Summer

at Aspen

A wise crack.

Inside every pistachio shell is a tasty pearl of wisdom. A good source of fiber and protein,
each heart-healthy morsel is perfect for those who snack mindfully. Crunchy, healthy
and fun, W nderful Pistachios make eating right a delicious, nutritious no-brainer.
Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat
and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content. 2016 Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds LLC. All Rights Reserved.
WONDERFUL, GET CRACKIN, the Package Design and accompanying logos are registered trademarks of Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds LLC or its affiliates. WP15387

getcrackin.com

W H AT E V E R Y O U R V I S I O N ,
W E L L F I N D T H E V I E W.

Dramatic Downvalley

Soaring Starwood

Alluring Aspen

Serene Sopris

From the Pass to Pyramid, Red Mountain to Reudi, Sopris to Stillwater, when you
know the kind of life you want to live, well find you the perfect place to live it.

E V E R Y T H I N G , E X P E R T LY.

620 East Hyman Ave, Suite 103

Aspen, Colorado 81611

970 925 8088

palladiumaspen.com

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

CONTENTS

18

30
76

29

21

DEPARTMENTS
6

| W H AT I S T H E I N ST I T U T E ?

13 | A R O U N D T H E I N ST I T U T E

The Institute launches the Paepcke Society; Salinas and

Nathanson Scholars head to Aspen; Wye Fellows balance science

with the humanities; Project Play gets kids moving; Negin Farsad
makes white people laugh; the United State of Women lands in
Washington; and much more.

30 | A S P E N S E C U R I T Y F O R U M : G LO B A L

At the Aspen Security Forum: Global in London, FBI Director

James Comey spoke about the digitalization of terrorism.
70 | FAC E S

Behind the scenes at the Institutes events.
80 | INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

Aspen Institute Mxico hosts political and economic forums in
Mexico City and Monterrey; Aspen Institute Romania and
Kyiv team up for a regional focus on Moldova, Romania, and
Ukraine; and Aspen Institute Kyiv holds its official launch event.
82 | FAC TS

Get to know the Institutes programs.
96 | CO N N E C T W I T H U S

Contact our program directors; get in touch on social media.
100 | PA R T I N G S H OT

Theres no such thing as bad weather in Aspen.

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

T HXX
E JOURNAL OF IDEAS
66 | DESTINATION UNKNOWN
The 2016 election cycle has been unprecedentedupending
conventional wisdom, bucking trends, and at times defying belief.
Social media, extreme voices on cable TV, and intractability in
Congress have all polarized the electorate and made politics seem
like a blood sport rather than a platform for civil action. And
when fear and resentment drive the conversation, we all lose.
Its no wonder more and more Americans consider themselves
independents. Dan Glickman looks at what the major parties
need to do to resonate with votersrather than drive them away.
68 | O N E P E R S O N , O N E VOT E , N O B A R R I E R S
Ever since the Supreme Court effectively gutted the Voting
Rights Act, the United States has experienced renewed interest
in electoral systems. While some states are experimenting with
automatic or online registration to increase voters ballot access,
many others are throwing up barriersfrom strict voter-ID laws
to a dearth of polling placesthat prevent easy voting access.
But Michael Klein says theres a single, simple solution: a new
amendment to the Constitution.
70 | YO U R B R A I N O N B A B I E S
New neuroimaging studies reveal the potent changes that
occur in new parents brains that propel them to care for their
infantsoften at the expense of their own well-being. But such
a fundamental reorganization of adult brain behavior is also a
time of distinct vulnerability. Some parents may have the opposite
reaction to these changesand respond poorly, get overwhelmed,
or become depressed. Sarah Enos Watamura explores how new
science could help those adults by igniting their parenting brains.

 John Dolan

How Will You

Shape the
Future?

M A J A D U B R U L
JEWELRY
325 East Hopkins, Aspen | www.majadubrul.com

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S
32 | IDEAS IN ASPEN

The 12th annual Aspen Ideas Festival saw some of the

worlds most dynamic intellects gather at the Institutes
Aspen Meadows campus for ten days of discussion, humor,
music, art, technologyand even sex. The festival started
off with Spotlight Health, which showcased the most
exciting developments in health, wellness, and brain science
before Ideas turned to topics like criminal-justice reform,
the 2016 election, Brexit, academia, the refugee crisis, and
race. And thats not to mention superheroes and extraterrestrials.

32

56 | IN ACTION

For four years, the newly renamed Resnick Aspen Action

Forum has brought together hundreds of determined and
creative leaders from across the Aspen Global Leadership
Network and the planet and given them heavy doses of
inspiration and supportand secured specific promises
from each participant to do nothing short of change the
world. Alison Decker visits this years Forum, whose
theme was Leading Toward Justice and which featured
remarks by Bryan Stevenson, of the Equal Justice Initiative.
Many of the 2016 action pledges addressed justicefrom
breaking up lawless gangs in Latin America to establishing
a truth and reconciliation collaborative focused on
Americas history of slavery.

56

60 | CALL SECURITY

The Aspen Security Forum is the countrys premier

platform to discuss threats to the United States. Officials
including White House counterterrorism adviser Lisa
Monaco, CIA Director John Brennan, and Homeland
Security Secretary Jeh Johnson examined internet
radicalization, the surge in European terrorism, Russian
cyberattacks, and nuclear foes. Zach St. Louis goes
behind the scenes and finds that with national threats
dispersed across many mediums, conducted in secret, and
often with no particular state backing, it is critical that
intelligence agencies and policymakers work together on
security policy.

60

ON THE COVER

62 | THROUGH THE LENS OF HUMANITY

Howard and Sheri Schultz led a public conversation

about the roles of compassion and principle in leadership.
The Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, explained how a
coffee company could have a conscience. And Sheri Schultz
described the responsive-giving model she has created for
the Schultz Family Foundation, which is as strategic as
it is generous.
4

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

62

Summer
at Aspen

Clockwise from top left: John

Kerry, Mitt Romney, Drew Gilpin
Faust, Susan Rice, Caitlyn
Jenner, DeRay Mckesson, Joe
Biden, Newt Gingrich, Loretta
Lynch, Laura Bush, Bryan
Stevenson, Christine Lagarde

STRONGER

IS CREATING HEALTHIER FUTURES FOR

KIDS TODAY AND GENERATIONS TO COME.
Its expert doctors and nurses providing the best

quality care, while advancing the cures of tomorrow

through world-class research. Its making treatments
less invasive, more effective and easier on patients and
families. And its being a leading voice for childrens
health needs across our community and beyond.
At Childrens National, we do everything in our power
to help every child be their happiest, healthiest self.
Because we dont just want kids to grow up. We want
them to GROW UP STRONGER.

1-888-884-BEAR

childrensnational.org

#GrowUpStronger
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Dan Bayer

WHAT IS THE ASPEN INSTITUTE?

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization

headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on
enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical
issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River
on Marylands Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has
an international network of partners.
6

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

NEW YORK CITY | WESTCHESTER | GREENWICH | NORTH FORK | THE HAMPTONS | ASPEN | LOS ANGELES | PALM BEACH | BOCA RATON | FORT LAUDERDALE | MIAMI

KNOWN GLOBALLY.
LOVED LOCALLY.
Since 1992, the agents of Joshua & Co. have consistently connected clients to
Aspens most exceptional properties. Now known as Douglas Elliman, youll find
the same knowledgeable agents, incomparable service and Aspen expertise, with
even greater global resources, recognition and ability to bring value to Aspen.

2016 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

In Aspen, and everywhere, we are

ASPEN: 970.925.8810

ELLIMAN.COM/COLORADO
630 EAST HYMAN AVENUE | 520 EAST DURANT AVENUE | 133 PROSPECTOR ROAD

IDEAS

SNOWMASS: 970.923.4700

7
16 KEARNS ROAD | SUITE 113

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

WHAT IS THE ASPEN INSTITUTE?

In a world where one-of-a-kind residences are genuinely hard to find, let us introduce
you to Dancing Bear Aspen. A place where an extraordinary life calls for an extraordinary
home that perfectly suits you. With exceptional amenities and services, and ten new
residences just completed, Dancing Bear is the ideal way to own in Aspen. Come see
for yourself in the heart of downtown.
Model Residence Open Daily | 970.236.1144 | www.dancingbearaspen.com/idea

ownership grants reciprocity throughout the timbers collection

Aspen Bachelor Gulch Cabo San Lucas Jupiter Kauai Maui Napa Scottsdale Snowmass

IDEAS

Sonoma Southern California Steamboat Springs Tuscany U.S. Virgin Islands Vail

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

This advertisement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase to residents of any state or country where registration is required and is not yet complete.

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

EDITOR'S LETTER

WALTER ISAACSON
President and Chief Executive Officer
ELLIOT F. GERSON
Executive Vice President, Policy and Public Programs; International Partners
NAMITA KHASAT
Executive Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services;
Chief Financial Officer; Corporate Treasurer
ERIC L. MOTLEY, PHD
Executive Vice President, Institutional Advancement;Corporate Secretary

Corby Kummer

Roman Cho

Summer is a time of discovery at Aspen. Of new people

whose interests and commitments parallel yours. Of new
collaborations you want to be part of. Of disciplines you never
thought might capture youneuroprosthetics, Pluto, or dark
matter and dinosaurs. And summer brings new voices to the
most urgent clefts in society.
My Aspen moment came one night crossing campus: I
noticed a cluster of telescopes in Anderson Park, looking like
an installation of mysterious vehicles from another planet.
People hovered around them as if hailing friendly aliens. Instead
everyone was looking at the cosmos with an astronomy group,
experimenting with time-lapse photography that lit the campus
only by energy traveling across light years. The pictures glowed
with an otherworldly perspective that would have enthralled
Maxfield Parrish or Hieronymus Bosch. As soon as it had come,
the gathering vanished, the telescopes folded and rolled away, the
enthusiasts back through the night landscape, united by a new
view of the world.
That's what happens every summer at the Institute. In our
first commemorative Summer at Aspen edition, youll find the
vast scope of Institute events, including the signature Aspen Ideas
Festival and Spotlight Health. The Resnick Aspen Action Forum
brought rising leaders together to discuss extending their success
to those who most need their imagination and ability. The Aspen
Security Forum gathered experts to examine global threats,
particularly from cyberattacks and online radicalization. And
when Sheri and Howard Schultz accepted the Institutes Public
Service Award for their work with opportunity youth and
veterans, the couple encapsulated what draws people to Aspen.
I love this place, Lifetime Trustee Leonard Lauder said at the
summer board meeting, where he, Lester Crown, William Mayer,
and Ann Korologos reviewed
challenging moments in
Institute leadership. Each
one of us felt we owned it,
and it was part of us. I hope
this issue will give you ample
evidence of why so many
people who come to the
Institute feel the same way.

PETER REILING
Executive Vice President, Leadership and Seminar Programs;
Executive Director, Henry Crown Fellowship Program
RAJIV VINNAKOTA
Executive Vice President, Youth & Engagement Programs
CINDY BUNISKI
Vice President, Administration; Executive Director, Aspen Wye Campus
JAMES M. SPIEGELMAN
Vice President, Chief External Affairs Officer; Deputy to the President
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHER Corby Kummer
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sacha Zimmerman
MANAGING EDITOR Alison Decker
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Douglas Farrar
SENIOR EDITORS Jean Morra, Tarek Rizk
ASSISTANT EDITORS Arica VanBoxtel, Keosha Varela
DESIGN DIRECTOR Katie Kissane-Viola
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paul Viola
EDITOR EMERITUS Jamie Miller
MANAGING DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS Pherabe Kolb
CONTACT EDITORIAL ideas.magazine@aspeninstitute.org
ADVERTISING Cynthia Cameron, 970.948.8177, adsales@aspeninstitute.org
GENERAL The Aspen Institute,
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036
202.736.5800, www.aspeninstitute.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN: James S. Crown
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Madeleine K. Albright, Paul F. Anderson, Mercedes T. Bass, Miguel Bezos,
Richard S. Braddock, Beth A. Brooke-Marciniak, William D. Budinger, William Bynum, Stephen
L. Carter, Troy Carter, Cesar Conde, Katie Couric, Andrea Cunningham, Kenneth L. Davis, John
Doerr, Thelma Duggin, Arne Duncan, Michael D. Eisner, L. Brooks Entwistle, Alan Fletcher,
Corinne Flick, Henrietta H. Fore, Ann B. Friedman, Juan Ramn de la Fuente, Henry Louis Gates
Jr., Mircea Geoana, David Gergen, Antonio Gracias, Patrick W. Gross, Arjun Gupta, Jane Harman,
Hayne Hipp, Mark Hoplamazian, Gerald D. Hosier, Robert J. Hurst, Walter Isaacson,
Natalie Jaresko, Salman Khan, Teisuke Kitayama, Michael Klein, David H. Koch,
Satinder K. Lambah, Laura Lauder, Yo-Yo Ma, Frederic V. Malek, James M. Manyika,
William E. Mayer*, Bonnie P. McCloskey, David McCormick, Anne Welsh McNulty, Diane Morris,
Karlheinz Muhr, Clare Muana, Jerry Murdock, Marc Nathanson, William A. Nitze,
Her Majesty Queen Noor, Jacqueline Novogratz, Olara A. Otunnu, Elaine Pagels, Carrie Walton
Penner, Margot L. Pritzker, Peter A. Reiling, Lynda Resnick, Condoleezza Rice, James Rogers,
Ricardo Salinas, Anna Deavere Smith, Michelle Smith, Javier Solana, Robert K. Steel*,
Shashi Tharoor**, Laurie M. Tisch, Giulio Tremonti, Roderick K. von Lipsey, Vin Weber,
Michael Zantovsky *Chairman Emeritus **On Leave of Absence
LIFETIME TRUSTEES CO-CHAIRMEN: Berl Bernhard, Ann Korologos*
LIFETIME TRUSTEES
Keith Berwick, James C. Calaway*, William T. Coleman, Jr.,
Lester Crown, Tarun Das, William H. Donaldson, Sylvia A Earle, James L. Ferguson, Richard N.
Gardner, Alma L. Gildenhorn, Jacqueline Grapin, Irvine O. Hockaday Jr., Nina Rodale Houghton,
Anne Frasher Hudson, Jrme Huret, William N. Joy, Henry A. Kissinger, Leonard A. Lauder*,
Robert H. Malott, Olivier Mellerio, Elinor Bunin Munroe, Sandra Day OConnor, Hisashi Owada,
Thomas R. Pickering, Charles Powell, Jay Sandrich, Lloyd G. Schermer,
Carlo Scognamiglio, Albert H. Small, Andrew L. Stern, Paul A. Volcker, Leslie H. Wexner,
Frederick B. Whittemore, Alice Young *Chairman Emeritus

