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 Initial Speaker Lineup for 2026

Al Roker, Kate Marvel, Rainn Wilson, and Rick Bayless Headline Roster for July Summit.

Chicago, IL, May 7, 2026 — The Aspen Institute today announced the first round of speakers for Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago, taking place July 20-22, 2026. Now in its second year in Chicago, the 2026 convening will bring together global leaders and local experts to showcase scalable climate solutions. 

Plenaries, breakout panels, workshops, roundtables and off-campus excursions will take place across three days and three venues. Members of the media are invited to apply for press credentials to attend Aspen Ideas: Climate here.

Programming will be focused around four core tracks: Health, Adaptation, Infrastructure, and Trust, with a special focus on how economic opportunity, technology, and innovation present themselves across these areas. 

The initial 2026 speaker lineup includes:

  • Al Roker, Co-Host, TODAY
  • Kate Marvel, Author/Astrophysicist
  • Rainn Wilson, Actor/Activist
  • Tom Skilling, Meteorologist, WGN-TV
  • Valerie Jarrett, CEO, Obama Foundation
  • Elizabeth Dunn, Professor, Social Psychology, University of British Columbia
  • Robinson Meyer, Founding Executive Editor, Heatmap News
  • Rick Bayless, Chef & Entrepreneur
  • Benji Backer, Founder & CEO, Nature is Nonpartisan

This is the first of several speaker announcements to be made in the coming weeks. For more information and to view the growing list of participants, please visit: https://www.aspenideas.org/attend/climate/speakers.

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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. 

Chicago Climate Corps (C3) unites rising climate leaders aged 25-40 to accelerate regional climate action. C3 is helping to establish Chicago and the Midwest as a global hub for climate innovation and leadership.