What began as a handful of concerned citizens in Seattle has grown into a network of more than 300 business and civic leaders around the United States working in a unique way to reduce global poverty. 

National Network

In January of 2004, a 15-member delegation from Seattle went to Washington, D.C. to meet with high-level officials in the administration and in Congress, including former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, former National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Richard Lugar, former Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, and former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios. Every meeting confirmed that IGD was filling a void and that a strong national voice of business leaders was urgently needed to elevate global poverty reduction as a top U.S. priority. These discussions inspired IGD to expand our membership beyond Seattle and build a national network of influential opinion leaders.

National Summit

IGD will host a National Summit every two to three years that will shape our action agenda and energize our National Network to engage in advocacy efforts. The inaugural Summit took place June 14 & 15, 2006 in Washington D.C. and was co-chaired by former Secretaries of State Colin Powell & Madeleine Albright. The 2006 National Summit brought together some of America's leading business executives and civic leaders to engage with top policymakers, including President Bush and high-ranking administration officials, to discuss and debate the role that each sector should play in reducing global poverty.

Partner eligibility

Individuals eligible to join IGD's National Network include regional and national opinion leaders, the majority of whom will be current CEOs or senior executives of recognized corporations. Former elected officials, foundation executives, retired military leaders, heads of business organizations, university presidents and deans, and former CEOs are also eligible. Nonprofit leaders, consultants and current elected officials may serve as advisors to IGD, but do not qualify to become partners. Membership in IGD's National Network is by invitation only.