The Aspen Institute sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner.
This issue was printed by American Web on recycled fibers containing 10% postconsumer waste, with inks containing a blend of soy base. Our printer is a certified member
of the Forestry Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards

10

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Expand your horizons consider Missouri Heights

With dramatic views of Mt. Sopris and the surrounding mountains, Missouri Heights offers the western lifestyle of wide-open
spaces, grasslands, lots of pinyon and juniper, plus plentiful wildlife. Yet you are only minutes away from Willits Town
Center, Basalt and Carbondale, where you will find Whole Foods, great shopping, restaurants, and good schools.
Please take a look at these great options diverse styles and locations and all have great views!

Modern. Mountain Views. Magnificent. $1,997,000

Traditional. Tranquil. Treasure. $1,985,000

Gorgeous. Gardens. Getaway. $1,195,000

Rustic. Remarkable. Ranch(ette). $1,695,000

Penney Evans Carruth

www.penneycarruth.com

970.379.9133 cell
Penney.Carruth
@Ssir.com
IDEAS
PECIAL ISSUE

2016

11

Building a
smarter threat
defense.

Partnering with industry leaders, government agencies,

and global law enforcement, Intel Security oers systemic
threat lifecycle defense through applied integration,
automation, and orchestration.
Learn more at intelsecurity.com.

Intel and the Intel and McAfee logos are trademarks of Intel Corporation or McAfee, Inc. in the US and/or other countries. Copyright 2016 Intel Corporation.

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

Play Ball! Or Tennis, or Soccer, or Hockey, or
The Sports & Society Programs State of Play 2016 report examined the waning
role of physical activity and sports in the lives of young people. Whats more, the
program is doing something about itstarting with a major event, the Project Play
Summit (see page 20). aspeninstitute.org/sports-society

Casual
participation,
like pick-up
games, dropped
among youth
ages 6 to 12.
Only 1 in 5 children from homes

The number
of youth, ages
6 to 12, who are
active in sports
fell from 30.2%
in 2008 to

26.6%

with less than $25,000 in income

are active at a healthy level.

in 2015.

Between 2014 and 2015, volleyball, baseball,

basketball, soccer, gymnastics, ice hockey, and
lacrosse all experienced drops in the percentage
of kids who played those games, in any form,
at least once.

23% of
youth, ages
5 to 16, say
playing a
computer
game with
friends is a
form of
exercise.

43.8%

The percentage
of football coaches
who have received
training in concussion
management.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

13

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

SITE-SEEING: ASPENS NEW WEBSITE

social-media abilities, and commenting processes have
been enhanced and upgraded. Its a more interactive
and user-friendly experience. The website was created
in partnership with Firstborn, a New York City-based
strategic-design and technology agency. We have an
exciting new way to share and show off the best of our
work, says Aaron Myers, the Institutes director of digital
strategy, and introduce the broadest possible audience
to our experts and the wide range of programming at
the Institute year-round. Head to aspeninstitute.org to
see the new look of the Institutes online presence, and
explore the new features yourself. We suggest starting
with aspeninstitute.org/magazine.

Steve Johnson

The Institutes new flagship website launched in June at

aspeninstitute.org. The redesigned site, which took more
than a year to complete, features a modern, minimal
aesthetic, inspired by the Bauhaus style the Institute has
embraced ever since Herbert Bayer designed the Aspen
Meadows campus. Youll see more images and videos.
Youll find helpful summaries of our events. Youll read
the work of Institute experts. The launch of this website
marks an important milestone, Institute CEO Walter
Isaacson says. The ability to creatively and effectively
share our ideas with a worldwide audienceand engage
with them in conversations that matteris the natural
evolution of our mission. The sites search functions,

In August, the Institute inaugurated the Elizabeth and Walter Paepcke Society to honor our
most generous benefactorsthose whose lifetime giving exceeds $1 million. This is the highestlevel recognition available to donors, and inclusion is permanent. Membership is limited to
individual donors and their family foundations. The Institute joins renowned organizations
like the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center, National Gallery of Art, and Shakespeare Theatre,
all of which have giving societies named for their founders. The Paepcke Society signals a
new era at the Institute, one in which many of Americas top philanthropists are investing in
our mission as never before. A plaque listing Paepcke Society members was unveiled in the
Walter Paepcke Memorial Building in Aspen on August 4. If my father had an idea, Antonia
Paepcke DuBrul, one of the couples two daughters, said at the ceremony, you heard about
it, dreamt about it, and heard about it some more. He had persistence coming out of his ears.
But he knew that was how ideas got turned into reality. aspeninstitute.org/paepcke-society

14

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

DuBrul

C2 Photography

INTRODUCING THE PAEPCKE SOCIETY

Great

leaders strive
to create

better place to live.

A great realtor

does much the same.

Carrie Wells
VISION, INNOVATION, LONGEVITY.
Those are a few of the qualities of a
great resort. Likewise, a great Realtor.
Which probably explains why Carrie
Wells is currently Top 7 in the world
for Coldwell Banker and has been the
leading Coldwell Banker broker in Colorado
for over seventeen years. She has
the dedication needed to help you
find your Aspen dream, and the tenacity
necessary to turn that dream into a reality.
If youre interested in Aspen, give Carrie a call.
Shes dedicated to creating a space
where your spirit can flourish.

Carrie Wells

970.948.6750

Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Real Estate

514 East Hyman Avenue Aspen
carrie@carriewells.com
www.carriewells.com
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

15

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

WORK SMART

Photos courtesy Ricardo Salinas/Marc and Jane Nathanson

Millions of Americans are looking for stable and secure

jobs. At the same time, employers report difficulty
finding skilled workers. How can the nation address
these gapsand help job-seekers, employers, and the
economy as a whole? One solution: regional partnerships
among businesses, nonprofits, community colleges,
and governments. When regional partnerships look
specifically at industrys needs and combine the expertise
of diverse groups to address employment needs, they
have an immense potential to help job-seekers find
opportunities and employers find skilled workers. In 2015,
the Economic Development Administration, part of the
Department of Commerce, chose the Aspen Institute
Workforce Strategies Initiative to lead the Communities
that Work Partnership, a project to accelerate effective
regional partnerships nationwide. AspenWSI, together
with FutureWorks, a group of experts in regional
economic growth and competitiveness, observed
the on-the-ground experiences of seven regional
partnerships. They include partnerships in Dalton,
Georgia; San Francisco, California; Houston, Texas;
Washington, DC; New York City; Phoenix, Arizona; and
Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York. Soon, AspenWSI
and FutureWorks will release publications outlining key
lessons from the Communities that Work Partnership.
aspenwsi.org/communities-that-work
Top: Ricardo Salinas and scholars. Below: The Nathansons and scholars.
Penny Pritzker

SCHOLARS FIRST

Photo courtesy of LyondellBasell

Ricardo Salinas met with the second class of Salinas Scholars at the
Aspen Ideas Festival. The Ricardo Salinas Foundation Scholarship
Fund increases Latino participation at Institute events, roundtables,
and seminars. The scholarship doesnt just impact recipients; it enriches
everyone in their orbit, who benefit from the scholars new ideas.
Also this summer, Trustee Marc Nathanson and his wife, Jane
Nathanson, met the first class of Nathanson Public Diplomacy Scholars.
The scholarship enables young leaders working in public diplomacy
to attend Institute seminars and events in order to support those who
have committed their professional lives to strengthening cross-cultural
understanding.

ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE
Writer Dani Shapiro is now a member of the Aspen Words Creative
Council, a newly formed group of literary and publishing professionals
who help support and broaden Aspen Words reach throughout the
worlds literary community. She has been a featured speaker at the
Winter Words author series, a faculty member at the Aspen Summer
Words writing conference and literary festival, and a panelist at the
Aspen New York Book Series. Of course, Shapiro is most famous for
being the best-selling author of the memoirs Still Writing, Devotion,
and Slow Motion, and of five novels, including Black & White and Family
History. Her new book, Hourglass, will be published in spring 2017. But
what books does she have on her bedside table? aspenwords.org

16

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf

Sleepless Nights, Elizabeth Hardwick
The Woman Destroyed, Simone de Beauvoir
Essays After Eighty, Donald Hall
A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the
Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life, Jack Kornfield
Poor Mans Feast, Elissa Altman
Crossing to Safety, Wallace Stegner

On Behalf of the Economic Opportunities Programs Workforce Strategies Initiative,

Congratulations to the Communities that Work Partnership Fellows!
Rosalyn Boxer, Arizona Commerce Authority
David Hedberg, Cox Communications
Trevor Stokes, Arizona Commerce Authority
Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority
Steve Zylstra, Arizona Technology Council
Liz Callahan, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Clotilde Dedecker, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Dennis Elsenbeck, National Grid
Cara Matteliano, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Laura Smith, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Maria Whyte, Erie County Executive Office
Mindy Aronoff, Bay Area Video Coalition
Christopher Donnelly, San Jose Workforce Investment Board,
Work2Future
Jeff Fanselow, CBS Corporation
John Halpin, City and County of San Francisco Office of Economic
and Workforce Development

Peter Beard, Greater Houston Partnership

Allatia Harris, San Jacinto College
Linda OBlack, United Way of Greater Houston
Mike Temple, Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions
Veronica Avila, National Domestic Workers Alliance
Irene Jor, New York Domestic Worker Coalition
Linta Varghese, Hand in Hand
Haeyoung Yoon, National Employment Law Project
Chuck Bean, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Jim Dinegar, Greater Washington Board of Trade
Adam Ortiz, Prince Georges County Department of the Environment
Doug Siglin, Anacostia River Initiative, Federal City Council
Louis Fordham, J+J Flooring Group
Kathryn Hornsby, Technical College System of Georgia
Deana Perry, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
Barbara Ward, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce

Learn more about the Communities that Work Partnership, Fellows, and forthcoming learning publications
from the Workforce Strategies Initiative website: www.aspenwsi.org/communities-that-work/.

YOU ARE NOT JUST ANYONE

2016 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

WEB ID: 134995

YOUR HOUSE SHOULD REFLECT THE SAME

JILL SHORE | 970.948.6121 | jill.shore@elliman.com

630 East Hyman Ave. | Suite 101 | Aspen, CO 81611 | 970.925.8810
ELLIMAN.COM/COLORADO

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

17

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

Photos Courtesy of Judith Price

HISTORIC IMAGINATION AT WYE

Houghton House

For the Wye Fellows, a constant intellectual challenge is to

reconcile the persuasive ideas from one talk with the persuasive
ideas from another. The full variety of programming can be as
demanding as it is enriching. That was certainly the case this
year, when two nationally recognized voices represented two
different worldviews.
In March, 35 of the Aspen Wye Fellows were given a private
White House briefing with US Chief Technology Officer Megan
Smith. The Fellows drove from the Institutes Wye campus on
Marylands Eastern Shore to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to
meet with Smith, who was also the former vice president of
Google and CEO of PlanetOut. Smith discussed the evolution
of technological innovation and collaboration in the United
States in recent decades, including the administrations efforts
to create a technologically savvy government infrastructure
to rethink education in the high-tech age, and enlist some 70
countries in open and collaborative technological innovation.
Smith also talked about the need to train qualified employees
to fill the nations 5.5 million new technology jobs. The United
States can do this, she said, by providing entrepreneurs and
technology startups with venture capital that encourages them
to transform education and
create a new generation of
STEM-oriented employees: a
culture of creative innovation
will ensure a robust US
economy in a competitive
globalized world.
Then in May, US Chairman
of the National Endowment
for the Humanities William
Adams talked to the Aspen
Wye Fellows about the value
Adams
of historical knowledge. Its a

18

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

symbol of the nations commitment to its national heritage,

he told them. Adams called the humanities a strategic
imperative for the United States and lamented their recent
decline in the world and in education in particular as many
people question their usefulness in a technology-driven
world. He warned that losing the humanities in education solely
for the sake of economic outcomes would be intellectually
catastrophic and not at all in the nations interest. One of the
reasons were going to regret it, Adams said, is because the
democratic political life that we have in this countryand the
political culture that we need in order to have a democratic
political lifemust include
historical, philosophical, and
cultural underpinnings. When education denies students the
richness of a full expression of historical and cultural life, he
said, they are also robbed of what it means to truly know the
world.
The two presentations prompted a meaningful discussion
among the Wye Fellows about how to blend the sciences and
the arts so that minds are enriched, participatory democracy
and the marketplace of ideas are valued, and America
continues to grow economically and technologically. There are
no easy answers, but there are certainly important discussions
to be hadand the Wye Fellows are doing their part.
The Fellows are intellectually curious Eastern Shore
residents who take part in unique dialogues with world
leaders. They participate in an extensive yearly program on
the Wye River campus, monthly events in Washington, and
opportunities to join the Institutes summer events in Aspen,
Colorado.

