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.

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Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago Announces New Round of Speakers Focused on Elevating Climate and Energy Solutions 

Leaders include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Microsoft CSO Melanie Nakagawa, PsiQuantum CEO Jeremy O’Brien, and writer, model, and organizer Cameron Russell

Chicago, IL, June 26, 2025 – Aspen Ideas: Climate today announced the latest round of speakers confirmed for its Chicago convening taking place July 20-22, 2025. The event, presented by the Aspen Institute in partnership with the Chicago Climate Corps, will bring together voices from all backgrounds and fields of expertise.  

New speakers announced today include:

  • Wendy Abrams, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Eleven Eleven Foundation
  • Mayor Justin Bibb, City of Cleveland 
  • Naomi Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Blacks in Green
  • Governor Mike Dunleavy, Alaska
  • Eiren Caffall, Author, St. Martin’s Press
  • Christy George, President and Chief Executive Officer, Intersect Illinois
  • Georgie Geraghty, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy
  • Arunbha Ghosh, Founder-CEO, Council on Energy, Environment, and Water
  • Governor Jay Inslee, Former Governor of Washington; Principal, The Inslee Group
  • Sarah Kapnick, Global Head of Climate Advisory, J.P. Morgan
  • Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Airbus
  • Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development, Second City
  • Adam Met, Executive Director, Planet Reimagined; Musician
  • Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Microsoft
  • Jeremy O’Brien, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, PsiQuantum
  • Baker Perry, Professor, Climatology, University of Nevada, Reno; National Geographic Explorer
  • Tony Reames, Tishman Professor of Environmental Justice, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan
  • Cameron Russell, Writer, Model, Organizer
  • Andrey Shuvalov, Vice President, Energy Transition & Integration, Shell USA Inc.
  • Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
  • Andrea Yodsampa, Chief Executive Officer, DEPLOY/US

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Click here to see the complete list.

AICC will take place at the Salt Shed and the Convene in Willis Tower, featuring main stage keynotes, breakout panel, workshop, and roundtable sessions, tours of local and historic resilience points of interest, as well as fashion, food, art, and music activities. The event is designed to offer the public a chance to interact, learn, and collaborate with thinkers and do-ers whose actions are critical to addressing our collective future around the realities of a changing climate.

Members of the media are invited to apply for a press credential here.


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The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. 

Chicago Climate Corps (C3) unites rising climate leaders aged 25-40 to accelerate regional climate action. C3 is helping to establish Chicago and the Midwest as a global hub for climate innovation and leadership.