Our People

Biography

Judy Samuelson created the Aspen Business and Society Program, an independently supported program at the Aspen Institute, in 1998. Aspen BSP respects the power of business to shape the long-term health of society, and works to align business decisions with the public good. It engages leaders and social intrapreneurs -- from MBAs to CEOs -- in dialogue, networks and public programs that put common sense decision-making at the heart of business practice and education.

Signature programs include Beyond Grey Pinstripes, a global data base and report card on MBA business education, and the Corporate Values Strategy Group, a forum for business leaders to promote change in policy and business practice in pursuit of long-term value creation. Judy spearheaded the creation of the Aspen Principles, a set of guidelines to spotlight short-termism in business and capital markets, and promote long-term focus by companies and institutional investors. The Principles are widely cited and were recently named one of "50 Stars in Seriously Long-Term Innovation."

Before Aspen, Judy led the Ford Foundation's office of Program Related-Investments. She has also been a middle-market banker in New York's garment center for Bankers Trust Company, as well as a lobbyist and legislative aide working on health and education issues in California.

Judy studied Political Science and Art History at UCLA and has a Master's Degree from the Yale School of Management. She held Board positions at ACCION-New York, All Souls Unitarian Church, and Net Impact, where she is Chair Emeritus. In 2011, Judy was named a Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business Behavior. Judy publishes widely and blogs for Huffington Post.