For more information about the Wye Fellows program,

contact Judith Price, Wye River campus manager, at judy.
price@aspeninstitute.org.

SOF LEADERSHIP FUND

The Society of Fellows Leadership Fund
is an endowed scholarship that brings
leaders from diverse backgrounds to
Aspen Institute programs and events.
With gifts of all sizes, generous friends
are enabling us to discover, inspire,
and nurture the leaders who are
shaping our societys future.

PLEDGE YOUR GIFT TODAY

www.aspeninstitute.org/campaign

We are grateful to these friends for their support of the SOF Leadership Fund:
Kay Allaire
Ken Aponte
Kathleen and John Buck
Alfred Campos
Nancy and Clint Carlson
Kelly Close
Bunni and Paul Copaken
Cornelia and Richard Corbett
Penny and Jim Coulter
Jane and Marshall Crouch
Sean Dalesandro
Alex Dell
Jane Phillips and William H. Donaldson
Nanette and Jerry Finger
Susan and Richard Finkelstein
Henrietta H. and Richard L. Fore
Paul Gillow
Jan and Ron Greenberg
Sheila and Patrick W. Gross
Casady M. Henry
Juliane Heyman
Nike Irvin
Dorothy Jacobs
Mary and Thomas Allen James
Kathleen and Warren Jones
Ann P. and Stephen M. Kaufman
Ann and Tom Korologos
Stanley Kritzik
Joan C. Lebach

Leonard Levie
Marlene and Frederic V. Malek
Stephen Marcus
Mary and Garrett Moran
Morgridge Family Foundation
Eric L. Motley
Stephanie and Michael Naidoff
David L. Nevins
Craig Newmark
Ann K. and William A. Nitze
Patricia M. Papper
Hensley and James Peterson
Aaron and Dorothy Podhurst
Anne and Arnold Porath
Rodan Family Philanthropic Fund
Linda and Jay Sandrich
Nicole Avant and Ted Sarandos
David Solomon
Curt Strand
Evelyn and Barry Strauch
Eleanor and John Sullivan
Chloe C. Tabah
Phyllis Taylor
Susan and Richard Ulevitch
Jennifer Causing and Peter Waanders
Monique Clarine and Ralph Wanger
Barbara Bakios-Wickes and
Steven Wickes
Wyndham Hotel Group

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

19

Photos by Laurence Genon

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

GAME CHANGE
The Project Play Summit emphasized health, inclusion,
and equal access to sports across the nation.

Picture an idyllic American summer. Does it include evenings

playing tag with friends in the front yard until the fireflies
come out? Or maybe long, hot afternoons at the basketball
court with kids from the neighborhood?
That isnt the state of summeror the state of playin
America anymore, said First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2016
Project Play Summit in May, hosted by the Institutes Sports &
Society Program as part of their Project Play initiative. Either
you cant play outside because its unsafe, or youre the only kid
playing outside because everybody else is overspecialized, she
said. [Kids] dont even have the concept of play.
During her featured session at the Summit, Obama; her
brother, Craig Robinson, of ESPN, and his colleague Michael
Wilbon reflected on their childhoods on Chicagos South
Side and on the importance of making sports affordable and
accessible to youth across the United States. Obama called for
quality athletic opportunities for every child, regardless of zip

20

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

code or family income. How much are we willing to invest in

the kids in our society? she asked. So many communities are
becoming play deserts, but in wealthy communities, there is a
wealth of resources The disparities are amazing to me. Are
we saying that some kids are worthy of investment, and then
there are millions of others who arent?
Launched in 2013, Project Play is reimagining US sports
culture by putting health and inclusion at the core of its values.
The initiative gathers leaders from across eight sectors that
touch the lives of childrencommunity recreation groups,
national sport organizations, policymakers and civic leaders,
education, parents, public health, business and industry, and
tech and media.
At the Summit, some of the featured leaders included
top figures like Mary Davis, the CEO of the Special Olympics
International; Tab Ramos, the youth technical director of
the US Soccer Federation; Bennet Omalu, the chief medical

examiner for San Joaquin County, California; Risa

Lavizzo-Mourey, the president and CEO of the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation; and Billie Jean King, the
founder of the Womens Sports Foundation. All Summit
speakers talked about the current shape of sports and
play in the United States, from activities for people with
disabilities to mitigating the risk of concussions in highimpact sports.
The Project Play Summit sessions also informed the
Sports & Society Programs newest report, State of
Play: 2016, which came out in June. The report provides
an annual snapshot of the creative ways different groups
are serving children and communities through sports.
In addition to incorporating insights from Summit
speakers, the report examined data from the crowd by
using Microsoft Pulses instant-polling software to ask
them about sports today.
State of Play: 2016 looked at national data, too.
According to the report, the percentage of youth who
are physically active through sports fell, even though
sports participation among six- to 12-year-olds rose
slightly. Federal support for recreation infrastructure
grew, but gaps in access to sports in low-income areas
became more pronounced. Major sports organizations
are also beginning to promote the idea that kids should
diversify their activities and play more than one sport,

you cant play outside because its unsafe, or youre the only
Either
kid playing outside because everybody else is overspecialized...
[Kids] dont even have the concept of play.

Michelle Obama

but the number of team sports the average child played

fell. And in 2015, only 25 percent of youth sports coaches
were women.
There has been no growth in the percentage of
womens coaches in recent years.
Thats something Billie Jean King wants addressed.
She encouraged the audience to remember women
when thinking about sports accessibility. We dont
have enough women coaches, she said. Dont forget
about the girls and the women: we are half of the
population. King also stressed the ways that sports
make communities safersuch as by keeping restless
kids occupied with something good for them, an issue
that is addressed in State of Play: 2016.
Were excited to offer this report to a wide variety
of constituencies, from parents to policymakers to
sports leaders who have an interest in getting kids off
the couch without running them into the ground, said
Tom Farrey, executive director of the Sports & Society
Program. Its one-stop shopping for understanding the
landscape of youth sport today.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

21

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

LAND & LOVE, IN PERPETUITY

Farsad

Growing up, I longed to be Mexican, Iranian-American comedian Negin Farsad told an audience
for an Arts Program roundtable in Washington, DC, in June. They had icons like Cesar Chavez, and
they had Ranchero music, and they had every restaurant in town. They had a really recognizable
cultureand they were brown. Growing up in Palm Springs, Farsad was in a tiny minority of
Iranians in her school. Her teachers couldnt pronounce her name, and one even called her Noodle.
Thats not even the right stereotype; were a rice-based people. Farsad, who calls herself a
social-justice comedian, was on hand to discuss her recent memoir, How to Make White People
Laugh. Her standup and her writing attempt to prove that deep-seated prejudices about race and
religion can be as effectively challenged with humor as they can be with activism. There are a
few rules for social-justice comedy, Farsad said. First, its nonpartisan. Its not about politics; its
about justice. Second, its warm and inviting. And third, its sneaky. aspeninstitute.org/arts

Steve Johnson

RADICAL MUSLIM COMEDY

Dan Bayer

Gilchrist Berg provided a generous gift to establish a

permanent conservation easement on an untouched
parcel of meadow around the Aspen, Colorado,
campus in honor of his wife, Amy Margerum Berg, a
former Institute executive vice president. By placing
a conservation easement on this 13.5 acres, Bergs
generous gift will ensure that the land remains
undeveloped in perpetuity. The easement was
negotiated in coordination with the Institute, with the
expert assistance of the Conservation Fund and will be
managed by the Aspen Valley Land Trust. Berg chose to
name the property Amys Meadow.

Kelly meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama

22

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

The Aspen Institute is a better place because of Patrick Kelly, Walter

Isaacson wrote in February. The Aspen community had just lost a dear
friend and colleague: Patrick Kelly, who served as a key Society of
Fellows team member for more than seven years. At just 38, Kelly was
an energetic, happy presence committed to bringing new voices to the
Aspen Meadows campus. In honor of his deep connection to his work,
the Institute established the Patrick Kelly Symposia Scholars Fund so
that college students and diverse leaders can come to Aspen and attend
moderated discussions about current events. Patricks wife, Collins Kelly,
started the fund with her own generous gift, but it was quickly followed
by gifts from staff and Society of Fellows members who loved Patrick.
Jane and Marshall Crouch, David Newberger, and Clare Muana all
pledged especially generous gifts. With nearly $185,000 already, the goal
is to reach $250,000 and permanently endow the fund. This spring, the
Institute welcomed its inaugural Patrick Kelly Scholar, Theodore Roosevelt
Johnsona speechwriter to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Stafffor
the seminar Role and Requirements of the American Presidency, Then and
Now, moderated by American Universitys Allan Lichtman and Harvard
Universitys Harvey Mans. It was exactly the kind of timely, dynamic
discussion Kelly would have loved to pull together. aspeninstitute.org/sof

Photo courtesy of Kelly family

THE PATRICK KELLY SYMPOSIA SCHOLARS FUND

340 Divide, Snowmass Village

3500 Snowmass Creek Road, Old Snowmass

5 BED |

5 BED |

Ultimate Ski-In/Ski-Out
6 BATH

Ranch Living at its Finest

$11,950,000

Timeless Tuscan-inspired home with a classic mountain flair in the

coveted Divide neighborhood. Adjacent to the Dawdler ski run offering
a perfect start to every powder day for beginners and experts alike.

6 BATH |

$12,500,000

Creekside Ranch is a luxurious 75+ acre ranch situated on Snowmass

Creek. Artfully designed by CCY Architects this home has stunning
views of the Snowmass ski area and surrounding mountains.

Vice President / Broker

Doug Leibinger
821 East Cooper, Aspen

Chic Central Core Towhome

4 BED |

4 BATH

$7,650,000

Enjoy views of Aspen and Red Mountain, remodeled in 2013 this stylish
duplex features an open and elegant floor plan.

Consistently a top producer in the Aspen valley market, Doug

Leibinger has been honored by the Wall Street Journal as one
of the nations top-producing brokers, ranked #130 in the
country and counted among the top 10 brokers in Colorado.
Doug works with both buyers and sellers and has achieved
over $.5 billion in transactional sales.

Doug Leibinger Vice President / Broker 970.379.9045 doug@compass.com

compass.com

970.925.6063

compass

compassinc

compass

23

Real estate agents affiliated with Compass are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Compass. Equal Housing Opportunity. Compass is a licensed real estate
Avenue,
10011.
I D Ebroker
A S located
S PatE90
C Fifth
IAL
I S S3rd
U EFl. NY,
2 0NY1 6
All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to
errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 212.913.9058.

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

VOICES FOR
THE VOICELESS
Each Aspen Words
event in its annual
Winter Words series
featured authors whose
work gives expression

Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Latino US

MacArthur Fellow and artist Alison

poet laureate, read his bilingual poem

Bechdel gave voice to an entirely

Borderbus, from his Notes on the

different American experience in her

Assemblage, in which he describes the

graphic novel, Fun Home. The book is a

powerfully exposes

experience of immigrants bound for a

lesbian coming-of-age story, which was

US detention center. The son of migrant

subsequently turned into a Tony Award-

otherwise marginalized

farmworkers, Herreras words radiate

winning musical starring Beth Malone,

compassion at a divisive moment in

who was featured alongside Bechdel at

groups.

American history.

Winter Words. In a poignant conclusion

to the silenced and

aspenwords.org

to the conversation, Malone sang a song

from the Broadway play.

24

The voices in Adam Johnsons writing

Pulitzer Prize winners Geraldine

Using her experience as a young Latina

range from North Korean defectors

Brooks and Tony Horwitz explore

immigrant growing up in Chicago,

to a Stasi prison warden to a UPS

characters from the footnotes of history

Sandra Cisneros wrote her best-selling

deliveryman in post-Katrina New

in their books, many of which were

novel, The House on Mango Street.

Orleans. The 2015 National Book Award

influenced by their previous careers as

Cisneros discussed what it means

winner, for Fortune Smiles, described

war correspondents. Im looking for

to straddle two different cultures,

the importance of fiction that tells

the voids, said Brooks, whose latest

thanking audience members for being

stories on behalf of silenced individuals:

novel is The Secret Chord. I love the

ambassadors for communication

there is often not enough information to

stories where the historical fact seems

and understanding of people unlike

tell stories accurately in nonfiction form.

implausible.

yourselves.

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

No matter your price, call Pat now to see

your real estate dreams come true!

Presented by

PAT MARQUIS

Real Estate Specialist Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified International Property Specialist

970.925.4200 pat@aspen4sale.com

Aspens Coveted West End

Contemporary, Light-Filled

Contemporary Core Townhome

5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 5,327 sq ft

High-end contemporary finishes
Vaulted ceilings and three fireplaces
Abundance of natural light
$12,900,000

5 bedrooms, 7 baths, 5,139 sq ft

Minutes from downtown, 180 views
Walls of windows, open floor plan
Great for full or part time resident
$7,450,000

4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2,811 sq ft, 3 levels

Spectacular mountain views
2 balconies, large patio, private hot tub
Enormous master suite, 2-car carport
$5,995,000

OFFICIAL MEMBER

F O R E V E RY H O M E I S E L L
I HELP BUILD A HOME
F O R A FA M I LY I N N E E D

www.Aspen4Sale.com

Starwoods Garden of Eden!

One Block From The Gondola

New Construction

4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 6,350 sq ft, 3.83 acres

Waterfall, hot tub, indoor pool, views
Study, artists studio/mother-in-law cottage
Trails, tennis, 24 hour security entry gate
$4,195,000

3 bedrooms + den, 3.5 baths, 1,659 sq ft

Fabulous location just 1 block to Gondola
Walk to Aspens finest restaurants
Pool and hot tub, great rental history
$2,745,000 Turn-Key Furnished

Located at the Ranch at Coulter Creek

100 fenced acres, trails, pond and manager
The house sits on 9 acres with 360 views
Open floor plan and designer gourmet kitchen
$1,997,000

Elevate your lifestyle in

AspenSnowmassSIR.com

Aspen

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

25

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

AndersonRanch
arts center
create|change
celebrate the

50 ANNIVERSARY
TH

summer series
THURSDAY, JULY 7

TITUS KAPHAR

THURSDAY, JULY 14

JERRY SALTZ

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

CONVERSATION with
ELEANORE & DOMENICO DE SOLE
moderated by
NANCY MAGOON
THURSDAY, JULY 21

CARRIE MAE WEEMS

THURSDAY, JULY 28

LIZA LOU

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

National Council Special Event*

ANN PHILBIN in conversation
with CHARLES RAY
*To join the National Council,
call 970-923-3181, x212

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

ALEX PRAGER

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

HAAS BROTHERS

GENETIC CODE BREAKERS

Eric Lander, president and founding director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
and a principal leader of the now-concluded Human Genome Project, looks at pioneering
new ways to comprehend diseases like cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory illnesses.
Lander came to the Institutes Washington, DC, headquarters in April for the Public Health
Grand Rounds discussion series, organized by the Health, Medicine and Society Program
as well as the Global Health and Development Program to talk Precision Medicine: The
Promise, the Journey, the Future. The work includes understanding individual genetic
variations in humans, the distinctive cellular signatures of diseases, and the mutations
underlying illness. What are the important targets of any disease? The knowledge of
what the target isthats a public good, Lander said. And once those discoveries are
public, drug makers can take action. They know what part of a body isnt working and
what needs to be ramped up or ramped down. Thats what pharmaceuticals do; they
bind to a protein and turn down or turn up the activity. aspeninstitute.org/health

USING DIALOGUE TO THAW A NEW COLD WAR

Academic and military experts believe that the United States and Russia are on the
brink of a military crisis unlike any since the nadir of the Cold War. US and Russian
military assets are operating at cross purposes in a Syrian civil war, the United States is
sending troops to Eastern Europe to bolster allies worried about Russian intervention,
and Ukraine continues to be frozen in conflict between Russian-backed separatists and

critical dialogue

NATO-backed government forces. Meanwhile, bilateral relations between President

SATURDAY, JULY 2

last few years, and the risk of intentional or accidental catastrophe between the two

Alternatives with
ENRIQUE MARTNEZ CELAYA

nuclear-armed states is a constant danger.

WEDS. JULY 13 THURS. JULY 14

members of the US Congress, the Russian Duma, and the German Bundestag for

Vladimir Putin and President Barack Obama have substantially worsened over the

It is in this context that the Institutes Congressional Program brought together

The Dynamic Culture of

Contemporary Art Making
with TOM SACHS & TOM HEALY

a parliamentary exchange in April. The gathering was the first of its kind between

Reservations or registration required

conversation is more important than the ones between policymakers in nuclear-armed

AndersonRanch arts center

states. By allowing lawmakers to discuss issues in an off-the-record and free-flowing

andersonranch.org (970) 923-3181

5263 Owl Creek Road, SNOWMASS
26

Lander

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

American and Russian legislators since sanctions were established in 2014. The
Congressional Program provides a platform for dialogue on important issues, and no

dialogue, this program has built relationships and trust between counterparts across
the vast gulfs of language, culture, and geopolitics. The Congressional Program plans
to continue this dialogue in 2017. aspeninstitute.org/congressional

Steve Johnson

FEATURED ARTISTS
& CONVERSATIONS

ERICKSON RANCH Aspen, CO

Red Mountain with acreage Extreme privacy 6,400 SF
Seven above grade bedrooms Five and one half bathrooms
11.8 Acre lot with 51 contiguous common acres Unobstructed views
from Independence Pass to Mt. Sopris Five minutes to downtown Aspen
Senior water rights Horse property Additional FAR available
Common Area
51 Acres Caretakers house Barn and fenced in pastures
www.EricksonRanchAspen.com

Lifestyle. Luxury. Legacy.

WELL FIND YOURS.

Offered for $23,500,000

970.544.5800
Broker@AspenAssociatesRealty.com
Chris Flynn

Scott Davidson

Tony DiLucia

Colter Smith

Ryan Elston

www.AspenAssociatesRealty.com
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

27

AROUND THE INSTITUTE

Photos by Tracey Salazar

Participants take the stage.

WOMEN ON FIRE

The United State of Women Summit turns inspiration into action.

On June 14 at Washington, DCs Convention Center, lines
formed at sunrise and wound around five city blocks. The
excitement was for the White House Summit on the United
State of Women, a daylong event held in partnership with the
Institute and made possible by the Ford Foundation, Goldman
Sachs Foundation, Pepsico, Tory Burch, and AOL. Attendees
traveled from as far away as India and Afghanistan and as
close as Anacostia and Capitol Hill. Why not? The powerhouse
lineup of speakers included the president, vice president,
first lady, and attorney general, as well as business icons
like Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett. Plus, the audience
heard from front-line advocates in the grassroots, policy, and
entertainment worlds. It was the place to be.
Today, women comprise more than half of Americas
college graduates, electorate, and workforce; they also
account for more than 80 percent of consumer-purchasing
decisions. Despite this power, barriersaffordable child care,
paid sick leave, equal paystill undermine womens success.

28

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

The United State of Women Summit examined how to solve

these problems and ensure that women and families can
advance economically and socially. President Barack Obama
affirmed his own commitment, citing his administrations early
action on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and its progress on
overtime pay and womens health.
Below are three of the issues the summit tackled and two
new initiatives the Institute will launch.
END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Vice President Joe Biden made a full-throated call for an end
to violence against womena central theme of his Its On Us
campaign. Americans must tear down the persistent culture of
rape, Biden said, noting this years increased focus on college
campuses. Its an issue thats also close to Mariska Hargitay,
an actor on NBCs Law &Order: SVU, who started the Joyful
Heart Foundation to raise awareness of domestic violence and
to promote healing.

Obama

Obama and Winfrey

INVEST IN YOUNG WOMENS LEADERSHIP

Ana Oliveira, the president of the New York Womens
Foundation, invited cities and foundations to help scale up the
Young Womens Initiativean effort to which her organization
and the New York City Council both committed $10 million.
Created by Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the
initiative will propose programming, policy, and research to
close the gaps that girls and women experience in education,
health care, fiscal matters, and judicial outcomes. The goal
is to create an action plan to inform legislation and funding.
ENGAGE MEN AS ALLIES
Quentin Walcott, the co-executive director of CONNECT
NYC, and Matt McGorry, an actor on ABCs How to Get Away
With Murder, spoke about their efforts to identify as allies and
feminists. They emphasized the importance of male leaders
mentoring boys and taking a stand for equal treatment and
respect for girls and women. They also challenged their peers
to join them as men who get it.

Biden

NEXT STEPS AT THE INSTITUTE

STRENGTHEN FAMILIES TWO GENERATIONS AT A TIME
At the summit, the Institutes Ascend Program announced
a new federal investment, the Strengthening Working
Families Initiative, which will help low-income parents access
affordable, high-quality child care so they can earn an
education, enter training programs, and compete for betterpaying jobs. The effort is founded on the two-generation
approach: investments that target the needs of children and
parents together. Under the initiative, the Department of
Labor will support public-private partnerships that bridge
workforces and child-care systems. Partnerships will focus
on high-demand industries that help families get ahead. The
project earned more attention in July, when Aspen hosted
the Two-Generation Policymakers Institute, a meeting with
issue experts, White House leaders, innovators, and partners
like the National Governors Association.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION ALIVE
As a lead partner for the United State of Women, the Institute
is committed to these critical issues in America and globally.
Thats why we are launching a new initiative: the Aspen Forum
on Women and Girls, a series of conversations addressing
economic opportunity, education, and entrepreneurship.
Led by Anne Mosle, the executive director of Ascend, and
Peggy Clark, the executive director of the Global Health and
Development Program, the project launched on International
Womens Day.
The United State of Women featured strong, visionary, and
ascendant women. But its the collective determination and
inspiration of women everywhere that is truly igniting change
across the worldfrom Girl Scout meetings and schools to
battlefields and boardrooms.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

29

Comey

30

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Miles Willis

ASPEN SECURITY FORUM: GLOBAL

THE SECURITY THREAT

HAS GONE VIRAL
ISIL expertly uses social media to attract followers and
spread terror, and the FBI tries to hack iPhones, scour Twitter,
and de-encrypt servers. FBI Director James Comey talks
about the new shape of terror.

he Institute headed to London in April for the debut

of the Aspen Security Forum: Global, an international
complement to the more US-focused discussions at the
annual Aspen Security Forum. The event convened
top-level government officials, journalists, and
international-security experts to discuss the worlds gravest threats.
The forum kicked off with a conversation with FBI Director James
Comey about why so much of the FBIs work is now done in
cyberspace.
On hacking the San Bernardino terrorists iPhone:
I dont want to pick on Apple. The Justice Department brought
litigation as part of the FBI investigation into the San Bernardino
attack. It was important to get into the phone to competently investigate
a terrorist attack. We should have been fired if we didnt try to see what
was in a terrorists phone. But we got to a place where Appleand Im
not questioning their motiveswas not willing to cooperate. In the
end, we got into the phone because all the controversy and attention
stimulated a bit of an international marketplace for people to figure out
how to break into an Apple 5C running iOS 9, the phone the terrorist
left behind. Somebody approached us from outside the government
and said, Weve come up with a solution. The FBI tested it, and
tested it, and tested it, and then we purchased it. Once we knew it
would work, we withdrew the litigation. Thats a good thing. First,
we got into the phone, which was very important to the investigation.
Second, litigation is not a great way to resolve hard values questions.
But we should continue to talk about it, because all of us share a set
of values that are in conflict, and we have to figure out how to resolve
privacy and security on the Internet. Theyre crashing into each other
in terrorism cases and in all the work the FBI does.

On the shift from Al Qaeda to ISIL:

Al Qaeda focused on sophisticated long-planned attacks with
extensive surveillance and carefully-vetted operatives. In a way, we
had come to rely on Al Qaedas culture. If Al Qaeda just shot a bunch
of people in a restaurant, that would be a loss of face, a confession
of weakness. That was the Al Qaeda model. That changed in 2014
and accelerated with ISIL, whose mission was simply to attract
people to their caliphate or kill. Come or kill was the message:
Come or kill. Kill anybody in the name of the Islamic State, or come and become
a soldier of the caliphate. Thats the first big change. The second is the
way they communicated that message. It made Al Qaeda look like
your parents Al Qaeda. ISIL crowd-sourced terrorism by pushing
out that twin messageespecially on Twitterin a very slick way.
The message was one of ultimate meaningone that resonated
with troubled, unmoored souls. And the message would buzz in their
pockets 24 hours a day: Come or kill, find meaning. Then, to make it more
complicated, ISIL would find people interested in traveling or killing
on their behalf and move them off the open platform of Twitter.
ISIL would move them to a mobile-messaging app, encrypted end to
end. So theyre crowd-sourcing terrorism, constantly broadcasting a
meaningful message to troubled souls, and when they get one whos
likely to act, ISIL makes him invisible. Thats a totally different model
than weve ever seen. All of a sudden we had people all over the country
moving quickly along the spectrum from consuming to acting. We had
to lock up and disrupt the plots of dozens of peoplepeople that Al
Qaeda would never have used: drug users, pedophiles, criminals, the
mentally ill. The last nine months, however, the number of attempted
travelers from the States has been steadily coming down. It could also
be that it has finally dawned on people that their so-called caliphate is
hell on Earth.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

31

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

he 2016 festival kicked off with Spotlight

Health, a three-day forum on domestic
and international health topics that
attracted participants from 39 states
and 37 countries. The word is out that
Spotlight Health is the health conference to attend,
says Ruth Katz, the director of the Institutes Health,
Medicine and Society Program.
The Institutes teams begin putting the festival together
in September, nearly a year before attendees set foot on
campus. By looking at current global events and trends,
Institute leaders and staff from The Atlantic organize ten
to 12 topic tracks and begin to reach out to potential
speakers. The festival grows and evolves from there,
says Killeen Brettmann, the managing director of public
programs at the Institute. Often, the direction we thought
a track would take in September is vastly different in April.
The world changes. This year was no exception: Just

brought the speakers of the Festival to a younger audience, including the winners of the Aspen Challenge
teams of high school students who created solutions to
pressing issues in their communitiesand the Bezos
Scholars, 30 high school students and educators from
across the United States and the Africa Leadership
Academy. Senior Institute staff and affiliates nominate
scholars to attend the festival, and special patron
passes directly fund the program.
This year, patrons supported 300 scholars from across
the United States and 30 countries. Each was selected
for leadership skills and accomplishments. Scholarships
allow us to bring new voices from all over the world, says
Peggy Clark, executive director of Aspen Global Health
and Development. A young LGBT activist from Nigeria,
a community health worker from Colorado, a technology
entrepreneurall of these scholars add life and complexity to the magic that is Spotlight Health.

