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2025 Summer Internship Opportunities
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Aspen Ideas Festival – Fellows Program (Aspen, CO)
The Aspen Ideas Festival is the nation’s premier gathering place for leaders from around the globe and across disciplines to engage in inquisitive discussion of the ideas that both shape our lives and challenge our times. The Festival Fellows Programs provides the opportunity for a diverse group of leaders from all over the United States and different countries selected for their work, accomplishments, and ability to transform ideas into action to join us at Aspen Ideas: Health and the Aspen Ideas Festival.
The Aspen Ideas Festival Fellows intern will provide administrative and on-site support to the Festival Fellows manager, and serve as co-contact for roughly 200 Fellows during Aspen Ideas Health (AIH) and Aspen Ideas Festival (AIF). Our selected intern will create group communication channels with both the AIH and AIF Fellows before, during and after the festival via WhatsApp, assist with design of the Fellows “How to Fest Guide”, coordinate logistics and organize Fellows-specific events during both Festivals. The intern will be responsible for the Fellows registration desk throughout both Festivals to provide a warm welcome to both cohorts, be available throughout the festivals to troubleshoot any issues, answer questions, manage WhatsApp group communications and deeply engage with the Fellows. In addition, they will manage travel reimbursement process for Fellows.
The ideal candidate is energetic, highly organized, adaptable, and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment. They are outgoing, friendly and enthusiastic, have customer service experience, have a keen eye for detail and interest in logistics, possess outstanding communication, organizational, and time management skills. Our selected intern will be professional and have good judgment. They will be a team player with the ability to work well independently and with others. They will have great interpersonal skills, possess a strong desire to learn and the ability to be flexible and proactive. To thrive, they will also have outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Design skills are a plus but not required (Canva, Photoshop, etc.)By the end of the summer, the selected student will strengthen their leadership, organizational and interpersonal communication skills by interacting and supporting over 200 young leaders from around the world via email and in person at the Festivals. This selected student will create strong and long-lasting relationships with the Fellows, as well as the entire Aspen Institute team, which will support them in their personal and professional growth.
City Innovation (Washington, D.C.)
City Innovation at the Aspen Institute seeks a motivated and creative intern to assist with the expansion of Bloomberg CityLab to drive year-round dialogue and action on urban issues and solutions. Bloomberg CityLab, a project of the Aspen Institute and Bloomberg Philanthropies, convenes artists, academics, funders, and other public and private sector leaders focused on improving cities and spreading urban strategies that work. Since 2013, CityLab has occurred in New York, Los Angeles, London, Miami, Paris, Detroit, Washington DC, Amsterdam, and Mexico City. The multi-day gathering shares creative ideas and solutions with city leaders to create inclusive and thriving communities.
The intern will support the City Innovation Director and Program Associate, Aspen Institute’s existing partnership with the Government Innovation team at Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Aspen Ideas team, to develop and execute content for the annual Bloomberg CityLab event. Additionally, this position, where possible, will help transition Bloomberg CityLab from an annual event into a year-round series of programming that connects city leaders around the world to the best, most innovative thinking on urban issues and solutions.
The ideal candidate brings an entrepreneurial and creative mindset with strong data management skills and event logistics experience. The intern should also have an appreciation for excellent customer service, problem solving, and teamwork.
Aspen Economic Strategy Group (AESG) (Washington D.C)
The Aspen Economic Strategy Group (AESG), a program of the Aspen Institute, is composed of a diverse, bipartisan group of distinguished leaders and thinkers with the goal of promoting evidence-based solutions to significant U.S. economic challenges. Co-chaired by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. and Timothy F. Geithner, the AESG fosters the exchange of economic policy ideas and seeks to clarify the lines of debate on emerging economic issues while promoting bipartisan relationship-building among current and future generations of policy leaders in Washington.
