Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder

Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago Announces New Round of Speakers for 2026 Event

Speaker lineup expands across Health, Adaptation, Infrastructure, and Trust programming tracks with a deep focus on Midwest innovation and national solutions.

Chicago, IL, June 3, 2026 — The Aspen Institute today announced an extensive new round of speakers for Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago, taking place July 20-22, 2026.

These additions join a growing lineup of global leaders, policymakers, and cultural icons convening across Chicago, including the University of Chicago Rubenstein Forum, Convene at Willis Tower, and the Shedd Aquarium. The expanded roster brings deep expertise to the event’s four core program pillars: Health, Adaptation, Infrastructure, and Trust.

Media are invited to apply for press credentials here. 

The newly announced 2026 speakers include:

  • George David Banks, President and CEO, American Council for Capital Formation
  • Manish Bapna, President and CEO, NRDC
  • Jake Barton, Designer and Founder, Local Projects
  • Benji Backer, Founder and CEO, Nature is Nonpartisan
  • Rick Bayless, Chef & Entrepreneur
  • Sue Biniaz, Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, University of Chicago
  • Jason Bordoff, Founding Director, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University SIPA
  • Douglas Brinkley, Author and Professor of History, Rice University
  • Mark Chambers, Executive Director, Terreform ONE
  • Tom Chi, Managing Partner, At One Ventures
  • Peter Colavito, Executive Director, Invest in Our Future
  • Abre’ Conner, Director, Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, NAACP
  • Kristina Costa, Managing Director, Policy & Strategic Engagement, University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth
  • Zach Dell, Co-founder and CEO, Base Power
  • Dorothy Fortenberry, Screenwriter, Playwright and Essayist
  • Alaina Harkness, CEO, Current
  • Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
  • Sarah Kapnick, Global Head of Climate Advisory, J.P. Morgan
  • David Keith, Professor and Founding Faculty Director, University of Chicago Climate Systems Engineering Initiative
  • Corley Kenna, Chief Impact and Communications Officer, Patagonia
  • Noelle Laing, Chief Investment Officer, Builders Vision
  • Kate Marvel, Author/Astrophysicist
  • Colette Pichon Battle, Co-founder and Vision & Initiatives Partner, Taproot Earth
  • Rich Powell, President & CEO, CEBA
  • Melissa Roberts, Founder and Executive Director, American Flood Coalition
  • Cliff Rome, Chef
  • Adam Semel, CEO and Co-Founder, Ourea Energy
  • Patrick Taylor Smith, Resident Fellow, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, United States Naval Academy
  • Sarah Stegner, Co-Owner and Chef, Prairie Grass Cafe
  • Tracy Stone-Manning, President, The Wilderness Society
  • Ryan Strode, Environmental Program Director, Crown Family Philanthropies
  • Kay Wilson Stallings, EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer, Sesame Workshop

For more information on the event, program tracks, and to view the complete list of speakers, please visit: https://www.aspenideas.org/pages/aspen-ideas-climate  

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

###