Judy Samuelson is the founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute Business and Society Program and author of Six New Rules of Business: Creating Real Value in a Changing World (Berrett-Koehler, 2021). Under her leadership, the program has led influential initiatives including a ten-year campaign to disrupt Milton Friedman’s narrative on corporate purpose, the Aspen Principles of Long-Term Value Creation, and a partnership with Korn Ferry to rethink executive compensation. Judy previously held positions in legislative affairs in California, banking in New York’s garment district, and served as director of the Ford Foundation’s office of program-related investments. She is a Bellagio Fellow, a Director of the Financial Health Network and Chair Emeritus of Net Impact. Judy holds a B.A. from UCLA and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Management.

Authored by Judy:

From Hopes and Dreams to Action
Blog Posts

From Hopes and Dreams to Action

Judy Samuelson reflects on leadership, hope, and Climate Week.

Business & Society Summit 2026 – Clarity, Conviction, and the Stories that Guide Us
Blog Posts

Business & Society Summit 2026 – Clarity, Conviction, and the Stories that Guide Us

Judy Samuelson reflects on the 5th Aspen Business & Society Summit and her major takeaways.

Aspen Ideas Fest ’26 and America @250—My Moments on the Mountain
Blog Posts

Aspen Ideas Fest ’26 and America @250—My Moments on the Mountain

Judy Samuelson shares her highlights from the 2026 Aspen Ideas Fest.

CEO Pay: Why Are We Stuck? A Collective Action Problem with Big Consequences
Blog Posts

CEO Pay: Why Are We Stuck? A Collective Action Problem with Big Consequences

Business is a team sport, but even with all the noise in recent years about “stakeholders” we pay CEOs as if they are the only ones who matter.

Capitalism Isn’t Stuck. We Are.
Blog Posts

Capitalism Isn’t Stuck. We Are.

It will be individual business leaders who take risks and stand up for American ideals who will help us reframe the conversation about capitalism. It’s time for something new.