Ideas
in Aspen

look at the Syrian refugee crisis, or Europe being on edge

after a year of terrorist attacks: those issues played a much
deeper role in the festival than we first planned for.
World events change schedules at the last minute, too.
The Brexit vote, for example, occurred just as the festival
was starting. That meant rescheduling sessions for Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International
Monetary Fund, and Secretary of State John Kerry, so
they could make impromptu trips to Europe. However
urgent their new commitments, both speakers came
and when newsmakers come to the festival, the festival
makes news. For example, this year, Attorney General
Loretta Lynch had to explain an unexpected social call
from former President Bill Clinton.
The festival is always expanding and looking to
increase every kind of diversity. The Youth Forum
32

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

High-profile events are live-streamed, and audio

and video of most sessions are available within days
of the festivals conclusion, bringing Aspen events to
the world. And the world is tuning in: a livestream of
Secretary Kerry, for instance, reached nearly one million people. Going forward, the festival aspires to hold
more events in town in order to connect more deeply
with the Aspen community. In addition to reaching
new audiences, the Aspen Ideas Festival is linking
attendees and speakers by creating new networking
opportunities.
With the Ideas Festival, we open the doors to the Institute, says Kitty Boone, the Institutes executive director
of public programs. Were looking to the future, and with
new and different technologies available to us, were flinging those doors open even wider.

Leigh Vogel

At the 12th annual Aspen Ideas Festival, hundreds of the worlds

most exciting medical experts, politicians, business leaders,
journalists, academics, and artists flooded the Institutes Aspen
campus to discuss the ideas that are changing the planet.

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

33

Summer at Aspen: Spotlight Health

Addiction is not a character flaw
or a moral failing. Its a chronic
illness, and we have to treat it with
skill, urgency, and compassion.

Weve had a number of crises:

Ebola, Zika, 50,000 children
came across the border into
the care of HHS. But we need
dialogue on the ACAbecause
that conversation isnt being
had in Washington.

Dan Bayer

Leigh Vogel

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell

US Representative Chellie Pingree

34

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Ricardo Savi

In Maine, we have the foodsovereignty movement. So if you

want to make some jam in your
kitchen and then sell it in front
of your house, you shouldnt be
hauled to jail.

Coming Out
in the Spotlight

Dan Bayer

Olympic champion and transgender

activist Caitlyn Jenner on her
mental-health challenges while
finding and embracing her identity.
I did everything to run away from being
transgender. That worked for me for many
years, but it never went away. Every story in
our community is different. We have come
a long way, physically, to be able to go
from one sex to another. The bigger problem is the psychological side of this. The
internet changed the game. When I was
a kid, I was alone. Under the age of 21, 41
percent of all trans people attempt suicide.
The mental health of the trans community
is the most difficult. I struggled with it all
my life, but I had my ways of diversion: the
Olympic games, a tremendous family. But
I had a double life. For the last two years
before I decided to transition, my life was
absolute hell. There was only one time
where I ever contemplated suicide. It was
my low point, but it was the beginning of a
turning point. If the worst thing in my life is
that Im trans, I can handle it.

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

35

Summer at Aspen: Spotlight Health

My Superhuman
Experience

The hardest parts of life can be the most

empowering. The first thing you probably
noticed about me was my wheelchair. I
dont blame you; we are conditioned to
notice differences first. And I am different.
However, I am not just a wheelchair, and I
am not just an illness. I am so much more.
Most of all, I am a fighter, and I am proud
of the way I fight. No matter what your
battles are, we have two choices in life:
We can either let our problems defeat us,
or we can be empowered by our adversities. I choose the latter. My human experience will never be one of simplicity. It will
include pain and sickness, but that is OK.
I refuse to let the pain and sickness that
was written in my DNA triumph over me. It
is important to accept whatever inevitable
calamity you are plagued with, and let it
build you instead of break you. Each of us
contains multitudes. We hold infinities. My
fight is daunting and raw and beautiful and
important. That is exactly what makes it a
powerful force.

36

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Dan Bayer

Ellie Wheeler, founder of the Superhero

Project, on why it is important to
realize that every single person is vastly
complicated with a unique human
experience.

I have to justify why I dont stay in

my countrywhy a country that
invested thousands of pounds on my
education cannot benefit from it. I
really want to contribute, but I cannot.
Not because Ive committed any
crime but because of my sexuality.
Dan Bayer

Bisi Alimi,
activist; founder and director, Bisi Alimi Foundation

Dan Bayer

Dan Bayer

Half of the vaccines in the UNICEF supply

system denature before they reach the
patient. Thats 1.5 million deaths every year.
We have amazing production facilities,
incredible suppliers, and patients who need
these vaccines and treatments. But in the
middle, we have a reliable access question.
It breaks all the time.
Marc Koska,
founder, The SafePoint Trust

The experience of violence

is the highest correlate of
disease in women. Violence is
associated with depression,
obesity, heart disease,
substance abuse, and
chronic pain.
Paula Johnson,
president, Wellesley College

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

37

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

Stand Up and Lead

Acknowledge the trauma
and repairthat is what
reparations is. Reparations
might be a seeming
overinvestment, but its
for areas that have been
historically and intentionally
underinvested in. So in a city
like Baltimore, that would
mean every child getting
a library at birth. Thats
reparations.
DeRay Mckesson,

Riccardo Savi

civil-rights activist; co-founder, Campaign Zero

38

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Former GOP presidential nominee

Governor Mitt Romney examines
American leadership, Donald Trump,
and the future of the Republican Party.
Trump has demonstrated who he is by virtue of
what he said to this point. What he says going
forward may paper over that, but in thinking
about who you want to lead the greatest nation
on Earth, the most important single factor is
character.
This nations leadership is essential to freedom
here and around the world. Look whats happened
in Syria: the absence of American leadership
has led to hundreds of thousands killed, millions
displaced. The absence of American leadership
is in part responsible for the Brexit vote. It breaks
my heart to see us discussing candidates who are
talking about withdrawing from leadership. Im
not talking about military action; Im talking about
soft power and using our influence. We need
leaders who will stand up and lead.
Recently, P.J. ORourke said, Hillary Clinton is
wrong on every issue, but shes wrong within the
normal parameters. But I disagree with her on
so many things, I cant possibly vote for her. At
the same time, on the basis of temperament and
character, I cant vote for Trump. Its a matter of
personal conscience. Most people recognize that
Trump is a departure from traditional Republicans.
The whole party is not forever changed by virtue
of his nomination. The party goes on.
I understand the appeal of Donald Trump
and of Bernie Sanders. People are angry; they
were promised policies that would make their
lives better, and their lives arent better. They are
looking for acknowledgement that they havent
been delivered what was promised, and America
hasnt offered them the opportunity, prosperity,
and safety they expected. Both Sanders and
Trump appeal to that understandable anger.
But I wish, instead of promoting anger, we had
promoted inclusiveness.

Riccardo Savi

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

39

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

The vast majority of the
roughly 200,000 women who
are currently in confinement
could be sent home tomorrow
with no threat to public safety.
Piper Kerman,
Dan Bayer

activist; author, Orange is the New Black:

My Year in a Womens Prison

The Signal and the Universe

There has been overwhelming evidence
collected by NASA telescopes that planets
similar to ours are very widespread in the
universe. Just in our galaxy, there are probably
20 billion planets like ours in a so-called
habitable zone, meaning theres liquid water
on the surface. And this should be multiplied
by 200 billion galaxies in the universe. The
numbers are pretty overwhelming for us to
conclude that all this real estate was created
just for us. With so many possibilities and with
14 billion years of the existence of this universe,
there have been plenty of opportunities for life
to developand probably also intelligent life.
Thats why we are looking for the signals.
If we get the signal, life will not dramatically
change: you will continue to write, and I will
continue to make investments. But in a subtle
way, everything will changeeverything.
Because knowing that were not alone in the
universealthough it cannot be monetizedis
the existential question. The most interesting
questions are the ones that never lead to any
profit. Maybe this is one of them.

40

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Riccardo Savi

Yuri Milner, venture capitalist and founder of

DST Global, on his quest to find extraterrestrial life.

Left and Center: Nick Tininenko; Right: Dan Bayer

Left: Riccardo Savi; Center: Dan Bayer; Right: Leigh Vogel

Left: Riccardo Savi; Center and Right: Nick Tininenko

Franklin Leonard

Sally Osberg

Mohammed Alaa Ghanem

Jane McGonigal

Nina Totenberg

Priyamvada Natarajan

Adam Foss

Sonita Alizadeh

Paul Singer

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

41

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

We think the First
Amendment is so
important because they
put it first. But actually, it
was third. So I think the
first two concerns of the
members of Congress
were: How many
members of Congress will
there be, and what will
their compensation be.

Market and taste has

embraced a much wider
variety of artists. That is
not matched, however,
in staff, board, and
institutional structure.
Thelma Golden,
director and chief curator, Studio Museum

David Rubenstein,

42

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Dan Bayer

Dan Bayer

co-founder and co-CEO, the Carlyle Group

Riccardo Savi

What I experienced at
Yale with the student
protests was a deep sense
of outrage and a deep
sense of disappointment.
What people needed most
of all was to be heard.
If we dont listen, were
in the way. The students
discovered they had
more resources within
themselvesthe power
to create changethan
they realized.
Jonathan Holloway,
dean, Yale College

The work the FDA does is

vital to health and safety.
When things get put
through a political maze,
it can result in important
action not being taken.
Margaret Hamburg,

Leigh Vogel

foreign secretary, Institute of Medicine

and former commissioner, US Food and
Drug Administration

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

43

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

Brexit Signs

On Friday, we woke up to the Brexit

news, which was heartbreaking for those
of us who are truly Europeans. Contrary to
what I hear all the time from my teams
that markets usually get it pretty right and
anticipate reasonably wellthe vote to
leave the EU was not anticipated. Markets
had based asset and other currency
values on the assumption that the U.K.
would probably remain. But there was no
panic. Central bankers did their job. The
situation was under control.
Why is it that the populist voices
based on so-called truth carried a lot
more and a lot further than the voices of
experts, who were largely unanimous
about the consequences of the decision?
Thats a big question. Is it an issue of the
economic outcome? Of the democratic
process? Of the communication channels?
Those questions warrant attention.
Europe is an incredible construction,
an extraordinary achievement in the
immediate aftermath of the Second
World War. Millions of people had died
at the hands of each other for centuries.
To actually decide that, in the name of
peace and prosperity, they were going
to establish a free-market zone where
products, services, and people can
actually move is something that should
not be wasted. The EU is a resilient
construction.
44

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Dan Bayer

Managing Director of the

International Monetary Fund
Christine Lagarde talks about
Britains decision to leave the
European Union.

We tell women who are

being abused to run. But
when girls run, we lock them
up for the offense of running
away. This is a vicious
example of the sexualabuse-to-prison pipeline.
Malika Saada Saar,

Leigh Vogel

senior counsel, civil and human rights, Google

Riccardo Savi

Black Lives Matter has

pushed me to go back into
my childhood. I grew up
in a very heterogeneous
communitymixed race,
mixed income. It was like
the Disney channeluntil
there were those moments
where the realities of how I
was taught to navigate the
world were not the same
realities or lessons that
were taught to my friends
who were not black.
Clint Smith,
poet and educator

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

45

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

The Hijacked
Humanities

Higher education was charged by the

government several years ago to develop
a report that looks at our success as
educators based on the salaries of
graduates at their first jobs. This made
me go berserk. The last thing we should
measure our success by is what a person
does the first year out of college. We
educate students for a lifetime, not
for one single job. An education is to
be able to understand when someone
is talking rot. In an age where we are
bombarded with misinformation, it is
even more important to distinguish: What
is a good argument? How is language
being deployed in ways you need to
unravel? The humanities are an important
tool for widening the world, for seeing
the world through somebody elses
eyesthrough literature or the histories
of other peoples experiencesand
developing empathy. Innovation is also
based in an understanding that things
can be different, and this is one of the
fundamental purposes of learning history.

46

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Riccardo Savi

Harvard President Drew Gilpin

Faust on how the humanities can
survive and flourish in an age of
reverence for technology and
quantification.

