Leadership

Developing Leaders, Driving Impact

Leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a practice. At the Aspen Institute, we connect and develop leaders across sectors, geographies, and generations, building a community of individuals committed to addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Through dialogue, reflection, and shared learning, we cultivate the skills, relationships, and perspectives leaders need to navigate complexity, foster trust, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Aspen Institute Leadership Seminars

Aspen Institute Leadership Seminars provide a transformative space for reflection, dialogue, and growth, equipping leaders with the insights and skills to navigate complexity.

How Higher Ed is Tackling Climate Change

This is Planet Ed‘s Higher Ed Climate Action Plan is a roadmap to support comprehensive climate action across higher education with recommendations for different stakeholders to catalyze and scale these efforts around the country.

Women and Girls are a Critical Climate Solution

At Aspen Ideas: Climate 2024, women leaders came together to discuss the burden of climate change on women and girls—particularly in securing resources like food and water—and how their innovation and ingenuity can be major contributors to climate solutions.

Navigating The Rural Green Economy

As we envision a green economy for the future, what are the concerns of rural residents? The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group shares some essential lessons for the green economy of the future coming out of rural communities across America.

Upcoming Events

Through immersive seminars, dynamic discussions, and cross-sector convenings, we create spaces for reflection, dialogue, and action. These gatherings challenge assumptions, foster meaningful connections, and support leaders in navigating an ever-changing world. Explore our upcoming events.

Aspen Institute Leadership Experiences, Designed for Your Organization

Aspen Institute Custom Leadership Seminars offer tailored experiences that foster reflection, dialogue, and growth. Designed for organizations and teams, these seminars cultivate purpose-driven leadership, trust, and collaboration, equipping participants with the mindset and skills to navigate complexity and drive meaningful impact.

Latest in Leadership

Leadership is about action, not just position. Explore how Aspen cultivates leaders who think deeply, act boldly, and collaborate across differences to solve complex challenges. Learn more.

Maureen Conway discusses the unique challenges and opportunities that come from creating large-scale systemic change in our economic and business structures.
Blog Posts Videos

In Session: Maureen Conway

Maureen Conway discusses the unique challenges and opportunities that come from creating large-scale systemic change in our economic and business structures.

Colleges Need to Earn Back the Trust They’ve Lost. It Can Be Done.  
Blog Posts

Colleges Need to Earn Back the Trust They’ve Lost. It Can Be Done.  

As public confidence in higher education reaches historic lows, colleges must demonstrate that their credentials are worth the investment. From improving academic programs to reducing costs and better supporting working students, here are practical ways colleges can rebuild trust and deliver greater value.

The Pendulum Strikes at Corruption
Blog Posts

The Pendulum Strikes at Corruption

The most consequential message to business from these midterms is that the costs of corruption are being borne by a public whose patience has run out.

Volunteer for the Hard Stuff
Blog Posts

Volunteer for the Hard Stuff

Economic Mobility Fellow Tammy Thieman shares how a strong inner compass allows her to lead with courage.

Better Arguments

Learn the key principles of civil and productive arguing in this 1-hour webinar.

Wed Feb 24, 2027, 9:00am – 10:00am PST

2027 Socrates Summer Seminars

The Socrates Program is excited to host our annual Summer Seminars this July 23rd-26th! The seminar tuition is $3,000. Limited scholarships are available by application.

Jul 23 – 26, 2027, 12:00am MDT
Summer Seminars

The Pendulum Strikes at Corruption

The most consequential message to business from these midterms is that the costs of corruption are being borne by a public whose patience has run out.

November 5, 2026

Volunteer for the Hard Stuff

Economic Mobility Fellow Tammy Thieman shares how a strong inner compass allows her to lead with courage.

November 4, 2026

Small Wins, Systems Change, and the Challenge of Leading from the Inside

How do we change systems we help sustain? What does it mean to lead within a system that feels not only flawed, but increasingly frayed?

November 4, 2026

Beyond the Game: Advocating For Youth Sports

This 1-hour workshop will train sports lovers to advocate for change in their communities, adding effective, actionable policy tools to their arsenal.

Wed Dec 2, 2026, 11:00am – 12:00pm PST
A zoomed-in snapshot of 4 kids' legs with their soccer cleats and knee high socks walking across a soccer field.

Business, Democracy, and the Midterms

Judy Samuelson shares three questions that boards and executives need to address for the long-term health of society.

October 29, 2026

Economic Opportunity is a Human Challenge, Even in the Age of AI

At last week’s Aspen Ideas: Economy in Tulsa, the tension between AI’s potential benefits and the pitfalls for economic opportunity was unavoidable.

October 22, 2026