Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder

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Welcome Welcome to the Aspen Institute—explore our work, programs, and ideas creating new possibilities for a better world.
Who We Are
What We Do
How We Work

About Us We are a global convener of changemakers building a better world. Explore our history, impact, and the places that bring our mission to life.
Impact
History
Locations
International Partners
People & Culture
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Our Work We create real-world impact through a wide range of initiatives that connect people, spark ideas, and advance solutions.
Programs
Fellowships
Events
Seminars
Centers
Awards
Publications

Impact Areas Our impact areas connect the dots across programs, fellowships, and networks—linking and leveraging our strengths to take on complex, interdisciplinary challenges.
Economic Opportunity
Energy and Climate
Leadership
rising generations
Societal Trust

People The Aspen Institute is powered by people who lead with purpose: experts, leaders, and changemakers who bring curiosity, conviction, and drive to create a better world.
President and CEO
Board of Trustees
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Who We Are

Our Purpose

We ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world.

Our Purpose at Aspen

Our Heritage

We were founded in 1949 as an experiment—as a place to reflect on values and lead with purpose in a complex, changing world.

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Our People

The Aspen Institute is powered by a dedicated community of leaders working together to advance our mission with purpose and care.

How We Work

We bring people together, develop leaders, and enable solutions to today’s challenges by fostering dialogue and collaboration.

Our Methodologies

Facilitate Dialogue and Curate Convenings
Develop Leaders and Leadership
Enable Solutions

What We Do

We tackle society’s most complex challenges through programs, leadership initiatives, and convenings that turn ideas into action.

Explore our Work

Our Impact Areas

Economic Opportunity
Energy and Climate
Leadership
Rising Generations
Societal Trust

About Us

Impact

We convene diverse voices to explore complex challenges and spark ideas and foster relationships that lead to real-world impact.

Read our Latest Impact Report

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History and Heritage

We were founded in 1949 as an experiment—as a place to reflect on values and lead with purpose in a complex, changing world.

Learn about our history and heritage

Locations

Our U.S. locations foster connection, reflection, and dialogue—serving as hubs for ideas, leadership, and impact.

Explore our locations

Washington D.C. (Headquarters)
Aspen, Colorado
New York, New York

International Partners

Our network of 13 international partners advance dialogue, civil discourse, and practical solutions to important challenges within their societies. They are distinct nonprofit organizations affiliated with the Aspen Institute.

Learn more about our International Partners

Aspen Initiative Africa – Nairobi
Aspen Institute Central Europe
Aspen Institute Columbia
Aspen Institute España
Institut Aspen France
Aspen Institute Germany
Ananta Aspen Centre (India)
Aspen Institute Italia
Aspen Institute Japan
Aspen Institute Kyiv
Aspen Institute México
Aspen Institute New Zealand
Aspen Romania
Aspen Institute UK

People & Culture

Aspen Institute employees bring diverse backgrounds and a unique blend of knowledge, skills, and experience. We value their passion, insight, and commitment as our most vital resource.

Learn more about careers at the Aspen Institute

Career Opportunities

If you are interested in a career with the Aspen Institute, please explore our open positions.

Internships

The Aspen Institute offers internships that build skills, provide hands-on learning, and connect you with professionals in your field.

Across the Institute

Programs

Our programs tackle complex challenges across policy, society, and culture, creating space for dialogue, innovation, and practical solutions.

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Arts Program
Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Aspen Challenge
Aspen Community Programs
Aspen Digital
Aspen Economic Strategy Group
Aspen Forum for Community Solutions (AFCS)
Aspen Global Innovators Group
Aspen Global Leadership Network
Aspen Institute Latinos and Society
Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs
Aspen Policy Academy
Aspen Strategy Group
Aspen Words
Business & Society Program
Center for Native American Youth
College Excellence Program
Community Strategies Group
Congressional Program
Criminal Justice Reform Initiative
Economic Opportunities Program
Education and Society Program
Energy and Environment Program
Financial Security Program
Food and Society Program
Health, Medicine & Society Program
Philanthropy and Social Innovation
Philosophy & Society
Religion & Society Program
Socrates Program
Sports & Society
Stevens Initiative
Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Events

From global convenings to local forums, our events bring together diverse voices to exchange ideas and explore solutions to critical issues.