The AESG is seeking an intern with a demonstrated interest in economic policy who is motivated, responsible, and detail oriented. The ideal candidate has a passion for supporting a wide range of communications, operational, administrative, and logistical tasks; is creative, enterprising, and eager to learn on the job; is excited about balancing multiple, often simultaneous, activities; and has extremely high standards for the quality of their work. Qualified candidates must demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills, impeccable attention to detail, and the ability to flourish on a small, dynamic, and fast-paced team. Critical thinking skills are also essential, as is the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations. Note: Candidate must be available to attend the AESG annual meeting in Aspen, Colorado, which will take place August 4-6, 2025.
The AESG’s summer intern will strengthen their organization, time management, and interpersonal communication skills and gain experience working with high-profile principals. The AESG’s summer intern will gain a greater understanding of contemporary US economic policies.Aspen Global Leadership Network- Resnick Aspen Action Forum (AGLN) (Washington D.C.)
The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is a growing, worldwide community of nearly 4,000 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from over 60 countries who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their creativity, energy, and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. Because of their demonstrated accomplishments and abilities, they have been selected to join one of 18 geographic or sector-specific AGLN Fellowships around the world.
The Resnick Aspen Action Forum is one of the Aspen Institute’s greatest platforms for sparking real and measurable change in the world. Each year, more than 350 entrepreneurs—most of whom are members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network—gather in Aspen for 4 days of seminars, workshops, topical dialogues, and keynote addresses. The Forum offers participants a chance to retreat from the spotlight, refresh their perspectives on their work and lives, and build relationships with other leaders from across the globe. Action Forum participants are motivated to make a dent in some of today’s most intractable global challenges.
The Resnick Aspen Action Forum Intern will provide programmatic, operational, and administrative support for the Action Forum Team. They will support the participant experience through the management of our Cvent attendee hub and assist in the operations and budgetary tasks like scholarship allocation and hotel oversight. Additionally, they’ll engage with the program development team to support speaker invites and meetings, culminating in assisting with onsite event execution. Applicants should have an interest in planning major international events, a keen attention to detail, and strong written and oral communication skills.
By the end of the summer, the selected intern will have a holistic understanding of planning, managing, and executing a large scale international gathering by assisting on a variety of task areas from participant experience, vendor management, program development, and onsite execution.
Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) – Media and Communications
The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is a growing, worldwide community of nearly 4,000 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from over 60 countries who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their creativity, energy, and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. Because of their demonstrated accomplishments and abilities, they have been selected to join one of 18 geographic or sector-specific AGLN Fellowships around the world.
The AGLN’s Media and Communications intern will provide graphic design, event marketing, and storytelling support to the AGLN team, its Fellowship programs, and the Resnick Aspen Action Forum. As a part of the AGLN’s Communications and Community Engagement team, this intern will support in creating designed materials for our website, social media, and various events to attract Fellows and partners to our work and bring the concept of values-based leadership alive. The intern will be a critical part in our content production and promotion efforts.
By the end of the internship, the intern will have enhanced their skills in graphic design, storytelling, and strategic communications while gaining hands-on experience in content creation, event marketing, and media asset management. They will build expertise in managing digital tools, analyzing social media performance, and producing materials for programmatic and external engagement to amplify the impact of values-based leadership. They will also have the opportunity to engage with an incredible network of AGLN Fellows driving positive social impact around the world, in turn being exposed to various social change models and approaches to address global issues.
Business and Society Program (New York City, New York)
The Aspen Institute Business and Society Program (Aspen BSP) works with business executives and scholars to align business decisions and investments with the long-term health of society—and the planet. Through carefully designed networks, working groups and focused dialogue, the Program identifies and inspires thought leaders and “intrapreneurs” to challenge conventional ideas about capitalism and markets, to test new measures of business success and to connect classroom theory and business practice.
The Business & Society Program is looking for an intern to provide events and administrative support for our summer events, including our Business & Society Summit (July 7-10), our First Movers Fellowship Program, and our First Movers Summit. The intern will work closely with our Senior Events Associate and other team members in executing all aspects of the event, along with providing support for other events and executing special projects as needed.
