Washington Business Hall of Famers and Benefit Just ‘Get It’

“I had no idea that when I crossed paths with Junior Achievement’s Entrepreneurship Summit in the summer of 2016, that it lead me on a journey that would give me a clearer vision of not necessarily what I wanted to be, but who I wanted to be. JA seems to be the only organization that truly ‘gets it,’” said JA Alum and Student CEO Kurien Thomas at the 30th annual Washington Business Hall of Fame benefiting Junior Achievement of Greater Washington held in late November at the National Building Museum.

Dubbed the “Academy Awards of Business” for the DC region, approximately 1,200 attended the black-tie event which was founded by Greater Washington Board of Trade, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington (JAGW), and Washingtonian magazine.

At this year’s event, four Laureates were inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame and honored for their professional and philanthropic contributions to the Greater Washington region:

• Michael N. Harreld – Immediate Past President, PNC Bank, Greater Washington Area
• Philip D. M. de Picciotto – Founder and President, Octagon, Inc.
• Gracia C. Martore – Retired President & CEO, TEGNA Inc.
• Christopher J. Nassetta – President & CEO, Hilton

They join over 100 laureates, all of whom have shaped the regional landscape and consistently demonstrated the following characteristics: outstanding business accomplishments; visionary, innovative leadership; integrity and strong core values; and passionate community engagement.

A record of more than $1.46 million was raised for Junior Achievement of Greater Washington with proceeds benefiting JA’s innovative financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship K-12 programs designed to inspire the next generation to navigate their own path to the American dream.

*Images courtesy Washington Business Hall of Fame