Tommy Loper is passionate about the development of human potential and relationship building that lead to more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable futures. He serves as Vice President for Enterprise Development at the Aspen Institute. Since joining the Institute in 2008, Tommy has led multiple endeavors to broaden and deepen Aspen’s mission for a more just, free and equitable world. Such initiatives include: supporting the launch of the Aspen Global Leadership Network; co-founding the Resnick Aspen Action Forum; co-founding Weave: The Social Fabric Project with David Brooks of the New York Times; Vice President of the Aspen Institute’s leadership programs; and co-chair of a Board strategy group to explore ways to expand the reach and impact of the Institute’s historic commitment to leadership. He is the co-founder of the Aspen LGBTQ+ Pride Group and former co-chair of the Institute’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Group. His career path spans nearly two decades and includes work with two start-up event production agencies. At age 35, he was recognized as a top 20 conference producer in the United States on the BizBash 1,000.
Tommy also serves on multiple boards including: Space for Humanity, engaging purpose-driven leaders through a sponsored spaceflight experience to create a profound shift in perspective and increase the representation and democratization of space flight; The Moonshot Platform, a movement generating opportunities for emerging leaders to inspire ideas and social impact action; The Quorum Initiative, accelerating the advancement of executive women in business; and Keseb, building an ecosystem for cross-country learning, collaboration, and innovation to turn the tide against authoritarianism and advance inclusive democracies. He previously served on the board of Friends of New Orleans.
Tommy is a graduate of the School of International Service at American University, he studied at La Universidad Diego Portales in Chile, L’Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, and most recently participated in Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Executive Management program. He is a regular guest lecturer for the course “Designing for Human Behavior” at the University of Texas at Austin, School of Architecture. He has also guest lectured at the George Washington University. Tommy is married to Dirk Sellers, Chief Development Officer at the National Wildlife Federation, and together they make their homes in Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Washington, DC, with their two labradors Georgiou and Lilibet. Tommy is an avid traveler, explorer, runner, space enthusiast, Trekkie, and dog lover.
