eNetworking event for Mason students
Join us for a special series of virtual networking events with some of Arlington’s leading “Movers & Shakers!”. Grab lunch, take a seat and log-on for a unique virtual opportunity. We’re keeping these groups small so sign up on Mason360 to request to participate with the featured guest(s) of your choice from the list. Our featured guests will share their stories, offer career advice, and answer your networking questions.
Registering for the event is easy! Scroll down to see which “Mover & Shaker” you would like to network with. Click on the registration link and register for the event through Mason360. If you have questions please contact the University Life Arlington office at ularl@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8984.
Movers & Shakers @ Noon with Congressman Don Beyer
Mover & Shaker: Congressman Don Beyer
When: Friday, October 9
Time: 12:00 PM
RSVP: http://cglink.me/r837318
Congressman Don Beyer is serving his third term as the U.S. Representative from Virginia’s 8th District, representing Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and parts of Fairfax County. He serves on the House Committees on Ways and Means and Science Space and Technology, and is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Climate Change Task Force. He was the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1998, and was Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein under President Obama. Rep. Beyer’s signature work as lieutenant governor included advocacy for Virginians with disabilities and ensuring protections for Virginia’s most vulnerable populations as the Commonwealth reformed its welfare system in the mid-1990s. Rep. Beyer was Virginia’s Democratic nominee for governor in 1997. After leaving office, Rep. Beyer spent fourteen years as Chair of Jobs for Virginia Graduates, a highly successful high school dropout prevention program, and was active for a decade on the board of the D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. As Chair of the Virginia Economic Recovery Commission, he helped pass permanent pro-business reforms and was co-founder of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. President Obama nominated Rep. Beyer to serve as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein in 2009. He used his position to advocate for stricter sanctions to compel Iran to begin nuclear disarmament discussions. As Ambassador, Rep. Beyer was integral to US Department of Justice efforts to halt the abuses of Swiss bank secrecy by wealthy Americans. Rep. Beyer has spent four decades building his family business in Northern Virginia after a summer job at a car dealership in 1974. He is a graduate of Williams College and Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. He was named a Presidential Scholar by President Lyndon Johnson. Rep. Beyer has four children and two grandchildren. He and his wife Megan live in Alexandria, Virginia.
Movers & Shakers @ Noon with Anika Kwinana
Mover & Shaker: Anika Kwinana
When: Friday, October 16
Time: 12:00 PM
RSVP: http://cglink.me/r842940
Anika Kwinana (@anikakwinana) is a passionate community advocate as displayed in her work as an organizer and arts manager. Anika is a national education manager at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Chair of the Arlington County Commission for the Arts, Treasurer of the Arts Administrators of Color Network, a Vice Chair for the Arlington Public Schools Advisory Council for Teaching and Learning, Alumni Liaison for the Arts Management Alumni Working Group at George Mason University, and a founding Arlington for Justice. She holds an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University, an M.A. Public Anthropology from American University, a postgraduate degree in Management from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, and a B.A. in Political Science from Howard.
Movers & Shakers @ Noon with Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr.
Mover & Shaker: Julius D. “JD” Spain Sr.
When: Friday, October 23
Time: 12:00 PM
RSVP: http://cglink.me/r852744
Julius D. Spain, Sr. is a combat veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps for more than 26 years before retiring in December 2016. Upon retirement, Mr. Spain was presented with one of the nation’s highest military honors, the Legion of Merit, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements to the United States of America. He was also recognized in the congressional record of the U.S. Senate for his remarkable contributions. During his military service Mr. Spain had the distinct honor and privilege of serving on a four-year diplomatic assignment in Brussels, Belgium at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a one-year congressional fellowship in the United States Senate, a senior legislative advisor in the Pentagon and a federal investigator for the U.S. government. Currently, Mr. Spain works as a Consultant in acquisition intelligence.
In 2019, Mr. Spain was a political candidate for Virginia House of Delegates.
Mr. Spain earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Maryland, University College and completed advance studies in legislative affairs from Georgetown University, Government Affairs Institute.
Throughout his career, Mr. Spain excelled and remain involved in civic affairs both in the United States and while living aboard. He is currently the regional vice president of 13 branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) located in Northern Virginia. He also flourishes as the president of the Arlington branch of the NAACP. As the leader of his branch, Mr. Spain believes in the NAACP’s core mission and objectives as the nation’s oldest civil rights organization which is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority citizens of the United States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.
Over the years, Mr. Spain has developed an expertise in managing program operations in the highest levels of both executive and legislative branches of government. He has worked tirelessly among a variety of demographics in the community to lead phenomenally successful community service and civic engagement platforms.
Movers & Shakers @ Noon with Matt De Ferranti
Mover & Shaker: Matt De Ferranti
When: Friday, October 23
Time: 12:00 PM
RSVP: http://cglink.me/r842965
Matt de Ferranti’s career, first as a teacher in a low-income community in Houston and later as a lawyer, has been dedicated to helping people build better lives for themselves and their children. As an attorney, Matt worked on land use and economic development issues for local governments. He subsequently served as an advocate for economic and educational equity at Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, and the Education Trust. Matt was elected to the Arlington County Board in November 2018.
Matt began serving on Arlington County’s Housing Commission in 2013. In 2014, he was appointed to the Arlington Public Schools Budget Advisory Council, where he served as Chair in 2017-2018. Matt also has served on the Joint Facilities Advisory Commission, which brings Arlington County, Arlington Public Schools, and the community together to plan for our future.
A 2015 Leadership Arlington graduate, 2016 graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, and 2017 graduate of Arlington Neighborhood College, Matt grew up in neighboring McLean and lives in the Courthouse neighborhood.