Dulles Chamber Hosts 'Shark Tank' Session With Local Business Leaders

HERNDON, VA — Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a "Shark Tank" session Wednesday where local non-profits and community support groups pitched ways business leaders and elected officials could become involved in their efforts.

The lunchtime session and discussion followed the Chamber's Innovate Conference that took place Wednesday morning at the Crowne Plaza Herndon. The conference focused on how business leaders could support the development of the future workforce, with an eye on health care, technology and trades, and STEM learning.

The idea for the "Shark Tank" session came about during the planning stages of the conference. As organizers were choosing topics, members came forward with suggestions about organizations or initiatives that could solve some of the problems that were being identified.

"We said, 'Let's talk about those ideas," Chamber President John Boylan said, following the session. "Maybe there's an ability to fund them, maybe there's an ability to connect with the Chamber. We'll take these ideas, and probably come up with some different committees and maybe some new programs to try to draw more folks."

Shark Tank speakers included:

• Vern Simmons Cassidy & Associates, HCBU
• Marc Matthie, a teacher at Chantilly High School
• Kim Young, vice president of business development at America's Charities. The Chantilly-based non-profit helps charities raise sustainable funds through the workplace.
• Michael Batt, who leads the talent team at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
• Angela Inzerillo, co-founder and market strategist with Impact Business Solutions.

Attendees who participated in the discussion included elected officials from the Town of Herndon; Fairfax and Loudoun counties; and representatives from local school districts and community support organizations.

The Chamber will create an online resource containing all of the solutions put forward during the "Shark Tank" session, according to Boylan.