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
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Becoming A Fellow

Introduction

The Fellowship has opened nominations for its 2026 cohort—FLF Class 9. Those wishing to be nominated or to nominate a candidate should complete the 2026 Nomination Form by Sunday, January 11, 2026. Click here for more information.

Each year, the Fellowship selects a Class of ~23 Fellows through a highly competitive and selective nominations process.

FLF nominees are accomplished leaders in finance, generally between the ages of 35 and 50 and proficient in English, who are positioned to drive transformative impact in the industry and society. The program seeks individuals who leverage their influence and unique perspectives—shaped by diverse backgrounds in gender, race, geography, financial expertise, and lived experience—to effect meaningful change using finance as a force for good. 

From institutional investors and asset managers to bankers and asset owners, fintech founders and impact investors to CFOs and regulators, FLF Fellows represent a diverse cross-section of savers, stewards, deployers, and intermediaries of capital across the Global Finance Ecosystem:

Characteristics

Impactful Fellows

  • Demonstrated Leadership: An accomplished and recognized senior leader within—or adjacent to—the global finance industry. The nominee holds a prominent position and a proven track record of driving meaningful, difficult change across their spheres of influence in the industry and society.
  • Inflection Point: At a personal or professional inflection point—a moment of readiness for open-hearted transformation. The nominee is prepared to pause, reflect on their values and leadership, reconsider what impact and success mean to them, and shift their focus from individual advancement toward creating impact through finance.
  • Fellowship: A willingness to engage deeply, reflect open-heartedly, and build authentic, accountable relationships with Fellow peers. The nominee demonstrates the capacity to be a caring, vulnerable, and constructive presence—both during the two-year seminar phase and as an active member of the Fellowship community thereafter.
  • Courageous Action: Ready to confront the societal challenges they are uniquely positioned to influence through their role, background, and network in finance. The nominee seeks to use their platform and partnerships to catalyze meaningful change—driving their organization and broader industry in building the Good Society.

Fellowship Commitment

To be considered for selection, nominees must commit to participate fully in all four Class 9 seminars:

  1. Challenge of Leadership: October 25–30, 2026 (Aspen, Colorado)
  2. The Aspen Seminar: June 13–18, 2027 (Location TBD; outside U.S.)
  3. Leading in a Global Context: January–April 2028 (dates and locations vary based on preference and availability)
  4. Promise of Leadership: October 21–26, 2028 (Location TBD)


Seminar 1

The Challenge of Leadership focuses on the qualities of leadership necessary to master the forces of change. Fellows discuss their own challenges and develop criteria for effective, values-based leadership

Seminar 2

The Aspen Seminar explores the concept of “the good society” and the Fellow’s leadership role in making it a reality. Fellows present and discuss prospectuses for their ventures

Seminar 3

Leading in a Global Context explores the challenges of leading in an increasingly complex world. Fellows across the Aspen Global Leadership Network attend jointly

Seminar 4

The Promise of Leadership explores the concepts of legacy and life balance. Fellows share the progress achieved, challenges encountered, and lessons learned from their leadership projects

FLF Fellows commit to a lifetime of impact rooted in what drives them—their values, personal story, and the issues that matter most. Each Fellow brings a set of unique gifts, such as their networks, influence, expertise, and sensibilities, which naturally inform the shape and direction of their Impact Journey, a call to action embraced upon joining the Fellowship.

Impact Journeys (historically known as “venture projects”) take many forms and scales, but all are grounded in the use of finance as a tool to drive meaningful change within an organization, industry, or society.

MORE ON FELLOW VENTURES

The Nominations Process

If you have questions about the Class 9 process, please contact Kimi Phillips-Lohrmann or Clarke Fox. 

Identifying A Nominator

Candidates must be nominated by someone of their choosing, typically a trusted mentor, peer, or key stakeholder who can speak to their background, career accomplishments, values, and ability to transform themselves, the industry, and society.

Submit the Required Forms

To finalize a nomination for the 2026 class, nominees must ensure their nominators submit the Nomination Form by Sunday, January 11, 2026, though extensions beyond this deadline may be granted on a case-by-case basis with prior approval from Team FLF. The nominee must also complete the Candidate Confirmation Form—which they will receive in the automated email confirming receipt of their Nomination Form—to be considered for next steps in the process. 

Interview Process & Selection

With the nomination window closed, the FLF team reviews each nomination to create a shortlist of candidates for interviews with FLF leadership. After the interview period, ~23 nominees are selected to form the class mosaic.

Learn More

Contact us at [email protected].

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