Leadership Now Project Launches Visionary Business Plan for America's Future

On May 11, 2026, the Leadership Now Project unveiled its much-anticipated Business Plan for America during its Annual Summit titled "A Roadmap for America's Next Chapter." This initiative, developed by a coalition of centrist business leaders, aims to address pressing challenges faced by Americans today. The comprehensive policy agenda is designed to promote growth, innovation, and opportunity across the nation.

The Business Plan for America is a compelling response to recent electoral outcomes, reflecting the public's desire for economic reform and trust in government. In a time characterized by political polarization, the initiative recognizes that a thriving business environment is essential for a nation that works for all citizens. Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO of Leadership Now, emphasized that this plan captures insights from business professionals and experts across various sectors, forming a strategic framework for enhancing U.S. competitiveness and fostering prosperity.

Collaborative Efforts

The creation of the Business Plan was a collaborative effort involving input from hundreds of business advocates, state chapters of Leadership Now, elected officials, policy analysts, and academic institutions. This broad collaboration ensures that multiple perspectives are represented, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive and effective plan. Central to its premise is the belief that aligning capabilities across sectors can effectively tackle America's most pressing issues.

Among the focal points of the Business Plan are policies addressing artificial intelligence, immigration reform, energy sustainability, tax restructuring, global competitiveness, and the rule of law. Leadership Now has committed to evolving this plan, with version 1.0 serving as a starting point for future enhancements that will also delve into budget considerations, healthcare, education, and the overall effectiveness of government.

Summit Highlights

The Summit featured a roster of influential speakers, including Senator Elissa Slotkin and Governors Josh Shapiro and Andy Beshear, who engaged in discussions surrounding the plan's core policies. Notably, the financial industry was represented by Tom Florsheim, Jr., CEO of Weyco Group, and Jonathan Frankle, Chief AI Scientist at Databricks. Additionally, Simon Johnson, the 2024 Nobel Laureate in economics, contributed valuable insights into contemporary economic challenges.

Highlighting the importance of education and the next generation of business leaders, the MBA Policy Challenge was launched as part of the summit's events. This initiative invited MBA students from various universities to propose innovative solutions to enhance governmental support for economic development. The competition culminated with Duke University’s team winning the $50,000 award for their proposal on modernizing grid infrastructure.

Call to Action

Jeff Raikes, a member of Leadership Now and contributor to the Business Plan, articulated that this initiative serves as a call to action for business leaders to engage in cross-sector collaboration directed toward building an agenda that advances America’s collective interests. By adopting a long-term vision and approach to interact with government, business leaders can help overcome division and foster economic progress for all.

To access the full overview of the Business Plan for America and accompanying policy papers, visit businessplanforamerica.org. The Leadership Now Project continues to advocate for democracy as a cornerstone for economic vitality and stability, uniting business leaders nationwide to drive impactful solutions for the future.

As we look ahead, the Leadership Now Project’s commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration will play a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of America, ensuring prosperity is shared equitably among its citizens.