Bentley University hosts a summit exploring the delicate balance of business responsibility, patriotism, and tech in America.
It was less a conference and more a collision of ideas. This week, 130 of America’s top CEOs, policymakers, and tech leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., for an invite-only leadership summit hosted by Bentley University — a bold meeting that tackled the three most charged forces shaping modern business: tariffs, trust, and technology.
Against a backdrop of political tension, trade disputes, and public skepticism toward corporate America, the event — dubbed The American Business Forum 2025 — aimed to answer one pressing question: Can business still be both profitable and patriotic?
A Meeting of Minds
Held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, the summit brought together executives from industries as diverse as finance, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Among the high-profile attendees were Mary Barra (GM), Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan Chase), Sundar Pichai (Google), and Ginni Rometty (IBM), alongside several rising startup founders representing the next generation of American leadership.
The event’s opening keynote, delivered by Bentley University President Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite, set the tone: “American business is at a crossroads — between profit and purpose, between innovation and responsibility. The decisions made in rooms like this will define not just the economy, but the nation’s identity.”
Tariffs Take Center Stage
One of the summit’s most heated panels focused on tariffs and trade, an issue that continues to divide corporate leaders. With U.S.-China trade tensions escalating once again, CEOs debated whether renewed tariffs could protect domestic industries or backfire by raising costs and disrupting supply chains.
Mary Barra warned that higher import taxes on components could hurt American manufacturing competitiveness, noting that “global supply chains can’t be untangled overnight.” Meanwhile, several smaller manufacturers argued that tariffs could finally level the playing field for U.S. producers long undercut by cheap imports.
“The future of American manufacturing depends on whether we can build self-sufficiency without self-sabotage,” one panelist quipped — a line that drew nods (and a few chuckles) across the room.
The Trust Deficit
Beyond economics, the conversation turned introspective. How much do Americans really trust big business anymore? Not much, according to recent studies — and the CEOs in attendance weren’t shying away from that fact.
In a striking session titled “The Trust Rebuild: Business in the Age of Skepticism,” JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon emphasized the need for transparency and action over PR spin. “People don’t distrust capitalism,” he said. “They distrust the people running it. It’s on us to prove that big business can still serve the public good.”
Several CEOs discussed initiatives around pay equity, sustainability, and community reinvestment, while others cautioned against over-promising on “corporate virtue” without measurable results. The consensus? Trust, once broken, must be earned through visible impact, not glossy mission statements.
Tech’s Tightrope
No modern leadership summit would be complete without a deep dive into technology’s double-edged role in society. As AI, automation, and data privacy reshape the American economy, CEOs grappled with how to balance progress with protection.
Google’s Sundar Pichai advocated for “ethical AI frameworks,” urging collaboration between the public and private sectors. Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts warned of rising digital vulnerabilities — both to businesses and national infrastructure.
One memorable moment came from a mid-sized tech founder who bluntly stated, “We can’t keep saying innovation is neutral. Technology always reflects the values of the people who build it — and the ones who fund it.” The line earned a rare standing ovation, underscoring how the tone of the event leaned less corporate, more philosophical.
Patriotism Meets Profit
Perhaps the most compelling theme throughout the summit was the growing desire to redefine patriotism in the corporate era. Bentley University framed the event around the idea that true patriotism in business means creating value for all — not just shareholders.
Executives discussed reshoring production, upskilling workers, and investing in sustainable technologies as ways to serve both national and economic interests. “Profit and patriotism don’t have to be rivals,” said Ginni Rometty. “They can — and must — coexist.”
The discussion resonated especially strongly with the younger founders in attendance, many of whom built their companies on values of transparency, local impact, and employee well-being. “The next generation of entrepreneurs isn’t just chasing IPOs,” said one participant. “We’re chasing integrity.”
The Bentley Factor
For Bentley University, the summit was both a reflection of its academic mission and a real-world exercise in leadership. Known for its focus on business ethics, data analytics, and sustainability, Bentley used the forum to bridge academia, industry, and policy in a single conversation.
Dr. Chrite summarized it best in his closing remarks: “Our goal is not to tell CEOs what to think — it’s to create a space where they can think differently.”
The university announced plans to publish a post-summit report summarizing key insights and recommendations for policymakers, highlighting actionable steps to balance economic competitiveness with ethical leadership.
Looking Ahead
As the summit concluded, one thing became clear: the American business landscape is evolving faster than ever, and the role of corporate leaders is no longer confined to profits or quarterly earnings. It now includes social trust, national responsibility, and moral imagination.
In an age where the public demands both innovation and accountability, the CEOs who gathered in D.C. seemed to agree on at least one truth — the future of capitalism depends on rebuilding trust and redefining purpose.
Or, as one attendee summed it up on their way out: “If patriotism is love of country, then leadership is love in action — and that’s what America needs most right now.”