The way we design

humanitarian aid is a
failure. Syrians dont
want survival aid. They
want education, jobs.
They dont want to be
dependent on charity.
Kilian Kleinschmidt,

Riccardo Ssavi

chairman and founder,

Innovation and Planning Agency

Space can be empty, but

as Einstein taught us, it
doesnt just sit around
doing nothing. There are
ripples of space-time
that propagate at the
speed of light.
Nergis Mavalvala,

Nick Tininenko

Curtis and Kathleen Marble professor

of astrophysics, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

47

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

In 1994, when the genocide
began in Rwanda, there was
never a policy discussion
about whether or not
the United States should
intervene to stop it. There
were not editorials; there
were not debates in Congress.
There was nothing until it was
over. It may not be wise to
intervene in every instance.
But what I have learned is, we
have to have the discussion
and the debate.
Susan Rice,

Dan Bayer

assistant to the president for

national security affairs

48

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Clash of
Civilizations
Secretary of State John Kerry
examines Americas place
in the world at a time of
mounting insecurity.
The United States of America is
more engaged in more places with
more impact today than at any time
in history. With violent extremism and
the emergence of radical nonstate
actors, everybody knows the threat:
vicious attacks from Orlando to San
Bernardino to the Philippines and Bali.
Weve seen shocking crimes committed
by Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Jaysh Al
Islam, Ahrar Al Sham, Al Shabaab,
Daesh against innocent civilians. We
are more effectively hammering at their
heavy weapons, training camps, supply
routes, infrastructure. We have cut their
revenue at least in half. Were working
to destroy the Daesh narrativethat
they are the caliphate of the future.
It has been more than one year since
Daesh has launched a full-scale
military offensive. Thats because our
coalition is relentless on every front.
Yes, you can still bomb an airport.
You can blow yourself up. Thats the
tragedy: Daesh knows that we have to
get it right 24/7 365; they have to get
it right for ten minutes.
So at this festival of ideas my idea
is straightforward: We have to defeat
Daesh, its affiliates, and its imitators
wherever they raise their ugly heads.
This is not a clash of civilizations.
This is a clash of civilization against
barbarism.

Dan Bayer

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

49

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

Teaching
Trump to Dance
Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the US
House of Representatives, on the vice
presidency and power in Washington.

Nick Tininenko

Donald Trump has said he needs a vice

president who understands Washington because
he doesnt. With the vice presidency, you have
to look what the real relations are with the
senior staff. You always have tension with the
chief of staff. If you have a strong vice president,
then you have to work out the arrangement, so
that the chief of staff isnt threatened.
Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have enormous
leverage. If Trump wins, the first thing he has
to think about is, Gee, I would like to appoint
a Cabinet. The first person you have to talk
to about appointing the Cabinet is the Senate
majority leader. So if McConnell and Trump are
not dancing, he has a huge problem. Trump is
going to want to hold a number of measures
that pass the House and Senate. The total
power of schedulingexcept in the rarest
circumstancesis the speaker. Its a terrific job.
You have complete power. And so if Paul Ryan
decides he doesnt like what Trump is doing,
legislation just wont get scheduled.

50

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

If you only bring solutions

to the table, then you create
a culture of advocacy, not
of enquiry.
Adam Grant,

Dan Bayer

professor of management and psychology at

the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Monogamy was basically

an imposition on women
by the patriarchy in order
to know whose children
were whose and who gets
the cows when I die. It
was about patrimony and
lineage. It had zero to do
with love.
Esther Perel,

Riccardo Savi

psychologist; author, Mating in Captivity:

Unlocking Erotic Intelligence

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

51

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

52

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Guarding
Justice
Attorney General Loretta Lynch
tackles the tension between the
police and communities of color.
As Ive traveled the country, one of the
underlying concerns Ive heard residents
say is: We dont have a connection to
our local police force. Several years
past, a huge influx of narcotics came
into our communities. That certainly led
to consequences that we are trying now
to alleviate with criminal-justice reform.
But it also led to a view that aggressive
policing was necessary in order to deal
with narcotics and the violent crime that
comes along with them. There are those
who said the pendulum swung too far in
that direction.
Now, to say there is a frayed
relationship between law enforcement
and minority communities is the
understatement of this generation. Ive
been working on finding places where
communities and law enforcement
are working together, making positive
change, and where the police are the
guardians of the community.

I spent the first half of

my life being afraid and
the second half telling
people to be brave.
Jennifer Finney Boylan,

Riccardo Savi

Dan Bayer

transgender activist; author,

Shes Not There

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

53

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Ideas Festival

Shoot
the Moon

Afghan people hope

our troops wont leave
too fast. If we leave
Afghanistan, theres
a vacuum. They
want the security
that our troops give
them. Security gives
them time to build
institutions to create a
successful country.

Vice President Joe Biden talks

about his Cancer Moonshot and
why communication is everything.

Dan Bayer

Former First Lady

Laura Bush

54

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Imagine, given our ability to sequence

the cancer genome, were able to
aggregate all the biopsies that have
been done on cancer all in one place.
Imagine we can aggregate treatment
processes, all in one placewith
supercomputers to find patterns, look at
everything from lifestyle to what other
drugs youre taking, and find answers to
why so many people suffer from cancer.
Imagine if we were willing to share
this data. Imagine what we could do.
Breakthroughs are possible, but we have
to change the culture, and the culture
of medical research does not rest on
sharing data and information. I hosted a
cancer roundtable with top researchers
two were Nobel laureates. I asked them,
Tell me what youre doing. They told
me. Then I said, It sounds like youre all
doing the same thing. They all kind of
put their heads down. I said, Wouldnt
we make a hell of lot more progress if it
was all open data, if you shared it all?
And the answer was, Yeah. I privately
met with more than 280 of the leading
virologists, oncologists, immunologists
in the world. They all said, Were not
sharing data enough; if we did, we could
exponentially increase the potential
to answer a whole range of questions
relating to cancer therapies. Hell, Uber
can tell you exactly where everybody
is, but theres no place to find every
cancer trial. So theres going to be a new
website that aggregates every single,
solitary cancer trial in the United States.

Dan Bayer

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

55

Summer at Aspen: Resnick Aspen Action Forum

Top: Art by Aaron Huey Center: Ashley Entwistle and

the Action Pledge wall Bottom: Rehmah Kasule (left)
and Mariam Luyombo of the Africa Leadership
Initiative East Africa

56

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

n July, about 350 leaders representing 35 countries

landed in Aspen for the inaugural Resnick Aspen Action
Forum, a place for leaders from across the Aspen Global
Leadership Network to engage with each other and
increase their social impact. Now more than ever, society
is challenging us to ensure that liberty and justice for all is more
than a rote phrase, says Peter Reiling, the Institutes executive
vice president for leadership. We spur our Fellows and others to
combine their talents, resources, and platforms to address injustice
head-on around the world.
The AGLN operates 14 different fellowships, from South Africa
to the United States, which give leaders in various fieldssuch
as finance, health care, manufacturing, and tech innovation
the chance to apply their entrepreneurial skills to critical social
problems. Over the course of two years, Fellows meet four times to
dig deeper into the challenges of socially responsible leadership in
a globalized world.
The Fellows did not want their exploration to end when those
two years did. There was a growing need for a place to convene

Given the tragedies and inequities we see on what seems like a daily
basis around the globe, Loper says, there is no better time for the
Institute to host a global gathering of leaders focused on this theme.
Each year, about 70 percent of the Action Forum attendees
are AGLN Fellows, and the remaining 30 percent include Fellows
spouses or partners and nominated or sponsored participants.
Because the Forum brings together leaders from such a wide variety
of fields, the programming embodies a diversity of topics, ranging
from health and science to business leadership or human rights.
We try to blend the head and the heart, Loper says.
The format is true to the AGLN Fellowship experience

personalized, highly interactive, and geared toward action.

This years 350 participants engaged with each other in four
structured formats: topical discussions, text-based seminars, Action
Workshops, and skills workshops. Throughout the year, Reiling,
Loper, and the rest of the Action Forum team received hundreds
of topic suggestions for discussions and selected 42 to offer Fellows
and participants, including Race in America: Can we talk?; The
Future of Talent and Work; and Social Enterprise: The View

In Action
Dan Bayer

The inaugural Resnick Aspen Action Forum brought 350

leaders from 35 different countries to Aspen. By Alison Decker

after that initial Fellowship experience, says Tom Loper, the

managing director of the Forum. The AGLN managing directors
wanted to support the goal of a life-long journey to engage the
Institutes growing community of 2,300 international leaders. And
so the idea for the Forum was born in 2009 with the first of several
gatherings, originally planned to be held every two years.
Quickly, however, there was a huge demand for an annual event.
In 2013, Institute Trustee Lynda Resnick and her husband, Stewart
Resnick, began to provide $1 million annually to double both the
size and frequency of the Aspen Action Forum. With their support
the Forum flourished, nurturing leaders commitments to improve
the lives of people across the planet with projects that tackle crucial
topics like energy efficiency, college literacy, and medicine. Then
in 2015, the Resnicks provided a historic $15 million gift as a term
endowment to ensure the continuation of the event through 2030.
The Forum was renamed for them to reflect their generosity.
It is inspiring to see such a unique gathering of global leaders
committed to real and tangible action, says Lynda Resnick, the
vice chair and co-owner of the Wonderful Company. Stewart and
I are so pleased that this platform will help create ripples of hope
and opportunity around the world for generations to come.
This year, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum was called Leading
Toward Justicea theme crowdsourced from across the AGLN.

Resnicks and Walter Isaacson

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

57

Summer at Aspen: Resnick Aspen Action Forum

Stevenson

The Broken Will Lead Us to Justice

Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal
Justice Initiative and the author of Just Mercy, spoke to the Resnick
Aspen Action Forum about creating racial justice.
If we want justice, weve got to get closer to places
where injustice prevails. When you get proximate,
you understand things you cannot understand from a
distance. Yet many of us have been taught, if there is
a part of our community with abuse, drug addiction,
neglect, and despair, stay far away.
We are surrounded by the consequences of a history
of racial inequality. The great evil of American slavery
was not involuntary servitude and forced labor. It
was the narrative of racial difference we created to
legitimate the ideology of white supremacy that we
made up to feel more comfortable with enslavement.
We said black people are different than white people.
We cant get free until we change that narrative.
For decades, we did damage to people in this country.
And we havent done the things youre supposed to do to
recover. You cannot spend time in South Africa without

58

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

having to confront the legacy of apartheid. In Rwanda, you

are required to understand the legacy of the genocide.
The Germans actually want you to go Auschwitz and
reflect soberly on the legacy of the Holocaust. In America,
we do the opposite: You start talking about racial justice;
people start looking for the exits.
But we have to stay hopeful. You cannot create
justice unless you are hopeful about what you can do.
Hopelessness is the enemy of justice. We also have
to be willing to do uncomfortable things. We will not
create justice until were willing to position ourselves in
uncomfortable places and be witnesses.
If you get proximate, change narratives, stay hopeful,
and do uncomfortable things, it will break you. But in
brokenness, you will understand compassion. It is the
broken who understand the way justice really needs
to work.

from an Investor. Moderated, text-based Socratic seminars prompt

participants to reflect on their values as socially responsible leaders.
In the Action Workshops, participants serve as advisers to one
another, helping their peers overcome specific leadership challenges.
That could mean redefining a business plan for a Middle East
Fellow building an innovative social-media platform, say, or making
the case for an investment in arts education in Honduras. In skills
workshops, participants with expert backgrounds take the floor. This
years offerings included So Youre Thinking of Running for Public
Office, presented by Kristin Gisleson Palmer, a Rodel Fellow and a
former New Orleans city council member, and Building a Brand,
presented by Pauline Brown, a Henry Crown Fellow and the former
North America chairman of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Nearly every day at the Forum featured a public panel centered
on Leading Toward Justice: empowering girls and women, leveling
the playing field for educational opportunity, and thinking about
how business leaders can promote justice. The Forum also included
a special session on The Path to Justice with the Equal Justice
Initiatives Bryan Stevenson (please see page 58). But the rest of what
the participants discussed stays confidential. We see this as a space
where people can reflect without fear of judgement, Loper says. And
after this years spate of unexpected civic violence, participants were
looking forward to an intimate, soul-tending experience.
To that end, art installations at the Action Forum were designed to
help participants connect with the Forums theme. Janet Echelman,
a Henry Crown Fellow and an internationally recognized artist,
suspended a model-sized replica of one of her aerial sculptures, which
are intended to be inviting focal points for civic dialogue, in the Doerr
Hosier building. Visiting artist and National Geographic photographer
Aaron Huey displayed boldly colored posters and graphic art designed
to help grassroots-advocacy groups focused on criminal justice, Native
American rights, and other issues spread their messages via art. Forum
participants could tear off posters from perforated pads to take home.
AGLN Fellows are not only socially conscious and creative; they
inspire positive change. Thats why the Forum was the ideal place
Irvin

