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

Meet and Greet Reception

Featuring:  His Excellency Zavqi Zavqizoda

The Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United States of America

Washington, DC

September 2026

 

Meet and Greet Reception

Featuring:  Her Excellency Elsie Sia Kanza

The Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United States of America

Washington, DC

September 2026

 

Election 2026 Breakfast Briefing for Diplomats and WIPG Members
Hosted by:  The Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group and the World Trade Center, DC

Washington, DC
October, 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM WIPG MEMBERS AND PARTNERS

The Future of GovCon Growth:  Beyond Generative AI

Hosted by:  JSchaus & Associates
August 19, 2026
RSVP

 

Series Part 1: How to Read a Contract Before You Bid It
Hosted by:  JSchaus & Associates
August 25, 2026
RSVP

 

Doing Business With DoW + The Intel Community
Hosted by:  JSchaus & Associates
August 27, 2026

RSVP

 

American University’s School of International Service (SIS):  Project Management for International Development
Hosted by:  American University
September 1 to December 1, 2026
RSVP

 

Series Part 2: Bidding to Win AND to Execute
Hosted by:  JSchaus & Associates
September 8, 2026
RSVP

 

Series Part 3: Task Order Strategy on IDIQs and GWACs
Hosted by:  JSchaus & Associates
September 22, 2026
RSVP

 

American University’s School of International Service (SIS):  Trade Today – Measuring and Assessing Risk in Global Value Chains
Hosted by:  American University
September 22 to October 27, 2026
RSVP

 

The US Supreme Court:  A Conversation with Adam Liptak, Chief of Legal Affairs, New York Times
Hosted by:  American University
September 28, 2026
RSVP:  Please contact Professor Jeff Kahn, Director of the Program on Law & Government, AU Washington College of Law, at jkahn@american.edu.

WIPG Breakfast Series on Artificial Intelligence with      Mr. Hubert Han, Counsellor (Digital)                      Embassy of the Republic of Singapore to the                      United States of America

Hubert Han is a Singapore Foreign Service Officer on secondment at the Ministry of Communications and Information, where he leads a team driving innovative and sustainable growth in the digital economy.

 

In spring 2024 Hubert moved to Washington DC as Digital Counsellor at the Singapore Embassy, Singapore’s first diplomatic post focused on digital technologies.

 

Hubert was previously First Secretary (Political) at the Singapore Embassy in Beijing from 2019 to 2021, where he was the lead policy officer on technology issues, China’s political economy, and US-China relations.

 

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford.

 

NEW MEMBER PROFILE

Aarron Balfour                                                                  Director of Business Development                              Monarc Construction, Inc.

As Director of Business Development at Monarc Construction, Aarron is focused on creating strategic partnerships and identifying opportunities that drive long-term growth for both their clients and their organization. With more than 10 years of business development experience in the construction industry, Aarron has built a reputation for connecting market opportunities with effective project delivery through strong relationships and a client-focused approach.

 

Monarc Construction is a commercial general contractor serving the DMV region, delivering a diverse portfolio of commercial projects. Their ability to self-perform key trades allows them to maintain greater control over quality, schedule, and execution, resulting in a dependable reputation and successful outcomes for their clients.

 

His professional focus is on cultivating relationships with owners, developers, architects, and industry partners to create strategic value and support project success from concept through completion. He is passionate about understanding client goals, aligning resources to meet project objectives, and fostering partnerships built on trust, transparency, and performance.

 

Aarron welcomes opportunities to connect with professionals across the commercial real estate, development, architecture, and construction communities to explore how they can work together to bring exceptional projects to life.

Jeff Berkowitz                                                                    CEO                                                                                    Delve

Jeff Berkowitz is the founder and CEO of Washington’s preeminent competitive intelligence and risk advisory firm, Delve. Delve helps heavily regulated and highly scrutinized sectors − including energy and utilities, life sciences, financial services and beyond − anticipate and mitigate public affairs challenges.

 

Recognized by POLITICO as an “opposition research and policy ace” and “one of the best-known policy and opposition researchers in D.C.” by The Daily Beast, Berkowitz previously served as the Research Director of the Republican National Committee (RNC), where he served three tours under four chairmen across five election cycles. At the RNC, Berkowitz helped to craft the GOP response to current events and long-term initiatives, ranging from Supreme Court nominations to Obamacare to the Dodd-Frank financial regulations.

 

Berkowitz also served on staff or advised on five major presidential campaigns and has shepherded research and messaging operations at The White House, the U.S. Department of State, and several prominent private sector and non-profit organizations.

 

As a member of the Forbes Business Council and a leader in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Berkowitz provides both commentary and guidance to businesses and industries of all sizes. He also sits on the board of the America’s Future Foundation, a nationwide network fostering the next generation of liberty-minded leaders.

 

To interview or invite Jeff Berkowitz to speak at your event, please email Kevin Norton at kevin@delvedc.com.

Trenton Marsolek                                                              Senior Manager, Programs                                                  US-China Business Council

Trenton Marsolek is a senior programs manager at the US-China Business Council, where he leads member briefings, policy discussions, diplomatic engagements, and other signature events that connect American companies with key stakeholders in the US-China relationship.

 

Before joining USCBC, Trenton spent three years at the US-China Education Trust, advancing from intern to program officer and special assistant to Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch. Earlier in his career he held internships with the Institute for China-America Studies, the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence, and supported student-led, China-focused initiatives through Global China Connection and the US-China Strong Foundation.

 

Trenton’s interest in US-China relations began in 2015 when he received a scholarship from the US Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth program, during which he studied Mandarin in Sichuan Province. He is proficient in Mandarin and earned a master’s degree in Chinese politics, foreign policy, and international relations from Tsinghua University and a bachelor’s in international studies from American University.

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