About Us

Mission

The mission of Latinos and Society is to increase economic opportunity and build intergenerational wealth in Latino communities, and we do so by empowering these communities with the data, the tools, access to networks and investments needed for economic growth and resiliency. 

Values

Inclusion, shared learning, cross-sector collaboration, diversity of perspectives, co-creation.

Our Theory of Change 

We believe that when better-informed decision-makers coalesce to establish cross-sectoral partnerships, deepen knowledge networks, and increase investments in underserved communities, we can create pathways for intergenerational wealth—leading to inclusive economies across America.

We also believe that an increase in Latino and BIPOC representation in executive roles accelerates positive outcomes, allows us to monitor progress, and fosters accountability to ensure a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous nation for all.

Advisory Board

    Aspen Latinos Team

      Timeline

      2014 

      Monica Lozano, former chief executive officer of ImpreMedia, one of the largest media companies serving Latino communities in the United States, convenes a cross-sectoral, multiethnic advisory board with institutional leaders to explore the creation of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program (Aspen Latinos) and then assumes her role as founding chair.

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      Abigail Golden-Vazquez, a vice president of the Institute and deputy director of the Global Leadership Initiatives, is named founding executive director of the program.

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      Founding Advisory Board is established.

      Founding Advisory Board

      Monica Lozano, Founding Chairman
      David Cohen
      Cesar Conde
      Luis Echarte
      Abigail Golden-Vázquez
      Vilma Socorro Martínez
      Dr. Diana Natalicio
      Patricia Salas Pineda
      Francisco Sanchez
      Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez
      Laysha Ward

       

      2015

      Aspen Latinos is established with founding contributions from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation and the
      Ricardo Salinas Foundation.

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      The Ricardo Salinas Scholarship is established to increase representation of American Latinos and Mexican Nationals
      in Aspen Institute programming.

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      The inaugural America’s Future Summit takes place in Washington, DC bringing together thought leaders and
      participants from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to engage in meaningful dialogue and inspire ideas
      for a more inclusive and equitable future.

      2017

      Aspen Latinos hosts the first of several deep dive retreats, the Aspen Institute Forum on Latino Business Growth.
      Unleashing Latino-Owned Business Potential, a report of the Aspen Institute Forum on
      Latino Business Growth is released.

      2020

      Aspen Latinos launches A Playbook for Scaling Latino-Owned Businesses.

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      Aspen Latinos Founding Executive Director Abigail Golden-Vasquez steps down.
      Aspen Latinos names Domenika Lynch as executive director. Formerly, she was President and CEO
      of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

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      The Woody & Gayle Hunt-Aspen Institute Fellowship is established to provide scholarships to attend Aspen Institute
      programs for exceptional leaders residing in the Texas Borderplex region.

      2021

      The Aspen City Action Lab (City Action Lab) is launched in six cities to generate long-term, inclusive economic growth
      through business ownership. Participating cities are Chicago, Illinois; El Paso, Texas; Miami, Florida;
      Phoenix, Arizona; San Antonio, Texas; and San Bernardino, California.

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      The inaugural Aspen Latino Business Summit in Washington, DC, brings together more than
      200 cross-sector leaders from across the nation.

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      The inaugural Advancing Economic Mobility is held in Washington, DC.
      Our knowledge partner McKinsey unveils its first yearly report on the economic state of Latinos in the US.

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      In partnership with Aspen Digital, the report
      A Roadmap to Empowerment: The Future of Latinos in a Digital Economy is released.

      2022

      The Aspen Institute partnered with the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence,
      and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics and hosts six White House Initiative Latino Economic Summits
      in cities across the country.

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      In partnership with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Aspen Latinos hosts six private
      Regional Salon Dinners bringing together C-suite executives across the public and private sectors
      committed to strengthening the local economies of Latino majority cities.

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      Aspen Latinos develops the San Bernardino Investment Playbook in partnership with
      Drexel University’s Nowak Metro Finance Lab.

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      UpSkill America and Aspen Latinos launch the Digital Skills and the Latino Workforce research project
      and released the report,  Pathways to digital skills development for Latino workers.

      2023

      Philadelphia is added as a seventh city to the Aspen City Action Lab.
      The Lab enters the implementation phase for city-specific intervention strategies.

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      In partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM),
      Aspen Latinos releases Employer Opportunities and Challenges in the Digital Economy.