to announce the four John P. McNulty Prize finalists for 2016. The
prize is awarded to AGLN visionaries who are having significant
impact on their communities and the world in innovative, scalable,
and replicable ways. The winner will receive $100,000 for his or
her project, and the remaining laureates will each receive $10,000.
This year, ventures included creating jobs in rural South Africa,
empowering women in the Himalayas, demobilizing gangs in
Panama City, and revolutionizing prenatal care in South Carolina.
Dialogue and reflection (and, of course, hiking to Maroon Bells)
are not the only things to come out of the Forum. The emphasis
throughout the event is clear: turn thought to action. Each Fellow
makes an Action Pledgea public commitment to a socially good
projectthat is visually represented on campus. Since the first Forum
in 2013, more than 800 pledges have been made, and the AGLN
tracks their progress. Fellows write their pledges on a leaf that is then
added to trees in an art installation.
True to the diverse nature of the Fellows, the 2016 Action
Pledges addressed many kinds of issues. Arvind Malhan, with the
India Leadership Initiative, pledged to provide classes in English and
computer literacy to more than 5,000 underprivileged rural children
in India by 2020. Emile Cubeisy, with the Middle East Leadership
Initiative, pledged to identify, train, and empower 80 public-sector
servants in Jordan to design positive policy initiatives for their
communities. Adela Mendoza, with the Liberty Fellowship, pledged
to develop leadership skills among 20 talented Hispanic South
Carolinians so they can take charge in an array of fields by 2018.
And this year a major collaborative pledge was inspired by sessions
at the Forum itself. A group of about 30 Fellows, most of whom had
participated in a daylong Deep Dive called Race in America,
created a Truth and Reconciliation Collaborative Action Group.
The group, whose members range from education experts to public
officials, made an Action Pledge to start a national process to address
the repercussions of slavery and systemic racism in the United States.
Fellows from South Africa and Rwanda shared significant lessons
from which their North American counterparts could learn.
We are at a time in America where we couldnt just be left with
readings and discussion, says Nike Irvin, a Henry Crown Fellow.
After the course of the week, we felt that truth and reconciliation
could be approached strategicallyand we have the right layers
within the Action Forum circle to take it all in. Though still in the
planning stages, the group aims to have its pledge culminate in an
annual day of reconciliation, when diverse groups can come together
for dialogue, healing, and civic engagement to develop a pathway
forward. The process will be gradual. Of course we want things to
happen tomorrow, Irvin says. But this is daunting and large, and
the legacy of American slavery is long and very deep.
More than half of Forum participants were female this year, and
40 percent were from abroadbut even from so many different
countries and disciplines, they all have one thing in common: a deep
commitment to use their unique talents for social good. We may
be small in numbers compared with the challenges we face and the
changes we want to see in the world, Echelman says. But if we act
collectively, we have the power to make real change.

Alison Decker is the managing editor of Ideas: The Magazine of the
Aspen Institute.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

59

Summer at Aspen: Aspen Security Forum

ince its beginnings in 2010, the Aspen Security Foruma gathering

of leading experts and decision-makers at the center of international
securityhas become the nations premier event focused on keeping the
country and the world secure. The 2016 Forum featured three full days
of panel discussions and in-depth interviews with 80 experts, on topics
including cybersecurity threats, global terrorist organizations, the European migration
crisis, and the spread of Russias influence. The frankness of the dialogue makes the
Forum a unique gathering where the nuance and complexity of the issues at hand can be
fully explored, rather than boiled down to sound bites.
Speakers at ASF 2016 included CIA Director John Brennan; Lisa Monaco, President
Obamas assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism; Brett McGurk, special
presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL; Elissa Slotkin, assistant
secretary of defense; Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; and Secretary
of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, who kicked off the event with an interview with
Thom Shanker of The New York Times.
At the opening session, Johnson spoke about what he sees as the biggest threats
to homeland security, including the new styles of terror attacks occurring across the
globe. The thing that most keeps me up at night, he said, is the next Orlando or San
Bernadinotype attack by someone who has radicalized in secret. I believe that were
going to be addressing these types of events for a while.

Slotkin

Call Security
The 2016 Aspen Security Forum gathered
leading experts from around the world to
discuss making the world a safer place.
By Zach St. Louis

Zach St. Louis is a public-affairs coordinator at the Aspen Institute.

60

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Brennan

Monaco

Photos by Dan Bayer

Many speakers said that the ability of the internet to obscure radicalization is one of
the most troublesome ideas facing the world today. This generation of terrorists within
ISIL has made sophisticated use of all the different types of apps and communication
systems, Brennan said. The world can be their playground.
Many conversations centered on different types of cybersecurity concerns, especially
in light of the hacking of the Democratic National Committee computer systems, which
had just taken place. Without commenting specifically on that investigation, Monaco
said that it is a serious, serious issue if there is deliberate intrusion for the purpose of
coercing and influencing the political process. She went on to explain that cyber threats
are becoming more consequential as technologies advance. The cyber threat is one that
poses not only a national security but an economic security challenge for all of us.
The rise of international conflicts came up frequently, including Chinas naval
expansion in the South China Sea, North Koreas possession of nuclear arms, terrorist
attacks across Europe, and ongoing conflicts throughout the Middle East. During an
interview with NPRs counterterrorism correspondent, Dina Temple-Raston, Brennan
specifically addressed the future of the complex and ongoing conflict in Syria. I hope
theres an endgame in Syria, he said. I dont know whether or not [it] can be put back
together again. It was a comment that was picked up by media outlets across the country.
Over the course of its short history, the Aspen Security Forum has helped to shape
the national security agenda, says Clark Ervin, executive director of the Institutes
Homeland Security Program. As we enter next year with a new administration, my
hope is that the Forum will continue to be a place for bipartisan dialogue that serves
both policymakers and the public at large.

Johnson

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

61

Summer at Aspen: Summer Celebration

Through the Lens

of Humanity
Sheri and Howard Schultz discuss how they make
leading with compassion a reality.

Howard and Sheri

Schultz greet guests.

62

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

As part of a public conversation on values-based leadership preceding the Institutes 23rd annual Summer Celebration Dinner,
Howard and Sheri Schultz, this years recipients of the Aspen Institute Public Service Award, took the stage to discuss the role of the
Schultz Family Foundation, which works with citizens facing barriers to successparticularly opportunity youth and veteransin
the couples quest to improve and inspire an American social contract based on compassion. The Schultzes were joined by Oscar and
Grammy Awardwinning artist Common, who uses his music to fill a similar role. Some people go unheard, unseen, he told the group.
They are invisible. I take it upon myself to speak for those people and for every human being walking this earth.
Here are highlights from the Schultzes conversation with Walter Isaacson.
Walter Isaacson: What have you learned from running
Starbucks that helps you understand the type of governance we
should have in this country, or the type of values we should have?

C2 Photography

Howard Schultz: We have 25,000 stores in 73 countries. We

serve almost a hundred million customers each week, but the core
foundation of our company is our founding values and guiding
principles. In 1987, when we had 11 stores, we decided early on
that we were going to build
a different kind of business
model, where we would
achieve the fragile balance
of profit and conscience.
That meant we were going
to give ownership to every
employeeevery single
person at Starbucks who
works 20 hours or more,
which is 95 percent of our
employees, is an owner
of Starbucks globally. We
created comprehensive
health insurance 30 years
before the Affordable
Care Act. T his past
year, we honored college
achievement by giving free
college tuitionfor four
yearsto every employee.
Sheri and Howard Schultz
Were not smarter; were
not better. Were a coffee company. But all these things are
based on a recognition that culture and humanity are what
drive decisions and what we do. We are a performance-driven
company operating through the lens of humanity. Going back
to Washington, when I look at the decisions being made and the
divisiveness, complicity, liesthe humanity of the nation has been
stripped as a result of the fracturing of leadership.

think we could even call it a foundation. I would call it responsive

givingseeing incredible needs in the community and people
who needed help, grassroots organizations that lifted peoples
spirits and gave them hope.
I think our foundation honestly started in a van. The very first
time I went out in the community was to give at-risk, homeless
youth hot meals and socks. I was intimidated, for sure, but I
remember this moment when a young boy looked at me with
incredible eye contact and
said, Thank you, Im so
grateful, its so cold outside.
And I saw my son. So that
was really the beginning, the
impetus, of coming back to
Howard and saying, We
can do responsive giving,
but strategically, we have
to figure outwhat are
the greater needs of the
community and what is the
capacity to change?
WI: Tell me about the

veterans push.
SS: Theres a lot of
crossover between at-risk
youth and soldiers coming
home from war. Theyre
greatly misunderstood, they
dont know how to apply their skills to become assets, and we
dont understand who they are. They all have stories to tell
that are significant and help create who we are and how we
should identify ourselves as a nation. The work that were doing,
particularly with jobs but also with helping families and veterans
come home and adjustit changes the narrative of who we
are as people and gives us an opportunity to stop something
happening in America that is rampant and completely unfair.

WI: Twenty years ago, you launched the Schultz Family

Foundation. Tell me how it has evolved and what youve learned.

HS: We hired about 10,000 veterans.

Sheri Schultz: When we first started the foundation, I dont

SS: And 97,000 youth.

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

63

MAKE YOUR NEXT MEETING MEMORABLE

AT THE ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT

Incredible spaces. Extraordinary meetings. Host your next meeting here.

Experience our 40 sweeping acres. With 22,000 sq.ft. of meeting and event space, we can
host any size meeting or celebration. Paired with spacious suites and notable amenities, your
next meeting will be one to remember.

64

IDEAS

845 Meadows Road, Aspen, Colorado 81611

800.452.4240 www.aspenmeadows.com

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

The Aspen Journal of Ideas offers thought-provoking analysis and

issue-defining information from the programs and partners of the
Institute. The digital magazine, updated weekly, is at aspen.us/journal.

66

DESTINATION UNKNOWN
The 2016 election cycle has
been unprecedentedupending
conventional wisdom, bucking
trends, and at times defying belief.
Social media, extreme voices on
cable TV, and intractability in
Congress have all polarized the
electorate and made politics seem
like a blood sport rather than a
platform for civil action. And
when fear and resentment drive
the conversation, we all lose. Its no
wonder more and more Americans
consider themselves independents.
Dan Glickman looks at what
the major parties need to do to
resonate with votersrather than
drive them away.

68

ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE,

NO BARRIERS
Ever since the Supreme Court
effectively gutted the Voting
Rights Act, the United States has
experienced renewed interest in
electoral systems. While some
states are experimenting with
automatic or online registration
to increase voters ballot access,
many others are throwing up
barriersfrom strict voterID laws to a dearth of polling
placesthat prevent easy voting
access. But Michael Klein says
theres a single, simple solution:
A new amendment to the
Constitution.

70

YOUR BRAIN ON BABIES

New neuroimaging studies
reveal the potent changes that
occur in new parents brains that
propel them to care for their
infantsoften at the expense of
their own well-being. But such a
fundamental reorganization of
adult brain behavior is also a time
of distinct vulnerability. Some
parents may have the opposite
reaction to these changesand
respond poorly, get overwhelmed,
or become depressed. Sarah
Enos Watamura explores
how new science could help
those adults by igniting their
parenting brains.

Check out our new online essay series Election 2016: America Faces the Issues, where Aspen
Institute leaders pose solutions to the challenges driving the vote this fall. as.pn/election2016
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

65

ASPEN

T
O
H
E JOURNAL F

IDEAS

DESTINATION
UNKNOWN

Where do the parties go after the fractious 2016 campaigns?

If parties are to remain central or even relevant to the US
political process, theyd better decide soon.

Illustration By Jim Penola

BY DAN GLICKMAN

66

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Political differences have become a leading characteristic in