See Upcoming Events

Sun 22 Jun 2025

Aspen Ideas: Health 2025
Sun 22 Jun 2025

2025 Summer Words Writers Conference

Fellowships

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People

Support Us

The Aspen Institute was founded in 1949 as an experiment—a place where people could step away from daily demands to reflect on timeless values, engage in meaningful dialogue, and explore new ways of leading and acting in a complex world.

How to Support the Aspen Institute

Donate

Make a gift to the Aspen Institute

Seminars

Our signature leadership seminars create transformative experiences that challenge participants to reflect deeply, think critically, and grow as purposeful leaders.

See Upcoming Seminars

Centers

Aspen Institute Centers provide focused platforms for advancing specific fields of inquiry, public understanding, and leadership development across disciplines.

Learn about our Centers

Publications and Reports

Our research, reports, and commentary share knowledge, surface insights, and inform policy and public discourse.

Browse our publications and reports

Awards

We recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to society, leadership, and the public good.

Fellowships

We cultivate communities of high-impact leaders committed to values-driven leadership and positive change in their sectors and communities.

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Africa Leadership Initiative – East Africa
Africa Leadership Initiative – South Africa
Africa Leadership Initiative – West Africa
Ascend Fellowship
Aspen President’s Fellowship
Aspen Rising President’s Fellowship
Aspen Strategy Group Rising Leaders Program
Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship
Aspen-Kern Program on Leadership and Character in Higher Education
Brave Heart Fellowship
Building Indigenous Communities of Hope Fellowship
Central America Leadership Initiative
China Fellowship Program
Civil Society Fellowship
Economic Mobility Fellowship
Finance Leaders Fellowship
Food Leaders Fellowship
Future Leaders Climate Fellowship
Health Innovators Fellowship
Healthy Communities Fellowship
Henry Crown Fellowship
Impact West Africa Fellowship
Job Quality Fellowship
Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship
Leading Colombia 2050
Liberty Fellowship
Middle East Leadership Initiative
New Voices Fellowship
Pahara Fellowship
Remembering Our Sisters Fellowship
Science and Technology Policy Fellowship
SOAR Fellowship
Workforce Leadership Academies

Energy and Climate

We elevate climate solutions through practical, collective action that protects our planet and our future.

Explore Energy and climate

Economic Opportunity

We advance strategies, policies, and ideas that catalyze the change needed to build an inclusive economy—one that ensures financial security, opportunity, and resilience.

Explore economic opportunity

Leadership

We connect and develop leaders across sectors, geographies, and generations, creating networks of individuals committed to solving our greatest challenges.

Explore Leadership

Rising Generations

We ignite the potential of young people of all backgrounds by developing their leadership, amplifying their voices, and enabling productive dialogue across differences.

Explore Rising Generations

Societal Trust

We strengthen democracy and our social fabric by building trust and solving problems in partnership with individuals, institutions, and communities.

Explore Societal Trust

President and CEO

Dan Porterfield is President and CEO of the Aspen Institute. He has been recognized as a visionary strategist, leader, and advocate for young people and purpose-driven leadership.

Learn about dan Porterfield

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees includes distinguished leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Trustees provide counsel to the President and CEO, oversee the management of the Institute’s assets and affairs, and guide the organization in fulfillment of its purpose and mission.

Learn About the Board of Trustees

Executive Leadership

The Executive Team advises the President and CEO on strategy and operations, ensures alignment across the Institute, and advances its mission internally and externally. Members represent key programs and functions.

