The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce that David Rubenstein will interview Ken Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director, General Catalyst and Author of Equal to the Task: A Life Forged Between America’s Promise and Its Truth. The lunch will be held on Friday, December 4, 2026. The reception will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the lunch and program at 12:00 p.m., ending promptly at 1:30 p.m.
In Equal to the Task, former American Express Chairman and CEO Ken Chenault shares the story of his remarkable life and career. Born in 1951, when segregation was still written into law, Chenault rose to become the third African American CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Drawing on his upbringing, his mentors, and his years leading an iconic company, he reflects on the values that guided him and why they matter as the country wrestles with its identity and future.
Chenault spent 37 years at American Express and steadily rose through the organization ultimately serving as its Chairman and CEO, leading the company through periods of technological transformation, national crises, and profound economic change. Rather than settling into retirement after stepping down, he joined the venture capital firm General Catalyst as Chairman and Managing Director, where he is dedicated to building enduring companies that harness innovation for both profit and purpose.
Chenault co-founded SkillsRight (formerly OneTen), a nonprofit that brings together leading companies and CEOs to expand career opportunities for workers without four-year degrees. He serves on the boards of Airbnb, Berkshire Hathaway, and the Council on Foreign Relations, among other nonprofit organizations. Chenault holds a BA in history from Bowdoin College and a JD from Harvard Law School.
