Upcoming Events

Washington, D.C.

Susan and John Klein Book Series featuring John Lechner on Death is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare
Wednesday, April 9
5:30-7:00 p.m. ET. Join us for an evening discussion with John Lechner, where he will share insights from his groundbreaking book Death Is Our Business, offering an in-depth look at the Wagner Group’s rise, its operations across conflict zones, and its transformation from a covert Russian military force into a powerful global actor reshaping geopolitics and business.
Register here

New York, NY

Aspen Words: 2025 Literary Prize Ceremony
Wednesday, April 23
6:30-7:30 p.m. ET. Aspen Words is proud to unveil the shortlist for the 2025 Aspen Words Literary Prize! This year’s finalists—featuring four gripping novels and one powerful short story collection—tackle some of today’s most urgent social issues. From identity and faith to dispossession, immigration, erasure, and slavery, these works explore the complexities of our world with profound insight and unflinching honesty.  Join us at a special awards ceremony at The Morgan Library in New York City. The event will be live-streamed and feature a conversation with the finalists, moderated by essayist, broadcaster, and critic Bilal Qureshi.
Register here

Aspen, CO

Socrates Program: 2025 Spring Seminars
Friday, March 28 – Monday, March 31
Three unique thematic seminars on subjects ranging from “Who Knows What’s Best for You?”, “Will We Ever Trust the News Again?”, and “Can Democracy Survive the 21st Century?”
Visit Socrates Program for more information.
Register here

Salon: The Future of Media & Empowering Democracy in the Digital Age
Tuesday, April 1
In collaboration with the Socrates Program and Aspen Digital
5:00-7:00 pm MT Join Sewell Chan, executive editor of Columbia Journalism Review; Vivian Schiller, Executive Director of Aspen Digital; and Breeze Richardson, Executive Director of Aspen Public Radio; for a discussion on the future of journalism. They will explore challenges such as diminishing trust, digital transformation, and the call for greater transparency. This dialogue will examine the media’s evolving role in democracy and how it empowers communities. As part of the Aspen Institute’s mission to help build the pillars of societal trust, Aspen Digital is shaping the future of media to ensure it is accessible, safe, and inclusive.
AT CAPACITY – please email dominique.wojcik@aspeninstitute.org to be placed on the waitlist. 

Advancing Women’s Health Series: The New Menopause Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts
Thursday, June 12
Generously sponsored by Meredith Loring & Sami Inkinen
6:00-7:00 p.m. MT. Featuring Dr. Mary Claire Haver, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and author of “The New Menopause,” in conversation with Soledad Hurst, philanthropist and former on-air reporter/anchor for Bloomberg TV. Drawing from the latest scientific research and insights from her book, Dr. Haver will explore the complex and often misunderstood transition of perimenopause and menopause. She will discuss the profound effects of hormonal shifts on metabolism, heart health, brain function, bone density, and overall well-being.
The event will be held in the McNulty Room at the Doerr-Hosier Center on campus. Please note, there will be no reception prior to the event.
Register here

San Francisco, CA

Project Play Summit 2025
Monday, March 24 & Tuesday, March 25
Presented by ESPN
Join Project Play, the signature initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley for The Project Play Summit, the nation’s premier gathering of leaders building healthy children and communities through sports. On March 24-25, the Summit heads to the Bay Area — the first time the event has been hosted on the West Coast and a world-renowned center for innovation, just the kind of setting leaders from across sectors need to unlock the ideas and innovations to better serve youth. The theme this year is The Path to 63X30, or how we can help the nation get 63% of youth playing sports by the year 2030. The Summit sells out each year, so don’t miss your chance to join the best room in sports.
Register here
*Make sure to select the “Nonprofit Registration” option and enter the exclusive Aspen Society discount code “2550PPSummit” to receive the lowest rate

Salon: The U.S.-India Partnership: Strengthening Democratic Ties and Expanding Economic Investment
Tuesday, April 8
Generously hosted by Asha Jadeja and underwritten by Bernstein Private Wealth Management
5:30-8:00 p.m. PT. Join for a discussion on the evolving partnership between the U.S. and India featuring Meenakshi Narula Ahamed, author, “A Matter Of Trust: India-US Relations from Truman to Trump;” Karl Sprules, COO, Alliance Bernstein; Lakshmanan Chidambaram (CTL), President and Head of Americas Leadership Council, Tech Mahindra Americas Head, Mahindra Group; Ambassador (ret.) Atul Keshap, President of the U.S.-India Business Council, President of the U.S. Bangladesh Business Council, and Senior Vice President of South Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and others. Focusing on the critical role of democratic ties and expanding economic investment, panelists will examine the growing strategic relationship, with key insights into collaboration in trade, technology, global security, and their impact on developing capital markets. They will explore how the two democracies are strengthening their bonds amid global challenges, reflecting the Aspen Institute’s commitment to exploring the intersection of intersection of democracy, economics, and global cooperation.
Register here

Los Angeles, CA

Salon: Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Navigating Los Angeles’ Future
Wednesday, March 26
5:30-7:30 p.m PT. Join us for a conversation that comes at a pivotal moment following recent wildfires in Los Angeles and honors the Aspen Institute’s 75-year legacy of being responsive to the issues of the day and facilitating discourse and solution-building. Supported by the WHH Foundation and moderated by Alyson Sattler, this conversation will explore fire prevention, land stewardship, and urban resilience, balancing immediate recovery efforts with long-term strategies as California faces increasingly intense fire seasons. The experts, including Bill Deverell and Stephanie Pincetl, will lend insights into historical factors, current vulnerabilities, and the role of policy, philanthropy, and cross-sector collaboration in shaping a more sustainable, fire-resilient Los Angeles.
Register here

Salon: The Power of Storytelling
Friday, April 11
In partnership with Aspen Words
5:30-7:00 p.m. PT. Join celebrated author Percival Everett, National Book Award-winning author of James, a reimagining of the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, in conversation with Sam Fragoso for a captivating discussion on the power of storytelling. Everett will explore his creative process, shedding light on how he bridges genres, cultures, and histories, offering unique insights into his artistic approach.
Register here

Salon: Unlocking the Secrets of Black Holes with Nobel Laureate
Wednesday, October 29
In partnership with the Science and Society Program
5:30-7:00 p.m PT.  Join Dr. Andrea Ghez, 2020 Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist, as she explores her groundbreaking research on supermassive black holes. Her work has transformed the idea of a black hole at our galaxy’s center from a possibility to an established certainty, providing the most compelling evidence yet for these exotic objects. Her discoveries offer new insights into how black holes grow, influence their host galaxies, and shape our understanding of gravity in extreme environments. As part of the Aspen Institute’s 75-year legacy of fostering inquiry and discovery, Aaron Mertz, Executive Director of the Science and Society Program, will provide opening remarks, connecting this discussion to the Institute’s broader mission and impact today.
Register here

Virtual

Aspen Society New Member Orientation: Spring 2025
Tuesday, April 29
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET. This will be an opportunity for you to meet members of our team, meet other members who have recently joined, and become better acquainted with the Aspen Society. This conversation will take place on Zoom, so that all attendees can participate face-to-face.
Register here

Aspen Society New Member Orientation: Fall 2025
Tuesday, September 23
7:00-8:00 p.m. ET. This will be an opportunity for you to meet members of our team, meet other members who have recently joined, and become better acquainted with the Aspen Society. This conversation will take place on Zoom, so that all attendees can participate face-to-face.
Register here