Business for America launches new initiative to rebuild trust “Across the Aisle”

At a time of deepening political polarization, Business for America will host Across the Aisle: How Leaders Find Common Ground in a Divided Era, a high-level event bringing together members of Congress and business leaders on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, near Capitol Hill.

This two-hour live program is presented in partnership with The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) and the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC). It will feature top voices from government, business, and public affairs exploring how cross-sector collaboration can advance bipartisan solutions and rebuild civic trust.

Headlining the event are U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), two prominent members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus who embody a spirit of principled collaboration across party lines.

A second panel will feature GSPM alumni—U.S. Representative Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), former Maryland State Senator Chris Shank (R), and Tiffany Waddell, director of government relations at the National Governors Association—for a candid conversation on the lessons of public service, the realities of bipartisan leadership, and the role of business in strengthening civic collaboration.

Brand leadership will also take center stage as Johnsonville Sausage shares the story of its “Keep It Juicy” marketing campaign—a bold effort to reduce polarization and rebuild social connections through storytelling and humor. The case study highlights how brands can contribute meaningfully to social cohesion while staying authentic and engaging.

In a panel moderated by Doug Pinkham, former CEO of the Public Affairs Council, senior leaders in corporate government affairs and public policy from Cummins, International Paper, and Salesforce will explore how the business community can foster bipartisanship, build strategic coalitions, and support effective governance across ideological lines.

“This event is a call to action,” said Sarah Bonk, founder and CEO at Business for America. “In a time of growing division, we believe the business community has a powerful role to play as a stabilizing force—helping to incentivize bipartisanship, restore trust, and support real solutions in Washington D.C and beyond.”