District Leaders Announced as 2019 WeDC Ambassadors
Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Creatives and Influencers will Represent the Washington, DC as the Capital of Inclusive Innovation throughout the Year at Notable Events and Conferences
WASHINGTON, DC (February 14, 2019) – The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), announce today the 2019 WeDC Ambassadors, featuring a lineup of the city’s prominent business leaders, innovators and creators.
The 2019 WeDC Ambassador program provides an opportunity for Washington, DC residents to serve as unofficial representatives for the city in order to drive awareness, share their stories and perspectives about the city’s business ecosystem. WeDC Ambassadors play an important role in promoting the District’s growing economy, innovation initiatives and vibrant culture.
“Washington, DC positions itself as the Capital of Inclusive Innovation with support from our residents and communities. Thanks to our businesses and talented workforce, the District continues to amplify our presence and narrative of growth in front of a global audience,” said Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. “WeDC Ambassadors will further highlight our city’s dedication to inclusivity, diversity and innovation across all sectors.”
WeDC Ambassadors will participate in programming throughout the year and will be tasked with amplifying the District’s messages to larger audiences by leveraging their networks, providing personal insights and authentic experiences. Those selected who are planning to attend South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals in Austin, Texas will be able to engage with leaders and influencers from around the city, country, and world at Washington, DCs 7th annual #WeDC House from March 9 – March 11, 2019.
“WeDC stands for ‘We the People of Washington, DC,’” said Keith J. Sellars, President & CEO of WDCEP. “Ambassadors reflect the diversity of our city, highlighted by best-in-class leaders who act in a volunteer capacity as unofficial representatives of the District. We’re proud to announce our first year-round program as we continue to establish Washington, DC as a leading global city for doing business.”
The year-long 2019 WeDC Ambassador program features 27 leaders representing a variety of industries including technology, retail, social entrepreneurship, entertainment and more. The full list of 2019 WeDC Ambassadors are:
- Ben Adams, Co-founder & Managing Director, Advoc8
- Michael Akin, President, LINK Strategic Partners
- Dominic Bonaduce, General Manager, Alley Powered by Verizon
- Kirsten Brecht Baker, CEO & Co-Founder, Jeenie
- Madia Brown, Chief Storytelling Strategist, TomahWares
- Stephen Buko, CEO, Kerb
- Ruth Chandler Cook, CEO, HireHer
- Ayana Christie, Lead Business Strategist, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Alex Cohen, Founder, TwentyTables
- Maria Patricia Corrales, President, Fiesta DC, Inc
- Josh Daniell, Campus Director, Flatiron School
- Amelia Friedman, COO, Hatch Apps
- Michael Holstein, Chief Content Officer and Director of Communications, The Content Farm and DC SCORES
- Giuseppe Lanzone, Co-Founder & COO, Peruvian Brothers
- Vernon Lee, Jr., Managing Member, Marathon Foundation Partners, LLC
- Shannon Lynch, Associate Producer, SiriusXM
- Mike Malloy, Program Manager, Halcyon Incubator
- Jennifer Motruk, Director of Corporate Marketing + Communications, The Menkiti Group, KW Capital Properties
- Kelly O’Malley, Regional Director, Vinetta Project
- Aaron Saunders, CEO, Inclusive Innovation Incubator
- JC Smith, Co-Owner, Bailiwick Clothing Company
- Furard Tate, Owner & Co-Founder, Inspire Hospitality, DMV Black Restaurant Week
- Jeffery Tribble, Founder and CEO, The MusicianShip
- Timur Tugberk, Chief Imagineer, Designing the District
- Kia Weatherspoon, President/Design Advocate, Determined by Design, LLC
- Roxanne Williams, President Urban Ed, Inc.
- Deloris Wilson, Head of Strategy and Operations, BEACON: The D.C. Women Founders Initiative
For more information about the 2019 WeDC Ambassadors and upcoming events, please visit www.wedchouse.com. To set up an interview with Brian Kenner or Keith J. Sellars, please contact Devin Zitelman at dzitelman@wdcep.com or 202.661.8670, or Giselle-Marie Roig at giselle@thebrandguild.com or 202.733.5223.
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About Washington DC Economic Partnership
The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) is a non-profit, public-private organization that drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports business and promotes Washington, DC as a leading global city. Our mission is to promote DC’s economic and business opportunities and support business retention and attraction activities. Our partners including private companies and public-sector organizations give us access to a variety of resources including signature, award-winning publications, program, activities and site location assistance.
Follow Washington DC Economic Partnership on Twitter (www.twitter.com/wdcep) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/wdcep).
About WeDC Campaign
The WeDC Campaign, which stands for “we the people of Washington, DC,” was developed by the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) to promote the District as the “Capital of Inclusive Innovation.” The WeDC Campaign is used for programming, activations and events with a goal of supporting business attraction and retention in the District. Through activities that facilitate new business connections within the private and public sectors including technology, innovation and creative economies, the campaign is able to showcase the city’s dedication to inclusivity, diversity and innovation with a focus on its communities, talented workforce and residents.