$1.6M raised, nearly 800 guests and five new laureates
WASHINGTON, DC (December 12, 2023) – On December 5, the Washington Business Hall of Fame (Hall of Fame) welcomed five new Laureates at the 35th annual gala at The Anthem, raising a record-breaking $1.6 million to support the work of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington (JA) to reengineer education to expand economic mobility and opportunity for all students through the Exponential Tomorrows campaign.
For 35 years, the Hall of Fame has recognized the achievements of our region’s most accomplished business leaders – celebrating the impact they’ve had on our local economy and communities. The 2023 Washington Business Hall of Fame laureates are:
Richard M. Adams – Executive Chairman, United Bank
Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. – Chairman and CEO, Park Hotels & Resorts
Terri McClements – Senior Partner and Former Mid-Atlantic Market Managing Partner, PwC (retired)
Deryl McKissak, PE – President and CEO, McKissack & McKissack
Kurt D. Newman, MD – President and CEO, Children’s National Hospital (retired)
Pictured left to right are Kurt D. Newman, MD; Terri McClements; Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.; Deryl McKissack, PE; and Richard M. Adams.
With a mission to honor the best in business to inspire the next in business, the 2023 Hall of Fame gala welcomed nearly 800 members of the Greater Washington business community to celebrate the newest laureates, learn about JA’s impact on local students, and demonstrate their investment in the transformational movement in education driven by JA’s work.
“Every person and organization supporting this year’s Hall of Fame is important to JA’s mission. Not only do the Hall of Fame proceeds power our work year-round, but this event plays a pivotal role for the students you met tonight. They’re here alongside trailblazing Washington business leaders, learning, making connections, and getting a uniquely powerful glimpse into what’s possible for their own futures.”
Among the highlights of the event were appearances by impressive local high school students from Ballou Senior High School and Potomac High School who are already starting entrepreneurial ventures and solving strategic business issues through their involvement with JA. Each of the Laureates shared stories about the milestones they’ve passed on their journeys to success, from humble beginnings and personal losses to the family, friends and mentors who have lifted them up along the way. Legendary local anchor Leon Harris (NBC4), who has emceed the Hall of Fame in years past, officially “passed the baton” to the next generation of leaders: the JA students who took the helm in presenting at this year’s gala.
2023 Washington Business Hall of Fame Event Chairs Kevin and Beth Smithson
The 2023 Hall of Fame, presented by PwC, was chaired by Kevin Smithson (DC Office Managing Partner, PwC) and Beth Smithson (Principal, Scopo Design LLC) and supported by the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Business Journal, as well as several business and community partners.
“We were so honored to co-chair this year’s Washington Business Hall of Fame … It’s easy to say yes to an organization that shares our core values: putting family at the center, giving back to our community and creating opportunities for young people.”
Mark your calendar for next year’s Hall of Fame gala on November 20, 2024! For more information, please visit www.washingtonbusinesshalloffame.org.
Want to learn more about how you can support JA before the 2024 Washington Business Hall of Fame? Visit www.exponentialtomorrows.org.