Open for business

Joining the DC Chamber of Commerce is a full circle moment for Chinyere Hubbard – a native Washingtonian who admits that while returning to the city and stepping into the role of President and CEO wasn’t something she planned, she’s thrilled to be there.

“This is a city that shaped me,” she tells The CEO Magazine. “I didn’t expect the economic uncertainty we’re facing now, but I think I’m the perfect person for this moment to lead the chamber through these challenging times and ensure our business community knows that we will make it to the other side.”

Hubbard started her career in politics and television before making “strategic pivots” into public relations, marketing and economic development across Los Angeles, New York and back to Washington, DC for the Sports and Entertainment Commission.

She brings this varied, cross-sector experience to her role at DC Chamber of Commerce. Less than a year into her tenure, she is steering one of the city’s most influential organizations through a period of both uncertainty and opportunity.

“The chamber has been the primary business advocate here for nearly 87 years, so it represents a solid and important legacy of business and partnerships in DC,” she says.

More than politics

Washington, DC has long been defined by its role as the political heart of the United States, but Hubbard believes that narrative is evolving rapidly. Today, the city is positioning itself as a global hub for innovation, investment and opportunity, driven by a dynamic business community and a renewed focus on economic diversification.

“DC is really more than just the seat of the federal government. We are a global capital for innovation, for policy, for opportunity,” she points out.

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“Over two million international visitors traveled to DC last year from all across the world, so we’ve touted the fact that despite the federal government shutdown, we were open for business and are safe and strong and a resilient city.”

While Hubbard readily concedes the current global situation is increasingly challenging, she’s optimistic about the array of future possibilities.

“Amid all the chaos, there are opportunities for growth and for businesses to succeed and thrive. It has been a gratifying experience being at the chamber,” she says.

Boasting an immense legacy, the DC Chamber of Commerce serves as a unifying voice for businesses across sectors, from finance, technology and construction to healthcare and retail.

With close to a thousand members, its mission is to advocate for policies that foster growth, connect businesses to opportunity and ensure the city remains competitive on the global stage.

“We have tremendous assets in the nation’s capital,” Hubbard enthuses. “What we’re doing at the DC Chamber is building pathways for international trade, for investment, for exchange.

“We’re connecting local entrepreneurs with global markets. We have strategic partnerships with several international chambers. We host familiarization tours and delegations from all across the world, and participate in other trade missions to showcase DC as a global destination for business where international and local companies can thrive and serve as a model for inclusive urban growth.”

With more than 175 embassies and a steady influx of international visitors, the city is uniquely positioned to facilitate cross-border investment and collaboration.

Growth prospects

While federal activity remains a cornerstone of the local economy, the city is actively diversifying into high-growth sectors such as technology, cybersecurity, AI and healthcare, working to position itself as a leading tech hub, hosting forums and working closely with government and academic institutions to align workforce skills with future industry needs.

“Mayor Muriel Bowser has put forth a strong growth agenda for the business community, which includes an expansion of a tech hub here in DC,” Hubbard explains.

“We have an incredibly large and highly skilled talent pool here who have been displaced amid federal government downsizing. But we don’t want to lose these workers to other parts of the country, so we’re focused on re-skilling and upskilling the talent pool that we have, so we can keep this highly educated workforce right here in our city.”

The goal is not just to attract companies, but to cultivate an ecosystem where startups and established firms alike can thrive.

“We are the connective tissue to ensure international firms are long-term contributors to our economy and our community,” Hubbard says.

“With the rise of tech corridors to sustainable construction and smart city initiatives, we’re invigorating some of the job growth here through targeted performance-based tax incentives.

“We are reviewing a lot of regulations and embedding economic impact analysis into our policymaking to ensure that we invest in the vibrancy of our city and continue to attract and retain residents, workers and businesses.”

Advancing together

According to Hubbard, partnerships sit at the core of the chamber’s impact. Its work is deeply integrated with stakeholders across the public and private spectrum – from city agencies and economic development offices to financial institutions, universities and nonprofit organizations.

“Our partnerships with such key companies as Events DC reflect our mission to build this inclusive and connected business community that helps drive our city forward,” she says.

“As the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, Events DC is a long-standing partner that helps strengthen the business infrastructure that supports our city’s entrepreneurs and our employers. These partnerships really all demonstrate how aligned leadership can turn challenges into these opportunities.”

As for the next phase of the DC Chamber of Commerce, Hubbard’s message is crystal clear: the city is open for business. The ability to connect local and global markets, combined with the city’s strategic location and diverse economy, makes it an increasingly attractive destination.

“International work is really part of our DNA,” Hubbard insists. “We want to make sure investors, CEOs, chambers across the world and other companies know that there’s never been a better time to invest in DC.”