[PHOTOS & SUMMARY] Walk to Washington 2020

The 2020 Walk to Washington, New Jersey's Biggest Business Networking Event, Welcomes A New Era with New Rules

Guests Express Support for Changes Made to The N.J. Chamber's Iconic Event

2019 Walk to Washing Reception

Guests at the Dinner included Gov. Murphy, Sens. Menendez and Booker, 11 House Members, and Amy Mansue, Recipient of the Business Leadership Award

The 83rd Annual Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner, on Feb. 27 and 28, 2020, carried more than 700 of New Jersey's business and government leaders on board the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's chartered Amtrak train to D.C.

It was the first Walk to Washington after the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce instituted a set of changes in response to a series of news reports about sexual harassment and assault occurring at events, in politics and at workplaces in New Jersey.

“Out of adversity comes opportunity, and this is an opportunity for a lot of people to stand up and make things better,” Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the N.J. Chamber, told NJBIZ. “We want to play a leadership role and to start, we want to ensure all guests feel welcome and respected."

Weighing in On the Changes

“This was the first time in eight years that I’ve taken the train that I felt that people were there to do business,” Patricia Teffenhart, executive director of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA). “There wasn’t an overindulgence in things that would not be part of your normal workday.”

“I have to say that things are markedly better,” Lisa Randall, commissioner at the Bergen County Improvement Authority and former GOP assemblywoman, told NJBIZ.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, who has taken the train since the late 1970s, told nj.com that she welcomed the changes. “It’s a good thing,” she said. “It’s good for women and good for men.”

The N.J. Chamber instituted the following changes, some with the assistance of the NJCASA. The N.J. Chamber:

adopted and distributed a new code of conduct for guests;
established a phone number to allow guests to report an incident of harassment;
increased security personnel;
prohibited hard alcohol on the train;

A Progress Report for the #MeToo Era

Members of Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg’s working group on sexual harassment even held a press conference on the train.

“The Chamber really had the unfortunate pleasure of being the first high-profile event to come right after” a series of disturbing news articles on sexual harassment in New Jersey, Teffenhart, a member of the working group, told the assembled members of the news media.

Capital Impact Group Vice President of Public Affairs Sabeen Masih, a member of the working group, said, “We’re seeing a change towards progress, and I think that will permeate the rest of politics.”

The 11-car train whisked through New Jersey, picking up guests along the way. Those boarding included state legislators, CEOs, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders who walked the train's aisle chatting and exchanging business cards. They discussed tax policy, infrastructure investment, ways to stimulate economic growth, and the very serious topic of eliminating misogyny in state government and beyond.

When the train reached the nation's capital, guests gathered at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel for networking receptions and the Congressional Dinner featuring Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 11 of the 12 members of New Jersey’s House representatives.

Gov. Murphy, who recently signed a package of bills designed to combat misogyny in government and in the private sector, addressed the issue in his keynote address.

“The culture of Trenton which allowed misogyny to take root became a protective blanket for some,” Murphy said. “A blanket that no one should be excused to wrap themselves in anymore.”

2020 02 27 Amy Mansue Business Award Recipient

Honoree Amy Mansue to Dinner Audience: ‘To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required’

At the Congressional Dinner, the N.J. Chamber presented its 2020 Thomas H. Kean Sr. Business Leadership Award to Amy Mansue for her professional accomplishments and her distinguished service to New Jersey. Mansue is executive vice president and chief experience officer for RWJBarnabas Health and former CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital.

“Those of us who know Amy are well aware that her accomplishments cannot be measured by policy successes,” N.J. Chamber Board Chair Linda Bowden told the crowd. “They cannot be measured by administrative achievements, but, rather, her passion to help the elderly, the sick and those with developmental disabilities that transformed RWJ Barnabas and Children’s Specialized Hospital into a beacon of hope for thousands of children and families.”

Mansue was visibly moved by the honor, and used her time at the podium to drive home a point.

“I grew up as an only child from two public school teachers who loved hard and fast and (were) trying to make sure that you always knew that you had a bigger responsibility than what you thought you did,” she said. “You need to care for others, you need to be present. You need to make sure you understand that it’s not always what you see, but you had to dig one layer deeper.

“And, I think this year, we learned that one layer deeper is to make sure that everybody has a seat at the table. We have a long way to go to make sure that happens.”

Mansue challenged the hushed audience at the Congressional Dinner.

“I think about the passage, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” she said. “We sit here today with much privilege. We sit here today with great opportunity, and I accept this award, not for myself, but for all the people that blazed the trail before me - men and women.

“And most importantly, I would challenge each of us stand ready to listen, to help and to care because that will make us better people and a better state.”

A special thank you to JCP&L, Walk to Washington's premier sponsor.