The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.
We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming events, which you can learn about below. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording, so feel free to sign up even if you can’t participate live.
Driving the Economy: The Essential and Undervalued Work of Truckers
Wednesday, March 19, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDT, on Zoom
A career in trucking was once considered a pathway to the middle class, but the quality of jobs in the industry has steeply declined in recent decades, including lower wages, higher turnover, limited benefits and protections due to misclassification, and predatory leasing arrangements that saddle truckers with debt. All of this is in spite of the fact that truckers work year-round — day and night, often in hazardous conditions — to keep our economy moving. What can we do to make work better in this key pillar of our economy and supply chain?
Join us on Zoom on Wednesday, March 19, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, for our next virtual event, “Driving the Economy: The Essential and Undervalued Work of Truckers,” to explore the challenges truckers face and ideas for improving the returns on the essential work they do.
This conversation features opening remarks from Desiree Wood (REAL Women in Trucking, Inc.), followed by a panel discussion with Robin Hutcheson (Hutcheson Advisory), Rebecca King (Getman, Sweeney & Dunn, PLL), Michael Muñoz (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy), Steve Viscelli (University of Pennsylvania), and moderator Alana Semuels (TIME Magazine).
Advancing Innovation and Fairness in Small Business Finance
Monday, March 24, 3:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Ten years ago, when the Responsible Business Lending Coalition was founded, the nation was experiencing dramatic changes in the small business financing landscape, stemming in part from market adjustments after the Great Recession. Ten years later, the forces driving change are accelerating. The growth in new technologies, including AI; the aftermath of the COVID pandemic; and unprecedented growth in new small businesses starting are only some of the factors shaping the market. Yet the challenge remains: how do we harness the power of technology and innovation to drive greater prosperity and inclusion for small business owners, while ensuring that financial products support small businesses rather than undermine them?
Join us for “Advancing Innovation and Fairness in Small Business Finance” on March 24 to hear and share perspectives from lenders, investors, policymakers, small business owners, and advocates about how to build a financing market that truly works for small businesses. This event — which is taking place online and at the Aspen Institute’s Washington DC office (by invite only) — will feature three moderated conversations highlighting key trends, opportunities and challenges in the small business financing market, followed by a reception that will provide the opportunity for attendees to explore this issue in greater detail with fellow stakeholders.
Employee Ownership Ideas Forum 2025 — From Workers to Owners
Wednesday and Thursday, April 9-10, Washington DC and online
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing are pleased to announce the third Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, a two-day in-person and virtual event in Washington DC.
This year’s forum, “From Workers to Owners”, will highlight how the experience of ownership changes the reality of work for workers. The forum will highlight companies in a range of business sectors and explore how employee ownership fits their business strategy and approach to business leadership. We will also discuss the particular role employee ownership can play in supporting business success, and we will consider the role institutional investors can play in improving capital access for employee ownership conversions and expansions.
Click here to secure an all-day pass,* or sign up for individual webinars below (all times EDT):
Day One — April 9, 2025
Owning It: Experiences from the Front Lines of Employee Ownership
Fireside Chat: The Ownership Advantage
Securing the Future of America’s Critical Industries
The Ownership Agenda: A Conversation with Policymakers
Day Two — April 10, 2025
Five Big Ideas for Employee Ownership
The Future of the American Worker
Bridging the Gap: Institutional Investment and Employee Ownership
Strengthening Small Business through Employee Ownership
Industry Spotlight: Health Care
As always, we will have a variety of leaders with practical experience together with a bipartisan set of policymakers and experts to share their views of how employee ownership can drive economic resilience in communities across the country. The forum will bring together members of Congress and their staff, government officials, practitioners, researchers, policy analysts, investors, philanthropic leaders, and the leaders of employee-owned companies.
Register: as.pn/eoforum25
*In-person registration is now closed for Day 1, and spots are running out fast for Day 2. There is no limit to the number of virtual guests we can accommodate.
We have a number of other exciting events in the works. Join our mailing list or connect on social media for updates and information.
External Events and Speaking Engagements
EOP staff are frequently called upon to lend their expertise to a variety of critical conversations and settings. To invite one of our experts to speak at an event, please send us an email at eop.program@aspeninstit
Stay Tuned
We have a number of other exciting events in the works. Join our mailing list or connect on social media for updates and information.
April 9-10: 2025 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted in partnership with the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
April 30: Working and Homeless in America — A Book Talk with Brian Goldstone
May 21: Shared Success — Job Quality and Small Business Prosperity
Learn More
The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on publications, blog posts, events, and other announcements.