By the end of this summer, the selected student will have gained: firsthand knowledge of important issues and players at the intersection of business & society; hands-on experience in all things related to event management; enhanced organizational and time management skills; and increased confidence in their interpersonal skills and professional presence, from interacting with BSP team members and event attendees.
Aspen Ideas: Health (Washington, DC)
Aspen Ideas: Health (June 22-25, 2025) is the opening segment of the renowned Aspen Ideas Festival, which gathers leaders, innovators, and advocates from around the globe to discuss the big ideas shaping the future of health, medicine, and science.
Speaker Engagement Intern
The Aspen Ideas: Health (AIH) Speaker Engagement Intern will help manage the 160+ speakers and moderators that attend AIH each year as well as the 60 sessions that take place during the event. Our intern will work with speakers to gathering registration materials and facilitate panel communications in the lead up to the event, while serving as a resource for speakers while on the ground during the event. They will also coordinate on-site author-signings and the event bookstore. Additionally, they will collaborate with the marketing manager on promotional materials and speaker needs.
This position is ideal for a student or recent graduate with a keen interest in event production, public policy, marketing, or health and science communication/journalism. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, has a high attention to detail, strong interpersonal communication skills, and is comfortable in a fast-paced, constantly changing event environment.
The AIH Speaker Engagement Intern will support the team in the lead-up to the event and will be on the ground in Aspen, CO during the event in June.
By the end of the summer, the selected intern will gain understanding and experience in planning and executing a large-scale, multi-day event. They will strengthen their professional communication skills through interactions with staff, contractors, and speakers via email, video calls, and face to face meetings at the event. They will also acquire deeper knowledge of editorial production and marketing in health, medicine, and science fields.
Strategic Partnerships Intern
The Aspen Ideas: Health (AIH) Strategic Partnerships Intern will help manage the engagement of the 10-15 event sponsors (Underwriters) that make AIH possible each year. Our intern will provide administrative assistance in the lead up to the event by creating weekly reports, drafting decks, and joining underwriter calls. They will also coordinate underwriter private events, including sending invitations, communicating with vendors, and managing events on-site.
This position is ideal for a student or recent graduate with a keen interest in event production, business, health, public policy, and/or marketing. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, has a high attention to detail, strong communication skills, and is comfortable in a fast-paced, constantly changing event environment.
The AIH Strategic Partnerships Intern will support the team in the lead-up to the event and will be on the ground in Aspen, CO during the event in June.
By the end of the summer, the selected intern will gain understanding and experience in event planning and customer service. They will have the opportunity to work on multiple projects in a fast-paced and professional environment. They will also acquire deeper knowledge of nonprofit management.
Ascend (Washington, DC)
Ascend at the Aspen Institute is a catalyst and convener for diverse leaders working across systems and sectors to build intergenerational family prosperity and well-being by intentionally focusing on children and the adults in their lives together. We believe in the power of co-creation. We are a community of leaders — well-connected, well-prepared and well-positioned — building political will that transforms hearts, minds, policies, and practices. https://ascend.aspeninstitute.org/about-ascend/
Interns with Ascend will foster their skills in supporting daily operations, conducting research, analyzing data, and providing high-level administrative and logistical assistance in pursuit of efficient team and program functions. Interns will also build their ability to meaningfully plan, manage, and execute logistical elements of meetings and convenings, facilitating seamless operations.
One summer intern will specifically work with an Ascender on a large convening planned for July 2025 in Aspen, Colorado. This intern will work more heavily in managing and coordinating convenings and will have the opportunity to travel to Aspen for the multi-day convening. Other intern(s) may have the opportunity to support this convening as well, but it is not anticipated to be the full-time focus.
Aspen Words (Aspen, CO)
The Aspen Words Intern position is ideal for a student or recent graduate with an interest in event production, marketing, and the literary non-profit sector who possesses research skills, high attention to detail and a can-do attitude. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, works well both independently and as part of a team, is comfortable going with the flow and multitasking in a fun, fast-paced environment.
