Several Outstanding Individuals Honored for Their Business and Philanthropic Contributions
WASHINGTON (July 10, 2018) – Washington Business Hall of Fame founders Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Washingtonian today announced the 2018 Hall of Fame laureates. Since 1988, the Washington Business Hall of Fame has recognized the professional and philanthropic contributions of outstanding business leaders in our region who have made Greater Washington the city that it is today. The annual gala benefits Junior Achievement of Greater Washington and its innovative financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship K-12 programs that inspire the next generation of leaders to navigate their path to the American Dream.
This year’s laureates are:
José Andrés
Chef/Owner, ThinkFoodGroup & minibar by José Andrés
Donald A. Brown, Joseph B. Gildenhorn, and Benjamin R. Jacobs
Founding Partners, The JBG Companies
Mark D. Ein
Founder & CEO, Venturehouse Group, LLC
Dr. Sachiko Kuno
Founder & Chair, Halcyon
“This year’s laureates are an example of what’s possible from our region’s business leaders,” said Ed Grenier, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington. “Their passion for excellence and steadfast commitment to this community is an inspiration to all of us and a lesson in leadership for Greater Washington’s future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.”
Washington Business Hall of Fame laureates have shaped the regional landscape of Greater Washington and consistently demonstrated outstanding business accomplishments, visionary leadership, integrity and strong core values, and, passionate community engagement. Following a call for nominations from the general public, final selections are made by a nomination committee led by representatives of the three founding organizations. More than 100 remarkable laureates have been inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame since its founding in 1988. A full list is available at www.myJA.org/halloffame/laureates.
The laureates will be honored at a black-tie gala and awards ceremony, chaired by Grant Thornton Partner in Charge, Markets, Industries, and Clients – Atlantic Coast Region, Richard P. LaFleur on Wednesday, November 28 at the National Building Museum. At this year’s gala, more than 1,200 business and civic leaders will come together to honor this year’s laureates and raise more than $1.4 million to support Junior Achievement of Greater Washington’s K-12 programs and their work to inspire over 66,000 students in our region annually to be financially capable, tenacious, and equipped with the tools to manage risk effectively, solve problems creatively, and welcome opportunity in an increasingly complex modern economy. The gala is presented by Capital One and Grant Thornton.
To reserve a table and for event and sponsorship details, please visit www.WashingtonBusinessHallofFame.org.
About Junior Achievement of Greater Washington
Since 1965, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington has inspired the next generation to be financially capable and tenacious, equipped with the tools to solve problems creatively, manage risk effectively, and welcome opportunity. Through our experiential financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship K-12 programs and capstone experiences taught by volunteer role models from the community, we inspire the next generation to answer the demands of the 21st century economy with “I can.” During the 2017-2018 school year, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington will deliver its programs to more than 66,000 K-12 students throughout the region. In the last 50 years, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington has impacted the lives of more than 800,000 young people in the District, Maryland and Virginia. Follow JAGW on Facebook, Instagram @juniorachievementdc, and Twitter @JA_GW.