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.
The entrenched challenges within the finance industry and society require systems-level solutions — solutions that demand courageous leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and a clear understanding of how industry inefficiencies are linked to societal inequities.
Each year, using the Aspen Institute’s method of text-based dialogue, FLF selects 20-24 senior finance leaders to embark on a two-year journey of intensive discourse and reflection, inspiring them to cultivate the courage, collaboration, and insight necessary to address these challenges.
The two-year seminar journey consists of four week-long seminars that provide Fellows the opportunity to reflect on their leadership values, the concept of the ‘Good Society,’ leading in an increasingly global age, leadership legacy, and opportunities and tensions within finance.
Through penetrating dialogue and deep introspection, Fellows cultivate a lasting commitment to values-driven leadership and embrace their responsibility and opportunity as industry leaders to use finance as a force for societal good.
“The Aspen Fellowship unlocked for me a lot more meaning and purpose in my life and has compelled me to act differently. I am particularly passionate about women’s entrepreneurship. I’ve developed a much stronger voice by embracing it through my Fellowship venture, Ladies Who Launch, enabling other women to have this same experience and taking a much bigger stand in places where I believe women are discriminated against.” – Sarah Friar, CFO, OpenAI | San Francisco, CA, USA
Our Approach
Transform leaders
We engage them in a journey of personal exploration that cultivates and sharpens their values.
Catalyze action
We support the launch of impact ventures that stretch Fellows’ leadership and creates positive change across the finance ecosystem and global communities.
Forge a global community
We bring together like-hearted leaders committed to using finance as a force for societal good.
The Experience
Seminars
Fellows participate in four transformative seminars over two years. The seminars empower them to cement the values and leadership skills required to develop and scale solutions to challenges in or connected to the finance industry.
Peer Accountability
Fellows commit to supporting, holding accountable, and driving impact with their fellow Fellows during and after the two years.
Leadership Venture
Fellows turn their reflection into action by launching a leadership impact venture to bring market-based solutions to critical societal challenges.
The Fellowship supports each Fellow’s lifelong leadership journey and commitment to solving complex societal issues and connects like-minded leaders across the Fellowship.
“The Aspen Fellowship has challenged me to look at the world through a different lens, one for giving back and contributing to society and my community. The experience provided me with the impetus, guidance, and support to kickstart my venture, to put ideas into action and move it forward.” – Danny Lee, Partner, Blue Pool Capital | Hong Kong
