The Aspen Institute announced today that Alastair Fitzpayne has been appointed director of its Future of Work Initiative. Most recently, Fitzpayne served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and will assume the role on February 27, 2017.
The Future of Work Initiative is focused on several key objectives: first, to promote a greater understanding of the changing nature of work and the growing independent workforce, including the rise of the on-demand economy; second, to consider how to make benefits more flexible and portable to better meet the needs of modern workers; and third, to identify ways to make capitalism work better for business and the American worker.
In accepting this position, Fitzpayne said, “I am excited to be joining the Aspen Institute and the Future of Work Initiative and to have the opportunity to work on issues that are central to our economy’s long-term success. Last year, the project made important contributions to the debate around ways that we can update policies to match the changes that are taking place in our workforce, and I look forward to building on that success.”
“The Future of Work Initiative has already inspired an important conversation about the policies the US economy needs to adapt effectively to the rapid changes that are transforming it,” said Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson. He added: “Senator Warner and Governor Daniels have shown that bipartisan solutions are possible and, for that reason, we are delighted to have Al Fitzpayne directing this program. Al brings a wealth of front-line experience in the policy world, and we look forward to his leadership, his collegiality, and his proven ability to focus attention on critical economic issues.”
Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Future of Work Initiative said: “Now more than ever, it is important that American workers and businesses have the tools to respond to the changing nature of work and the seismic shifts in our economy. Aspen’s Future of Work Initiative provides a valuable platform for these critical conversations, and Al Fitzpayne is the perfect director to lead the Initiative at this time. He is incredibly well-respected on both sides of the aisle for his policy and communications experience. He has served at the highest levels of both the executive and legislative branches, and has the expertise to help shape the development of a robust agenda on these issues. I am excited to work closely with Al in his new role.”
“Al’s extensive experience on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue working on some of the most important economic policy issues of our time, coupled with his demonstrated ability to work with both sides of the aisle, makes him uniquely well-suited to lead this critical project,” said Future of Work Co-Chair John Bridgeland.
In addition to serving as Chief of Staff at HHS, Fitzpayne also held a number of senior roles at the Department of the Treasury during the Obama Administration, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs. He has also served on Capitol Hill, in both the Senate and the House, as an economic advisor to Sen. Evan Bayh and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, respectively. He has also worked at the Office of Management and Budget and Abt Associates, a public policy consulting firm.
Fitzpayne holds a BA from Vassar College and an MPP from the University of California-Berkeley.
