The Aspen Institute

About this event

The decline of the American middle class and the frayed social contract has become an increasingly urgent topic, as our nation’s economic and social divisions fuel widespread discontent. With incomes stagnating and jobs that pay a living wage in sharp decline, anger and resentment are palpable. For America’s working families, the experience of work and wealth is intertwined in the daily challenges of survival: keeping a roof over one’s head, getting food on the table, paying the bills, and saving for the future. Join us for a panel discussion and reception where we will grapple with one of the biggest challenges facing our nation: how to restore widespread economic prosperity to families and communities all across America.

During the event we:
● Heard from key leaders about the important work they are doing and how it is moving forward
● Heard about the challenges and opportunities that are ahead for leaders working in this space
● Released a report that highlights key themes from the 2017 Economic Security Summit

This event was jointly hosted by the Economic Opportunities Program and the Financial Security Program.

Speakers

Alex Mazer, Founding Partner, Common Wealth  @ALEXMAZER

Alison Omens, Managing Director, JUST Capital @AlisonOmens

Andrea Levere, President, Prosperity Now @alevere

Sarah Keh, Vice President of Corporate Giving, Prudential Financial, Inc. @Prudential

Todd Greene, Executive Director, Atlanta University Center Consortium, Inc.@AUCConsortium

 Maureen Conway, Executive Director, The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program @conway_maureen

Ida Rademacher, Executive Director, The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program  @idarademacher

 Rhett Buttle, Senior Fellow,The Aspen Institute @rhettbuttle

Learn more

The Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) advances promising strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income Americans connect to and thrive in a changing economy. Over its 25 years of work, EOP has developed particular expertise in workforce training and education, microenterprise development and business ownership, financial services and asset building, and business practices that support quality jobs. EOP works to drive change by conducting evaluation and applied research to learn about effective practice in diverse contexts; facilitating leadership development and capacity-building initiatives that reach a broad network of local leaders; hosting cross-sector dialogue on key issues of economic security and opportunity; and producing public and private convenings and written products to share insights and engage broad audiences in the challenge of expanding economic opportunity in America.

The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program leverages human insights and entrepreneurial thinking to find policies, products, and services that deliver greater financial security for millions of Americans. We’re connecting the world’s best minds to find breakthrough solutions for America’s family financial security crisis. Through strategic convenings and dialogues, we provide a dedicated forum where experts in policy and banking work closely with academic and community leaders to strengthen the financial stability of American families.

Tweet with us

Join the conversation on Twitter by following @AspenWorkforce and @AspenFSP and tweeting with the hashtag #WorkandWealth.

Twitter Highlights

At @Prudential we believe that everybody should have the opportunity to achieve financial security. #WorkandWealth pic.twitter.com/JimOSmWvVD

— Aspen FSP (@AspenFSP) June 18, 2018

There’s huge interest from employers about the financial wellness of their employees. Leaders in all sectors are thinking about how to solve this problem says @idarademacher #WorkandWealth pic.twitter.com/eNnio9y2Zw

— Aspen FSP (@AspenFSP) June 18, 2018

"Fundamentally we believe that companies need more information on how and what they should be focused on, particularly on #WorkandWealth questions. The biggest thing the American people care about is how you treat your workers."–@AlisonOmens @AspenInstitute pic.twitter.com/5YaTi2Lf4s

— JUST Capital (@JustCapital) June 18, 2018

The people at the table having these conversations need to look like the people who are actually subject to having these types of #WorkandWealth challenges -Todd Greene pic.twitter.com/i4JTZ6vNWr

— Aspen FSP (@AspenFSP) June 18, 2018

“Low income people, when given the same structures and incentives as middle and higher people get all the time, can succeed at exactly the same rates.” @alevere #WorkandWealth pic.twitter.com/Uf3tdkSOrq

— Aspen FSP (@AspenFSP) June 18, 2018

Retirement has played out as a risk transfer from the corporation to the individual, largely in the form of the decline of the corporate pension plan @alexmazer #workandwealth

— Maureen Conway (@conway_maureen) June 18, 2018