Leah Bitounis serves as Deputy Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and its Aspen Security Forum. The Aspen Strategy Group (ASG), is a policy program of the Aspen Institute that promotes resolutely nonpartisan dialogue on critical U.S. foreign policy and national security issues. It was conceived as a mediation forum during the Cold War, and it is still charting a vital course for bipartisan problem solving and dialogue in foreign policy. She and the ASG orchestrate various ongoing track II initiatives, the Aspen Security Forum, Global Leaders Series, and the Rising Leaders Program. Ms. Bitounis also manages the Aspen Ministers Forum, a global group of former foreign ministers founded and led by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Since joining the Institute in 2009, she has held many roles. Previously she served as the ASG’s Associate Director for Policy Initiatives and prior to that as the Aspen Institute’s Director of Donor Relations and Special Events. Ms. Bitounis also worked closely with Institute senior staff and the Board of Trustees in her role as Special Projects Officer for the President and CEO’s office during Walter Isaacson’s tenure. Prior to working at the Institute, held positions at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and National Geographic. Ms. Bitounis received her B.S. in International Affairs at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.