Aspen Words was founded in 1976 as a literary center based in Aspen, CO and became a program of the Aspen Institute in 2015. Our mission is to encourage writers, inspire readers and connect people through the power of stories. AW’s year-round programs include Summer Words, a writing conference; Winter Words, a speaker series presenting the best of contemporary literature; the Aspen Words Literary Prize, a $35,000 annual award for fiction with social impact; and educational programs for middle and high school students featuring acclaimed authors and poets. New in 2025, AW is bringing a 3-day literary festival to Aspen, CO in late September.
The Aspen Words Intern will help finalize planning and participate in executing the 2025 Summer Words writers conference taking place in Snowmass Village June 22-27. They will also help staff AW’s Book Ball fundraiser dinner on June 13. Throughout the summer they will also assist in doing research, event coordination and preparation for the 2025 Aspen Literary Festival.
The Aspen Words Intern should have good communication skills, be able to multi-task, be professional and responsive and ideally has an interest in the world of literature and writing. Someone with an interest in event production is encouraged to apply. By the end of the summer, the Aspen Words intern will have helped to execute one of Aspen Words longest standing programs, the Summer Words writers conference, participated in staffing the program’s only annual fundraiser and will have contributed toward the successful launch of the first Aspen Literary Festival.
By the end of the summer, the selected intern will have helped to facilitate a world-class writers conference, Aspen Words only fundraiser of the year, assisted in coordinating details for the first (annual) Aspen Literary Festival and been given opportunities to deepen their communication, event planning and marketing skills.
Aspen Global Innovators Group (Washington, DC)
For over 20 years, the Aspen Global Innovators Group (AGI) has championed leadership innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing challenges in access to healthcare. AGI builds leadership capacity and connects individuals and organizations with bold ideas and new solutions that tackle long-standing health and development challenges. AGI works with leaders and innovators from 54 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Island States to reduce health disparities and achieve optimal health for people living in underserved communities. Our programs include fellowship and leadership coaching programs, and strategic partnerships with impactful local organizations around the world.
AGI seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Program/Communications intern to support its work catalyzing leaders worldwide to advance equitable, locally rooted, and innovative solutions for health and well-being. This internship offers a dynamic opportunity to engage in programmatic and communications activities that amplify the impact of AGI’s fellowship programs and initiatives.
By the end of the internship, the intern will develop skills in project management, strategic communications, and events coordination while gaining knowledge in global health and development challenges. They will gain hands-on experience in storytelling and communications strategies tailored to diverse audiences. The intern will build expertise in managing digital tools, conducting research and producing material for programmatic and external engagement efforts.
The intern should possess excellent written communications skills and the ability to provide support across a range of projects and initiatives.
Office of Curriculum and Moderators (Washington DC)
The Office of Curriculum and Moderators is responsible for curriculum design, book production, and moderator training for the Aspen Institute’s leadership seminars. Aspen’s humanities-based leadership seminars are offered by the Executive Seminars Department and the Aspen Global Leadership Network as well as other national and international Aspen Institute programs. In support of this office, the Summer 2025 Intern will work primarily with the Readings Production team on library and archival development, helping to maintain the historic collection of readings featured in our seminars.
By the end of the summer, the selected intern will take part in book cataloging and library systems management, assist in researching copyrights and securing permissions, and gain familiarity with the Aspen seminars book (educational course pack) production process. The ideal candidate brings a strongly detail-oriented, creative mindset to the team, along with data management experience. This candidate should also have an appreciation for and curiosity about library cataloging, proofreading, and the publishing process in general.
Energy and Environment Program (Washington D.C.)
The Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program (EEP) works with people, organizations, and governments to take greater action on solving climate change. EEP addresses critical energy, environmental, and climate change issues through non-partisan, nonideological convenings and facilitated collaborations, with the specific intent of bringing together diverse stakeholders to improve the process and progress of policy-level dialogue. Our core strategy focuses on mitigating the effects of climate change and helping communities to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change by fostering the leaders, relationships, dialogues, and policy objectives necessary to achieve these goals.
Aspen Ideas: Climate
Over the course of three days, Aspen Ideas: Climate will gather global and local policy makers, scientists, business and NGO leaders, energy experts, artists, young leaders, members of the public and others, for a series of dialogues aimed at activating even greater climate action and collaboration. For the past three years, this event has become the premier solutions-oriented convening for leaders to engage through discussions on the main stage, closed-door technical roundtables, intimate breakout conversations, excursions, art exhibitions, and field trips. Aspen Ideas: Climate will bring together a dynamic mix of experts and young leaders to share, listen, and inspire.
The selected intern will work primarily with the Aspen Ideas: Climate Speaker Management Team on all aspects of Aspen Ideas: Climate speaker needs, including but not limited to, managing speaker registration, coordinating travel, accommodations and lodging for speakers and moderators, database entry, cross-checking data and proofreading communications.
By the end of the summer, the selected candidate will strengthen their interpersonal communication skills by interacting with diverse internal and external stakeholders, develop project management, event production and planning skills, expand their knowledge of the climate, energy and environment field and key stakeholders and organizations operating in this space, grow their problem-solving skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset, initiative and professionalism and build professional relationships with a diverse network of colleagues.
Aspen Conference Services (Aspen, CO)
The Aspen Conference Services team provides logistical event support for approximately 14 events per year, supporting an array of policy and public program departments across the Institute. Aspen, CO-based programs like the Aspen Ideas Festival/Aspen Ideas: Health, Aspen Security Forum, and the Resnick Aspen Action Forum comprise the flagship summer series of events that the Conference Services team is best known for supporting.
The Aspen Conference Services (ACS) team is seeking summer interns with a demonstrated interest in organizing and executing major events, and who are motivated, responsible, and detail oriented. The ideal candidate has a passion for supporting a wide range of events that are fast-paced and composed of numerous logistical tasks. A positive customer-service attitude is a must.
By the end of the summer, selected interns will have a great foundational knowledge of programs across the Institute and strengthen their event-planning skillset through these marquee programs.
Aspen Ideas Festival Editorial Intern (Aspen, CO)
The Aspen Ideas Festival is the nation’s premier gathering place for leaders from around the globe and across disciplines to engage in inquisitive discussion of the ideas that both shape our lives and challenge our times.
The Editorial Intern will take on tasks related to the Aspen Ideas Festival website, print production, podcast production, mobile app, social media, and more. This position is ideal for a student or recent graduate with a keen interest in communications, marketing, journalism, and events. The ideal candidate is highly organized and digitally savvy with outstanding written and verbal communication skills, and is comfortable in a fast-paced, constantly changing event environment. Editorial duties may include writing content for the website, assisting with social media, organizing photos and digital files, and gathering quotes during the Festival.
By the end of the summer, the Editorial Intern will have deepened their experience in a wide range of communications activities by supporting the editorial work of a world-class event. They will understand and help execute the critical processes that go into producing the Festival, from the mobile app to photography and digital coverage. They will increase their interpersonal communications skills and confidence navigating interactions with all sorts of people, from fellow staff to attendees and high-profile speakers.
Aspen Society (Aspen, CO)
The Aspen Society is a national community of Aspen Institute supporters who actively participate in Aspen Institute programs, act as advocates and ambassadors, and help financially sustain the Institute’s work. Founded in 1964, the Aspen Society has more than 1,700 members nationally who share a passion for the Aspen Institute and provide important unrestricted financial support. In thanks for their generous support, Aspen Society members have access to over 50 member-exclusive events every year in Aspen, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and other locations around the country. The Aspen Society team is an eight-person staff within the Office of Institutional Advancement. The Aspen Society team engages members to secure support that furthers the mission and all the work of the Aspen Institute.
The Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) oversees the Aspen Institute’s fundraising and donor relations. The Aspen Society, a department of OIA, is the Institute’s national membership program that raises crucial unrestricted funding through unique and year-round programmatic experiences. Featuring thought leaders and topic experts, programs are designed to build community amongst supporters and enhance their engagement with the important work of the Aspen Institute.
Aspen Society Intern
Interns will practice advancement skills through the support of the Aspen team and scheduling of stewardship and cultivation meetings, maintenance of the member hotline, execution of regular mailings, and event attendance recording. All interns are expected to also provide general operational support, record data in Salesforce, and work events as needed (including weekly Aspen Society and Aspen Community programs, Aspen Ideas Festival, 75th Anniversary Celebration & Community Day, and Socrates Seminar). Ideal candidates will have great customer service skills, experience working events, will be highly detail-oriented, will have knowledge in communications and marketing best practices and will be able to handle sensitive information with detail, discretion, and care.
HBCU Intern
The Aspen Society is a national community of Aspen Institute supporters who actively participate in Aspen Institute programs, act as advocates and ambassadors, and help financially sustain the Institute’s work. Founded in 1964, the Aspen Society has more than 1,700 members nationally who share a passion for the Aspen Institute and provide important unrestricted financial support. The Aspen Society team is part of the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA), which oversees the Aspen Institute’s fundraising and donor relations. The Aspen Society team comprises eight staff members dedicated to engaging members and securing crucial support that furthers the Institute’s mission. Through thought-provoking programming and relationship-building, the Aspen Society contributes to advancing critical issues in leadership, equity, and social change.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to develop professional skills while being part of a team that is driving meaningful impact. Students who attend Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) are encouraged to apply and bring their diverse perspectives and experiences to help strengthen the Aspen Institute’s mission of inclusive leadership. As an intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience in institutional advancement, donor engagement, and event operations while learning from a team that values equity, collaboration, and innovation.
In addition to supporting the Aspen Society team, interns will build proficiency in advancement skills such as Salesforce database management, member stewardship, event execution, and marketing strategies. You’ll also have opportunities to attend and contribute to Aspen Society programs and events, which feature national thought leaders and offer networking experiences with professionals across diverse industries. Ideal candidates will bring strong communication skills, attention to detail, a passion for creating impact, and an eagerness to collaborate on initiatives that bridge communities. This is a great fit for students interested in exploring careers in nonprofit management, communications, development, or event production, and who are driven to contribute to an organization dedicated to fostering equity, dialogue, and action.
Aspen Digital (Washington, D.C.)
Aspen Digital is a nonpartisan technology and information-focused program that brings together thinkers and doers to uncover new ideas and spark policies, processes, and procedures that empower communities and strengthen democracy. It is future-focused and inspires collaboration among diverse voices from industry, government, and civil society to ensure our interconnected world is accessible, safe, and inclusive – both online and off. Across its initiatives, Aspen Digital develops methods for elevating promising solutions and turning thought into networked impact. To learn more, visit aspendigital.org.
The Empowered Communities team at Aspen Digital is committed to creating a better-connected world that prioritizes equity and justice for everyone and dismantles systemic barriers to full participation in our increasingly digital world. Part of the workload for this project includes assisting the Empowered Communities Senior Director and team on the reports and convenings taking place in the summer of 2025. This role will report to the Senior Director of Empowered Communities at Aspen Digital.
The Empowered Communities Intern will support planning efforts for the Empowered Communities programming and reports in 2025 including but not limited to data Analysis, report drafting and editing, administrative support, email blast design and execution, post-event communication, evaluation, compile event materials and event set-up and breakdown.
By the end of the summer, the intern will gain understanding and experience working on a variety of tasks from research and report drafting to event planning and event execution, have had the opportunity to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and acquired deeper knowledge of the inclusive tech ecosystem across tech companies, civil society organizations, public policy, and academic institutions.