Leadership Lessons

Michael O’Neil, Health Innovators Fellow, has spent the past two decades reshaping how people engage with their own health. As Founder and CEO of GetWellNetwork, he pioneered the field of Interactive Patient Care, creating technology that gives millions of patients around the world a meaningful voice in their care journey.

After more than a decade in public office, the question isn’t whether the work continues—it’s how. Tony Vargas, Civil Society Fellow, shares how humility, bridge-building, and values-driven leadership have shaped his journey, from elected office to the work he continues today.

Real change doesn’t always start big. Sometimes it starts with one idea — and an unwillingness to look away. Mandy Powers Norrell, Liberty Fellow, has spent her life serving the communities that shaped her, passing legislation that helped children recognize and report sexual abuse — proof that once you do one hard thing, an avalanche of change can follow.

Standing Firm on Shifting Ground: The New Rules of Principled Leadership: a briefer from the 2025 Resnick Aspen Action Forum

Aspen Ideas: Economy examined how our rapidly aging population is reshaping the way we think about work, savings, caregiving, and quality of life, highlighting the urgent need to prepare for longer, healthier lives with greater security, dignity, and opportunity for all.

Catalina Martínez Coral is a leading force for reproductive rights across Latin America and the Caribbean, guided by her belief that “the political is personal, and the personal is political.” As Vice President at the Center for Reproductive Rights, her leadership has driven landmark victories—from decriminalizing abortion in Colombia to securing justice for women and girls across the region.

Simi Nwogugu’s journey reflects a bold commitment to helping African girls rise — equipping them with agency, protection, and leadership skills to rewrite their futures.

Navyn Salem launched Edesia to combat global malnutrition, creating life-saving foods that have helped millions of children survive and thrive.

Aspen Ideas: Economy explored how expanding access to ownership can strengthen wealth, stability, and opportunity for more people.

Aspen Ideas: Economy highlighted how cultural institutions, creators, and new technologies are redefining what it means to participate in the creative economy.