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

Kirsten Baesler

Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education

Kirsten Baesler is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Guided by the wellbeing of children, she is committed to working with families and states to provide each child with what they need to reach their highest levels of success. Kirsten is a passionate advocate for developing young people as citizens who have respect, courage, compassion, integrity, a sense of responsibility, and appreciation of the unique nature of this great nation. Previously, she served as the state school superintendent and the administrator of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Before taking office in January 2013, Superintendent Baesler had a 24-year career in the Bismarck public school system – the state’s largest school district – as a vice principal, districtwide technology integration specialist, library media specialist, elementary teacher, and instructional assistant. Assistant Secretary Baesler is a native of Flasher, N.D. She lives in Washington, D,C., and has three adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters.