Washington Welcomes

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.