Hosted By THE ASPEN INSTITUTE AND THE MCNULTY FOUNDATION
What does it take to break cycles that have persisted for generations, and build new ones in their place? And what patterns must leaders unlearn, reimagine, or break altogether to create a shared future that serves everyone?
The McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund recognizes Aspen Institute Fellows leading promising ventures with strong early momentum at critical junctures—ventures poised to scale, deepen their impact, and fearlessly tackle entrenched inequities and structural barriers facing communities worldwide.
Tune in below for a Fellows on Fellows style dialogue with the 2026 McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund awardees for a candid conversation on leadership and their journey tackling major societal issues. Moderated by George McGraw (Civil Society Fellow), 2025 McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund Awardee, the awardees interview each other and discuss how they stay resilient, the “why” behind their work, how they’ve put their unique leadership capacity into practice, and more.
Come curious and leave with new perspectives, real-world insights, and a renewed sense of what’s possible.
ABOUT THE AWARDEES
ThriveLink | Kwamane Liddell (Aspen Global Innovators Group Fellow) | United States
Critical healthcare and nutrition programs remain out of reach for thousands of older adults, people with disabilities, immigrants, and those with limited literacy across the US. Entrepreneur, nurse, and attorney Kwamane Liddell is addressing this gap through ThriveLink, a healthcare technology platform that leverages AI to simplify access to social safety net programs and healthcare resources, mobilizing hospitals, health plans, and communities to ensure that no one is left behind.
Glacier Nation | Marcela Fernandez Barreneche (Aspen Colombia) | South America
Around the world, glaciers are disappearing, threatening the water systems that sustain more than 1.9 billion people. Environmental conservationist Marcela Fernández Barreneche is responding to this crisis through Glacier Nation, a global network that restores high-mountain ecosystems and raises awareness of glacier loss. What began in Colombia has grown into a movement active in more than 12 countries, combining ecological restoration, scientific monitoring, and community engagement.
YouthPOWER | Ruchi Gupta (Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship) | India
India is home to the world’s largest youth population, yet opportunity remains deeply unequal across India’s roughly 800 districts, where most young people will live their lives. Civic and thought leader Ruchi Gupta is addressing this gap through YouthPOWER, a flagship platform of the Future of India Foundation and India’s only platform that defines youth opportunity, measures it, and makes it actionable by linking local outcomes to elected representatives and district action.
Freedmen Heirs Foundation | Seanicaa Edwards Herron (Aspen Food Leaders Fellowship) | United States
In the US, Black farming families face persistent barriers in accessing the economic infrastructure they need to thrive across generations. Recognizing the unique challenges they face, Seanicaa Edwards Herron founded Freedmen Heirs Foundation to build the market and financial infrastructure necessary for farmers historically excluded from opportunity to achieve long-term economic resilience and build generational wealth.
200MillionTrees | Dr. Ibraheem Dooba (Africa Leadership Initiative – West Africa) | Nigeria
Across Northern Nigeria, thousands lose their lives to farmer–herder conflict and malnutrition each year. Multidisciplinary leader Dr. Ibraheem Dooba works across technology, education, agriculture, finance, and media to create solutions that benefit both underserved communities and the environment. He is addressing this crisis with 200MillionTrees, a community-driven initiative that restores degraded land, reduces conflict, and improves nutrition through large-scale tree planting.
Journeymen Triangle | Jordan Bowman (Weave: The Social Fabric Project) | United States
Adolescent boys are falling behind in school, withdrawing from relationships, and navigating the passage to adulthood without the mentorship and community they need to thrive. Youth development leader Jordan Bowman is rebuilding that foundation through Journeymen, which mentors boys into men of integrity through intergenerational mentoring circles, intentional rites of passage, and communities of belonging that forge emotional maturity, resilience, and purpose.
