Your Primary Professional Network in Washington, DC

 

WHY WE ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR CAREER

 

A November 2011 article in The Economist ("Contact Sports") stated that "in the rarefied world of the corporate board, a good network matters."  The article went on to mention that executives with 400 contacts are, on average, paid 6 percent more than those with 200.  For non-executives, the gap is 14 percent. 

The Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group, LLC (WIPG) is the premier organization that introduces mid- to high-level professionals in the DC Metropolitan area to newly appointed Ambassadors from around the world, as well as newly elected Members of Congress.  We hold monthly networking events as a means of providing professionals extended exposure and access to key policy makers in the city.

 

WHY THERE IS A NEED FOR OUR SERVICES

As the demand for strategic partnerships and stronger networks with private and public sector groups continues to grow, it is clear that a need exists for DC-based professionals to expand their contacts among other key policy makers, business executives, political and community leaders. 

In the current economic times, DC-based professionals will need to depend on such contacts to obtain valuable information in the most cost-effective manner to ensure the best decisions are made when carrying out their business plans and policy goals. 

With the election of new members in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, the demand to interact with the Freshman Class of this Congress becomes even more apparent. WIPG can help you develop and organize Congressional Meet and Greets, staff briefings, and fly-in activities specifically designed for your needs that would allow for the continued growth of your contacts in Congress at very little cost.

 

 

WHY WE CAN BE A USEFUL RESOURCE FOR YOUR NEXT JOB

Networking is the best way to find your next job, especially since the vast majority of job openings are never advertised.  They are usually filled via word of mouth.  Unfortunately, many job seekers are hesitant to take advantage of networking opportunities because they feel it is a waste of time, nor do they recognize the value of making key necessary contacts.  But networking is not a useless excercise—it’s about building relationships. As you look for a new job, these relationships can provide much-needed feedback, advice, and support.

 

Networking may sound difficult, or even intimidating—especially when it comes to
finding a job or asking for help—but it doesn’t have to be. Networking can be
rewarding, and even fun.  It can be a useful tool even if you are new to the DC area and do not know that many people. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Private Breakfast Briefing for Diplomats and WIPG Members

"How to Effectively Lobby Congress and the Administration"

Hosted by WIPG and the World Trade Center, DC

Featuring:  Panel to be announced

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Washington, DC

 

Private Reception for

His Excellency Tarlie Francis

The Ambassador of Grenada to the United States of America

Hosted by WIPG and the World Trade Center, DC

Monday, March 24, 2025

Washington, DC

WIPG Professional Networking Reception with His Excellency Samuel Hinds, the Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the United States of America

Samuel Archibald Anthony Hinds is a Guyanese politician who was Prime Minister of Guyana almost continuously from 1992 to 2015. He also briefly served as President of Guyana in 1997. He was awarded Guyana's highest national award, the Order of Excellence (O.E.) in 2011.

 

He first became prime minister under Cheddi Jagan in 1992, following the October 1992 election, which was won by the People's Progressive Party (PPP) welcoming Hinds and others (Civics) to work with them. When Jagan died in March 1997, Hinds became President himself, and appointed Jagan's widow Janet as prime minister. For the December 1997 general elections, the PPP/C nominated Hinds as candidate for prime minister while Janet Jagan was the candidate for the presidency. Following the election, Janet Jagan was elected president and re-appointed Hinds as prime minister.

 

Prior to this, Hinds worked for the Alcan founded bauxite operation which was nationalized in 1971 rising to Vice President for Product Quality and Research and Development. By education, Hinds is a licensed and qualified chemical engineer, having graduated from the University of New Brunswick.

 

In August 1999, President Janet Jagan decided to resign, and temporarily replaced Hinds with Bharrat Jagdeo; Jagdeo thus became president upon her resignation, and he reappointed Hinds as prime minister. After the re-election of the government in the 28 August 2006 election, Hinds was sworn in as prime minister again in early September.

 

He was re-nominated as the 2011 prime ministerial candidate for the PPP in October 2011, although there were suggestions that he might step aside.[citation needed] After PPP/C candidate Donald Ramotar was elected president, Hinds was sworn in as prime minister again on 5 December 2011.

 

Following the opposition's victory in the May 2015 general election, Hinds was succeeded as prime minister by Moses Nagamootoo on 20 May 2015.

Sam Hinds is honored in the scientific name of a species of lizard, Kaieteurosaurus hindsi.

 

Hinds has served as the Guyanese Ambassador to the United States since July 2021. He presented his credentials on 7 July 2021.

NEW MEMBER PROFILE

Welton O'Neall, III                                                              International Security Professional                                    Forge Group, LLC

Welton O’Neal III is a self-described International Affairs Professional. Currently, he is
a Department of Defense contractor within the Secretary AirForce International Affairs.
In this capacity he is a Senior Policy Analyst. Prior to this he was a contractor at Army
International as a Foreign Affairs Analyst in Army. Before working at the Department of
Defense, he was a Foreign Affairs Officer at the Department of State within the
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau.


From 2016 to 2020, Welton lived in Malawi. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer from
2016-2019. He served as a Project Coordinator and Advisor in Zomba, Malawi for a
PEPFAR funded project, DREAMS. After his Peace Corps service, he worked as a
consultant for UNFPA in Lilongwe, Malawi.


Welton possesses an M.A in International Affairs with a focus on Global Health and
International Security from Seton Hall University; M.S in Public Policy with a focus on
Economics; B.A from Morehouse College with a major in Political Science. Welton also
studied abroad in the Spring 2008 at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Welton has
studied Spanish, Mandarin, and Chichewa (Nyanja).

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