Presidents and Chairmen of the Aspen Institute

  • Photo: Walter Paepcke

    Walter Paepcke, founder and first president of the Aspen Institute.

     

    Presidents

    The President is the chief executive officer of the Aspen Institute and reports directly to the Chairman and to the Board of Trustees. 

    2018-Present Dan Porterfield
    2003-2018 Walter Isaacson
    1999-9/1/2002 Elmer W. Johnson
    1997-1999 Charles B. Knapp
    1995-1997 David T. McLaughlin
    1994-1995 S. Frederick Starr
    1988-1994 David T. McLaughlin
    1986-1988 Colin W. Williams
    3/70-1986 Joseph E. Slater
    1967-1969 William F. Stevenson
    1963-1967 Alvin C. Eurich
    1957-1963 Robert O. Anderson
    1949-1957 Walter P. Paepcke

    Chairmen of the Board of Trustees

    The Chairman presides at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. 

    8/13/2022-Present Margot Pritzker
    4/16/2016-8/13/2022 James S. Crown
    11/7/2008-4/15/2016 Robert K. Steel
    8/5/2007-11/6/2008 William E. Mayer
    10/13/2006-8/5/2007 Leonard A. Lauder
    9/1/2006-10/13/2006 Robert K. Steel
    2000-8/31/2006 William E. Mayer
    1996-2000 Ann McLaughlin
    1995-1996 Berl Bernhard
    1994-1995 David T. McLaughlin
    1991-1994 Berl Bernhard
    1990-1991 John J. Phelan, Jr.
    1989-1990 Jack Clarke
    1988-1989 Thornton Bradshaw
    1987-1988 David T. McLaughlin
    1963-1987 Robert O. Anderson
    1957-1960 Walter P. Paepcke