Leadership Programs

About the Program

The Henry Crown Fellowship Program, established in 1997, seeks to develop the next generation of community-spirited leaders, providing them with the tools necessary to meet the challenges of business and civic leadership in the 21st century. The program is a unique mix of seminars designed to broaden the perspectives of the participants and hone their skills in values-centered leadership. It honors the memory of Chicago industrialist Henry Crown (1896-1990), whose legendary career was marked by a lifelong commitment to honor, integrity, industry and philanthropy.

The Program

Each class of 20 Henry Crown Fellows is chosen from a wide pool of accomplished entrepreneurial leaders (between the ages of 25 and 45).  These Fellows have already achieved considerable success in the private or public sector and are at an inflection point in their lives or careers—looking toward the broader role they might take on in their communities or globally. The two-year program comprises a structured series of four seminars (approximately 24 days in total) under the guidance of skilled senior moderators of the Aspen Institute along with a required leadership project of each Fellow’s own design and choosing.  Three of the four seminars are held at an Aspen Institute campus in either Aspen, Colorado or on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  For the third seminar, Fellows can choose from a selection of domestic and international locations.  

  • The Challenge of Leadership (August 8-13, 2012 in Aspen, CO), a six-day seminar focusing on the qualities of leadership necessary to master the forces of change. Fellows discuss their own leadership challenges and develop criteria for effective, enlightened leadership.
  • Leadership Projects (November, 2012 – July, 2014) Each Fellow will design and undertake a leadership project of his/her own choosing.  Senior mentors will provide advice and counsel as requested.
  • The Aspen Seminar (tentative dates:  June 7-13, 2013 in Queenstown, MD), a seven-day seminar that gives the Fellows the opportunity to explore the concept of "the good society" and their leadership role in making it a reality. Fellows present and discuss prospectuses for their leadership projects.
  • Leading in an Era of Globalization (Fellows are expected to attend one of the sessions offered between July, 2013 and July, 2014), a six-day seminar exploring the challenges of leading in an increasingly complex and intertwined world.  This seminar is offered in a variety of locations around the world and taken with other Fellows from across the Aspen Global Leadership Network.  Time is set aside for Fellows to discuss progress in the implementation of their leadership projects.  This is a 6-7 day commitment (varies by location) Available dates to be provided at the Fellows’ first seminar.
  • The Promise of Leadership (tentative dates: August 18-22, 2014 in Aspen, CO), a five-day seminar in which the Fellows explore the concepts of legacy and life balance, and share the progress achieved, challenges encountered and lessons learned from their leadership projects.

Upon graduation from the two-year program, Fellows are invited to continue their engagement with members of their class, with other Henry Crown Fellows, with members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and with various other aspects of the Aspen Institute.

Individuals cannot apply for the Henry Crown Fellowship Program; they must be nominated by recognized leaders of the business and professional communities or by Fellows, Senior Mentors, and members of the Henry Crown Fellowship Board of Overseers or the Aspen Institute Board of Trustees.

Executive Director - Peter A. Reiling (Henry Crown Fellow, Class of 1998) is Executive Director of the Henry Crown Fellowship Program and the Aspen Institute’s Executive Vice President for Leadership and Seminar Programs. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, he was President and CEO of TechnoServe, an international organization backing entrepreneurs in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Central Europe.

Managing Director - Eric L. Motley joined the Aspen Institute (Washington, DC) in 2007 as a Vice President and the Managing Director of the Henry Crown Fellows Program.  In addition to this role he currently serves as the Executive Director of the Aspen-Rockefeller Foundation’s Commission to Reform the Federal Appointments Process. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, Eric served as the Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Visitors and from 2001-2005 he worked at the White House including serving as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush.