Financial Stability

Financial stability means having enough resources to comfortably afford everyday life, build savings, and withstand financial shocks. To help households reach this level of stability, Aspen FSP convenes cross-sector leaders to develop tools, elevate insights, and spur policy and market innovation. Together, we aim to close benefit gaps, enhance state capacity, and build integrated, responsive, and modernized systems of public and workplace benefits.

Financial Security Program

Latest Posts

Get the latest on our financial stability work.

Publications

Learning from Young Adults to Improve Public Benefits for All

Nearly one in five young adults experience poverty. Public benefits can help them afford daily life as they establish themselves.

May 13, 2025

Jason Ewas presents at the Aspen Leadership Forum on Retirement Savings.
Blog Posts

How the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion Can Scale Emergency Savings

The U.S. Treasury’s Strategy notes the need for greater coordination among the private sector and the government to scale emergency savings.

May 5, 2025

Blog Posts

How the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion Can Improve Public Benefit Delivery

The Strategy outlines opportunities to improve benefits delivery, particularly through government provided or purchased financial products and services.

February 3, 2025

Post-its cover a table
Blog Posts

Capturing the Impact of Public Benefits Coordination

Learn about the impact 400 leaders, representing 29 states and D.C., had on improving public benefits delivery.

September 12, 2024

Photo of a journey map
Blog Posts

Setting a Vision for a More Integrated System of Public and Workplace Benefits

This blog post summarizes the key takeaways from the Idea Refinery and points the way toward a more integrated system.

May 29, 2024

The Aspen Institute State Benefits Leadership Cohort

The Aspen Institute State Benefits Leadership Cohort is a solution-oriented community of practice and peer network of state executives responsible for administering public benefits and committed to modernizing benefits delivery. Cohort members meet virtually and in person to share values-based leadership practices and to workshop emerging innovative delivery practices.

State Benefits Leadership Cohort Members

Sarah Adelman

Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Human Services

Jessica Amaya Hoffman

Deputy Director of Self Sufficiency Programs, Oregon Department of Human Services

Robert Asaro-Angelo

Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Carl Ayers

Deputy Commissioner of Human Services, Virginia Department of Social Services

Joe Barela

Executive Director, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Andrew Barnes

Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

Charlie Brereton

Director, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Corrin Buchanan

Undersecretary, California Health & Human Services Agency

Jeffrey Cartmell

Director, Oklahoma Human Services

Gillian Gutierrez

Senior Advisor/Director, New Jersey Office of Unemployment Insurance Modernization

Kim Johnson

Secretary, California Health & Human Services Agency

Natasha Johnson

Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Division of Family Development

David Knezek

Chief Operating Officer, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Angela Morse

Director, Virginia Benefit Programs Division

Fariborz Pakseresht

Director, Oregon Department of Human Services

Angie Rodgers

Deputy Director of Programs, Arizona Department of Economic Security

Deborah Smith

Deputy Director, Oklahoma Human Services

Monica Stone

Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Community Access and Eligibility Division

Jennifer Troia

Director, California Department of Social Services

Liesl Wendt

Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Human Services

James Williams

Commissioner, Virginia Department of Social Services

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