019, he launched his campaign for President. Throughout 2020, he campaigned for the Biden-Harris ticket and served on the advisory board for the presidential transition. In December, he was nominated by President-elect Biden to be the 19th Secretary of Transportation. He was confirmed by the Senate on February 2, 2021, becoming the first openly gay person confirmed to serve in a Presidential Cabinet.
Secretary Buttigieg served two terms as Mayor of his hometown of South Bend, Indiana from 2011 to 2019. Known as “Mayor Pete”, he worked across the aisle to transform South Bend’s future, establishing new resources to extend opportunity and access to technology for all residents. Under his leadership, household income grew, poverty fell, and unemployment was cut in half.
A graduate of Harvard University and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, Buttigieg served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, taking a leave of absence from the Mayor’s office for a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014.
Secretary Buttigieg lives with his husband Chasten and their rescue dogs, Buddy and Truman.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a virtual Signature Event on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed Scott Kirby, Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines, Inc.
Scott Kirby served as the company’s President from 2016 to 2020 and was responsible for United’s operations, marketing, sales, alliances, network planning and revenue management. As President, he played a pivotal role in enabling United’s cultural transformation and executing the Company’s strategic growth plan. Elected in December 2020, Scott serves as the Chairman of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB).
Prior to joining United, Mr. Kirby was president of American Airlines from 2013 to 2016 and president of US Airways from 2006 to 2013. He is an industry veteran, with a broad and accomplished three-decade-long career in significant leadership roles within the airline industry. Mr. Kirby started his career at the Pentagon and in the technology sector.
Mr. Kirby has bachelor’s degrees in computer science and operations research from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in operations research from George Washington University.
On Thursday, June 10, 2021, David Rubenstein interviewed John Stankey of AT&T on the digital divide, proposed broadband infrastructure legislation, and AT&T's recently announced deal to spin-off WarnerMedia into a co-owned company with Discovery.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a virtual Signature Event on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO & President of Ariel Investments, LLC.
As Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Mellody is responsible for management, strategic planning and growth for all areas of Ariel Investments, outside of research and portfolio management, for the nearly $15 billion dollar company. Additionally, she serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ariel Investment Trust—the company’s publicly traded mutual funds. Prior to being named Co-CEO, Mellody spent nearly two decades as the firm’s President.
She is also Co-Founder of Ariel Alternatives, LLC, a private asset management firm founded in February 2021. Its first initiative, Project Black, aims to scale sustainable minority-owned businesses.
Mellody is the incoming Chair of the Board of Starbucks Corporation and is also a director of JPMorgan Chase. She received her AB from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations and Public Policy.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a Signature Event on Thursday, May 13, 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed, in two separate segments, The Honorable Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Honorable Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, David Rubenstein interviewed the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, The Honorable Jerome Powell, on the current state of the U.S. economy, the unprecedented actions taken by the Federal Reserve during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic indicators guiding the Federal Reserve's actions as the economy recovers.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a virtual Signature Event on Wednesday, April 7 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed Gregory J. Hayes, Chief Executive Officer of Raytheon Technologies Corporation. One year ago in April, Greg Hayes led the all-stock merger of United Technologies Corporation with Raytheon Technologies, creating one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies with 180,000 employees and $57 billion in net annual sales.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a virtual Signature Event on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed Mike Roman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 3M. 3M applies science to life to help solve the world’s biggest challenges. During this current global crisis, 3M has fought the pandemic from all angles, delivering personal protective equipment to health care workers.
Mike Roman oversees the $32 billion company with over 90,000 employees in nearly all countries. 3M is an American innovation powerhouse, producing more than 60,000 products. Mike became Chairman of the Board in May 2019 and Chief Executive Officer in July 2018. Throughout his 30-year career at 3M, he has lived and led businesses around the world, including the United States, Europe and Asia. Mike joined 3M in 1988 as a senior design engineer.
Mike holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a virtual Signature Event on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc.
Ken Frazier joined Merck in 1992 and rose through positions of increasing responsibility, including General Counsel and President, ultimately becoming Chairman and CEO since 2011. As one of the largest multinational pharmaceutical companies in the world, Merck is dedicated to delivering innovative, lifesaving medicines and vaccines that benefit global public health. Under Ken’s leadership, Merck’s investment in research and development has substantially increased, generating breakthroughs to treat unmet medical needs and benefitting patients around the world.
Ken Frazier is also Co-Chair of OneTen, a new initiative that relies on a coalition of leading executives to provide one million careers for Black Americans within the next ten years. OneTen will connect leading local, regional, and national education and skillbuilding organizations with employers who are committed to hiring, upskilling and advancing Black talent. “Through the creation of one million jobs for Black Americans over the next ten years, OneTen has the potential to address persistent intergenerational gaps in opportunity and wealth,” says Ken. To date, 37 companies have joined the initiative.
David Rubenstein interviewed three leading health experts, who are also Economic Club members, to discuss the current surge in COVID-19 cases including an update on our area hospitals and the plan for vaccine allocation and distribution. The featured panelists were: Kimberly K. Horn, Executive Vice President and Group President, Markets Outside California, Kaiser Permanente; J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System; and Kenneth A. Samet, FACHE, President and CEO, MedStar Health.
David Rubenstein interviewed members of Congress to discuss the recent attacks at the U.S. Capitol, the current political environment, potential reforms to security measures, and the way forward to national unity. The featured panelists were: The Honorable Debbie Dingell, Representative for Michigan's 12th Congressional District and The Honorable Tom Reed, Representative for New York's 23rd Congressional District.
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted an interview between David Rubenstein and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.