Learn more about our Executive Leadership

Experts

Our experts focus on an array of relevant critical issues and ideas. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and have made it their mission to further the ideals of the Aspen Institute

Explore our Experts

Planned Giving

Your values-based legacy gift to the Aspen Institute can be a powerful testament to shared beliefs and provide essential support towards our impactful work.

Learn more about Planned Giving

Corporate and Foundation Partners

The Aspen Institute is proud to partner with leading companies in our mission to solve the greatest challenges of our time through dialogue, leadership, and action.

Learn more about Corporate and Foundation Partners

Aspen Society

The Aspen Society is a national community of Aspen Institute supporters who are committed to making a lasting impact on society.

Join the Aspen Society

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Economic Opportunity
Energy and Climate
Leadership
Rising Generations
Societal Trust

Aspen Institute

Welcome
About Us
Our Work

75 years of visionary ideas of fearless leadership of global impact 75 years of aspen institute

We ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world.

Explore our impact

Impact Areas

Rising Generations

We ignite the potential of young people of all backgrounds by developing their leadership, amplifying their voices, and enabling productive dialogue across differences.

Explore Rising Generations

Economic Opportunity

We advance strategies, policies, and ideas that catalyze the change needed to build an inclusive economy—one that ensures financial security, opportunity, and resilience.

Explore economic opportunity

Energy and Climate

We elevate climate solutions through practical, collective action that protects our planet and our future.

EXPLORE ENERGY AND CLIMATE

Leadership

We connect and develop leaders across sectors, geographies, and generations, creating networks of individuals committed to solving our greatest challenges.

EXPLORE LEADERSHIP

Societal Trust

We strengthen democracy and our social fabric by building trust and solving problems in partnership with individuals, institutions, and communities.

Events

Aspen Ideas: Health 2025

June 22, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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2025 Summer Words Writers Conference

June 22, 2025 | Snowmass Village, CO

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Leadership Societal Trust Science and Technology

How to Tell Governments What You Think

June 25, 2025

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Aspen Ideas Festival 2025

June 25, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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Economic Opportunity

Advising Small Businesses on Job Quality: Lessons from CDFIs

June 26, 2025

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75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

June 28, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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2025 Aspen Community Programs & Aspen Society Summer Calendar

July 7, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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Breaking News, Breaking Barriers: Connie Chung on Journalism, Truth, and Legacy

July 8, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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The Escalation of Extreme Weather: How Climate Change is Fueling Superstorms, Deadly Heat, and Unprecedented Disasters

July 9, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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Socrates Program: 2025 Summer Seminars

July 11, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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Societal Trust

LIVE NOW – Shared Futures: The AI Forum

June 13, 2025

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Leadership

The Aspen Executive Seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society – June 2025

June 7, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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2025 Aspen Words Book Ball

June 13, 2025 | Aspen, CO 81611

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Health and Sport

The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts

June 12, 2025 | Aspen, CO

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2025 Socrates Romania Transatlantic Seminar

June 10, 2025 | Brussels, Belgium

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Leadership Societal Trust Science and Technology

Writing an Op-Ed

June 11, 2025

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Marketcrafters: The 100-Year Struggle To Shape the American Economy — A Book Talk with Chris Hughes

June 5, 2025

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2025 Socrates España Seminar

May 29, 2025 | Cardona, Barcelona

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Socrates Japan, Nara 2025

May 23, 2025 | Nara, Japan

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How Employers Are Tackling Mobility Blockers in Public Benefit Programs

May 22, 2025

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Remembering Leonard A. Lauder

The Aspen Institute mourns the passing of Leonard A. Lauder, who died on June 14 at the age of 92. As Chairman Emeritus of Estée Lauder, Mr. Lauder transformed the company over six decades of leadership into a multi-branded and beloved global icon. At the Aspen Institute, Mr. Lauder was a member of the Board of Trustees, having served on the board since 1980, including a period as Interim Chair of the Board.

A Milestone Year

This year is an exciting one for the Aspen Institute as we celebrate our 75th anniversary. Working together, we can and must continue our efforts to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world.

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