n 2016, the election has been a bulldozer, defying political
self-sorting by neighborhood. If you dont know any Republicans,
science, conventional wisdom, punditry, predictions, and,
and Democratic elected officials are telling you Republicans are
every so often, common sense. If politics is a reflection of
evil, its hard to see loyal opposition as anything but the enemy.
the id of society, then American society is anxious, afraid,
In addition, there has been an exponential increase in the
and distrustful of most institutions.
amount of campaign funds raised and spent in recent years
The insurgent candidacy of Senator Bernie Sanders and the
especially so-called dark money or unreported contributions.
nomination of Donald Trump demonstrate the loss of trust in
Much of that money is spent on vitriolic and negative ads on
political parties and in their traditional leaders. Both of these
TV and social media, further discouraging compromise and
politicians are exploiting rifts in the coalitions that form the base of
bipartisanship. I suspect that the 2016 elections, federal and state,
the Republican and Democratic parties. Whether it be class, race,
will see spending records and public disgust with the political
urban and rural, religious, or age divisions, this primary season
system reach all-time highs.
has highlighted what divides us, not what unites us. All of this
Perhaps if the United States had a parliamentary system
shows a wounded system of government and two political parties
like many European nations, this would be less problematic for
that are looking toward uncertain futures. Yet the Democratic
governance. But because the US system can only function on
Party and the GOP are storied institutions in American life. Party
compromise, the nation is in its current
organization is a critical pillar of
state of extreme dysfunction. With so
democratic governance. So where do
few evenly balanced congressional
political parties go after 2016?
districts, the political base of each
First, lets look at the past. For
party, often representing the ideological
Its
easier
to
get
people
to
many years, political-party affiliation
extremes of the parties, determines the
was a loose set of guidelines, or a
vote if they are afraid of
agenda for the candidates and elected
spectrum of beliefs. There were
officials, which leads to political
liberal Republicans, conservative what the other party might do gridlock. And gridlock leads to voter
Democrats, and much in between.
disappointment with parties and with
than it is to inspire voter
Political newcomers and incumbents
governments.
could run as proudly affiliated with support with a comprehensive
Voters have expressed this
a political party, receive substantial
frustration
by pulling the levers for
plan to, say, make the tax
support from the partys campaign
political outsiders. The extreme
infrastructure, but still retain
positions and rhetoric of Trump
code more progressive.
independence when necessary and
have clearly created an opening for
important.
Each
congressional
profound divisions in the Republican
district or state required its elected
Party. Even Governor Mitt Romney,
officials to understand the places in
the GOPs 2012 candidate, is
which the community felt strongly about an issue. In Kansas, for
encouraging Republicans to not vote for Trump. There are
example, support for agriculture subsidies was strong across party
some parallels, even if less severe, with Sanders supporters on
lines because folks understood what could happen to their way of
the Democratic side.
life if the bottom fell out of commodity markets.
So where does this lead? The most growth in political
In my own case, while in Congress, I voted with the national
affiliation is in the numbers of Americans who are selfDemocrats 60 to 70 percent of the time, but I would often vote
identified independents. Unless party ideology becomes less
with Republicans when it was in the interest of my constituents.
rigid and political independence for their members more
I wasnt afraid to cast these votes because I felt they were the
common, Americans will eventually see political parties as
right things for Kansans. I didnt fear party reprisal. Democratic
irrelevant. Will they tune out politics completely, disengage
campaign officials understood that I felt the need to take certain
and not vote at all?
positions against the party. That didnt make me a traitor.
Whatever the result of the current election, something
Today, elected officials cross party lines much less frequently,
needs to happen in order for the government to respond to the
if at all. Certainly voters have become more partisan themselves.
big issues of this time in US history. Will voters demand that
But in my judgment, increased partisanship among voters is the
their politicians commit to solving major national problems like
effect and not the cause of increased partisanship in political
fixing the nations infrastructure, fighting terrorism sensibly,
institutions. Campaign consultants, in coordination with the news
upgrading energy policy, making progress on long-term fiscal
media and well-funded organizations with extreme views, have
soundness, or making college more affordable? It is in the
used modern communications tools to exploit emotions like fear
hands, hearts, and minds of the American people to demand
and anxiety to increase turnout among their supporters. Its easier
political change.
to get people to vote if they are afraid of what the other party
might do than it is to inspire voter support with a comprehensive
Dan Glickman is vice president of the Aspen Institute and the executive
plan to, say, make the tax code more progressive or to rein in
director of the Institutes Congressional Program.
government spending in the Department of Education.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

67

ASPEN

T
O
H
E JOURNAL F

IDEAS

ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE,

NO BARRIERS

Yet another round of challenges to the most fundamental

of American rights calls for the most fundamental of
American changes.
BY MICHAEL KLEIN
68

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

n the midst of another election cycle, Americans find

themselves also in the midst of a plethora of votingrights issues. Some statesOregon, California, and
Washingtonare experimenting with online registration
and other devices to increase access to registration and voting.
Other statesTexas, North Carolina, and Ohio, encouraged
by Shelby County v. Holder, a 2013 split Supreme Court decision
eviscerating the Voting Rights Acthave created new barriers
to voting registration and ballot access. These new barriers
have led in turn to a flurry of litigation raising constitutional
challenges to the new stringent state voter-restriction laws.
As the nation heads into a presidential election, all this action
highlighted the fundamental weakness of the Constitution: it does
not adequately define or protect the right of every citizen
to vote. And the right to vote is the underpinning
of Americas identity as the worlds greatest
representative democracy.
Amending the Constitution to enhance the
right of citizens to vote has been a long-standing
challenge. Importantly, it is a challenge the nation
has repeatedly met. Despite the extreme difficulty
of amending the Constitution, on no fewer than
seven occasions amendments have been made to the
original provisions governing the rights of citizens to
vote. Those amendments have been necessary because
although the Founding Fathers, as we refer to them, started
the Constitution with the phrase We the people, they must
have known it was a bit of a fiction. As Tonto, the fictional Native
American sidekick, famously asked the Lone Ranger, the fictional
cowboy, What do you mean we, white man?
Reflecting 18th-century racism, sexism, and elitism, the
Founding Fathers had a very narrow view of who should be the
voters in their declared democracy. The original Constitution
did not define voting eligibility. It was left to the 13 original
states to decide who could vote. The states in turn created a
very limited class of those eligible to vote: free men over the
age of 21 who owned property. And since the Constitution
limited the power of even those voters to directly elect only a
very limited number of federal offices, that narrow white male
propertied minority of the population could vote directly only
to elect members of the House of Representatives. Senators
were elected by state legislatures, and the president and vice
president by an Electoral College whose members were elected
by the legislatures of the states.

Not quite what we think of as democracy today!

Americans have had to travel a very long way toward having a

government by the consent of the governed, as the Declaration
of Independence promised, or to become Abraham Lincolns

The US government has never

gotten around to providing a
singular robust affirmation of the
basic right of citizens to vote.

government of the people, by the people, for the people. Well

over a century, in fact. The process of expanding the rights to
vote began after the Gettysburg Address and the Civil War, and
continued through those seven amendments to the Constitution.
The amendments first enfranchised former slaves and threatened
states with lesser representation if they deprived citizens of voting
rights for reasons other than crimes. They then assured all citizens
of equal protection of the lawsthen women, then citizens over
the age of 18. They then abolished the poll tax and provided for
the direct election of senators.
Notably, and rather magnificently, every one of those seven
constitutional expansions of the right to vote was approved by
voters who thereby reduced their previous voting power
apparently for the sake of fulfilling all those wonderful
promises of representative democracy in the
Declaration of Independence, the Constitutions
preamble, and the Gettysburg Address.
Because, however, the severely constricted
18th-century attitudes toward equality that
infected the promised democratic ideal were
disinfected one narrowly focused amendment
at a time, the US government has never gotten
around to providing a singular robust affirmation
of the basic right of citizens to vote. This, and
the limiting and limited decisions of US courts
particularly the recent Shelby decision striking down the
core of the Voting Rights Acthas enabled those who have
been motivated by racist, partisan, or other reasons to persist in
continuing to create obstacles to the most fundamental of the
nations basic ideals: universal representative democracy.
National leaders know how to fix this problem. Arduous though
the Constitution makes it, the solution is one more amendment to
the Constitution addressing voting rights. The Constitutions First
Amendmentprohibiting any law restricting political rights of
speech, assembly, press, and petitionestablished and provides the
model. The courts read it clearly. To in any way inhibit those political
rights, a law must pass strict scrutiny. For any infringement on
those freedoms to pass muster, it must demonstrably be the least
restrictive needed to achieve a necessary objective.
So should it be with the right to vote. After all, those First
Amendment political rights of speech, assembly, press, and
petition are as protected as they are precisely to make possible
the meaningful exercise of voting rightsinformed, intelligent,
and free. A fortiorifrom the greater, the lesser is knownas legal
scholars note.

Here is a text that can achieve whats needed:

Neither the Congress nor any State shall deprive or inhibit the
right of any native-born or naturalized adult Citizen to vote in
any duly called election.
What plausible reason, other than the complexity of the
effort, can be offered in opposition to this proposal? It has been
done before. America can and should do it againfinally.
Michael Klein, chairman and co-founder of the public-interest Sunlight Foundation,
is a Trustee of the Aspen Institute.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

69

ASPEN

T
O
H
E JOURNAL F

IDEAS

YOUR BRAIN
ON BABIES

70

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

WHY WILL PARENTS ABANDON EVERYTHING TO CARE FOR THEIR

BABIES, AND WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE OVERWHELMED BY THEIR
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES? NEW RESEARCH HAS SOME ANSWERS.
SARAH ENOS WATAMURA, PH.D.

newborns cry pierces the stillness of 4:00 a.m.

as darkness loses its grip on the sky. My wife and I
are bone-tired, neither of us has slept more than an
hour in days, not since before we were her parents.
Its our first night home from the hospital with our first child
no nurses, no family. Although we are beyond exhausted, that
cry has brought us both to full attention hour after hour
propelling us out of bed and to her side, again and again. In a
few short months we will know just how to soothe her, the right
touch, the right song, and when she is hungry, or wet, or cold.
But tonight, we fumble, we struggle, we despair, we persevere.
That wild force that propels us to her side? Its powered by
a changing brain and a flood of potent hormones. The power
of a new parents changing brain is often overlookedand its
something that needs to be understood and supported if all
families and communities are to be healthy and thriving. Im a
researcher at the University of Denver and a fellow of Ascend,
the Institute program focused on breaking the cycle of poverty.
With my colleague Dr. Pilyoung Kim and others, Im engaged
in a new line of neuroimaging studies of the specific regions of
the brain that change to support parenting.
A changing brain that drives new parents to care for their
offspring while subjugating their own most basic needs for food
and sleep is not unique to humans. New mother rats will choose
their pups cry over even cocaine, though rats who arent parents
choose cocaine over food and water. And this isnt unique to
mothersin biparental species like humans and prairie voles,
the same changes happen for new moms and new dads.
Three key changes have been documented. In the reward
circuitthe part of the brain that orients us toward and
motivates us to seek out things like food and sex and the
part that is co-opted by drugsthere are changes in size and
structure, and the brain becomes more responsive to the sounds
and images of ones own baby. More growth in the reward
circuit is also related to how often parents say their infant is
beautiful and perfect. In the social-information circuita
part of the brain important for recognizing and processing
social signals, and a part that operates differently when people
have disorders such as autismthere is also structural growth
and increased responsiveness to infant signals. Lastly, there
are changes in the emotion-regulation circuit. Changes here
are twofold, as optimal social responsiveness requires that you
both detect and feel empathy at anothers distress and can also
regulate your own distress so you can actually help. The changes
here involve prefrontal control of amygdala activation. More

supportive parenting neurobiology is strongly related to the level

of sensitivity that caregiving parents provide.
The transition to parenting is a sensitive perioda time of
openness and a time of vulnerability. New parents are open to
massive structural and functional brain reorganization, but they
are also at heightened risk for stress and mood disorders. The
vulnerability may be particularly heightened when new parents
have a history of poor caregiving or have experienced trauma,
depression, or substance-use disorders. In fact, when new parents
start with any of these vulnerabilities, they may experience fewer
supportive neurobiological changes, making the transition to
parenting that much more challenging. When parents who are
struggling in their new role say, Im not sure I love this baby as
much as I should, or, When she cries, I curl up and cry, tooIm
so overwhelmed, they may be telling us that their brains are not
yet providing them the extra boost of support they need.
What can be done when the already very tough job of
parenting is made that much tougher? In a new study, Dr. Kim,
Dr. Phil Fisher, and I are testing just this. If science can help
parents improve the core of their relationship to their babies,
reduce the stress of parenting, and help them improve their
parenting self-efficacy, can their brains be jump-started toward a
reorganization that supports parenting?
I believe this is possible. Brains change. When people exercise
and learn and grow, they build more efficient, effective, and robust
brain circuits. Brain changes reflect and support peoples most
important transitionsin early life, in adolescence, and during
the transition to parenting. If parents can be helped to exercise
their positive parenting muscles, supportive parenting brain
circuitry should get stronger, tooeven in those parents whose
brains have been tuned to negative inputs and subject to insults.
Parents need to believe that everyone has the capacity to be
wonderful parents. They need to share their questions and fears
with their doctors, pediatricians, and families, so they can get the
support they need. And it is the responsibility of pediatricians,
early childhood teachers, social workers, and anyone else who
works with young families to help parents build their parenting
muscles. The social fabric of families and communities depends
on it.
Sarah Enos Watamura, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychology at the
University of Denver, where she directs the Child Health & Development Lab
and co-directs the Stress, Early Experience and Development Research Center.
She is a part of the 2015 class of the Aspen Institute Ascend Fellows.
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

71

FACES:

Spring Trustee and

Society of Fellows Reception

Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg and Stephen Gardner

Ambassador
Kenichiro Sa
sae
and Joseph
Gildenhorn

Suzi Cordish and Ann Nitze

gham

Andy Cunnin

David Cordish

Michael Klein and Joan Fabry

Bill Budinger and Ken Davis

Laurie Tisch and Eden Rafshoon

Alma G

ildenho

rn, Sus

an Klein

Alex Wirth, Larry Thomas, Beverly Backus

72

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

and Jo

hn Klein

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

73

FACES: Aspen Ideas Festival

Josphat Lowoi

ulty

Anne McN

Laura Bush

Christine
Lagarde
and Jane
Harman

Mitt Romney

Vivek
Mu

rthy

Susan Rice

74

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Rene Fleming and

David Rubenstein

Photos by Dan Bayer and Leigh Vogel

David Lienemann Photo

Cathy Isaacson, Joe Biden,

Walter Isaacson

THE NATIONS PREMIER ANNUAL

GATHERING OF YOUTH, SPORT
AND HEALTH LEADERS

Michael Wilbon, ESPN

Billie Jean King, Civil Rights Pioneer

Dr. Bennet Omalu, UC Davis

Building Sport for All,

Play for Life Communities

p 65 speakers
p 450 attendees
p 100k+ online viewers
p Major announcements

This has to become a

priority in our society
First Lady Michelle Obama

High-flying kids!

RWJFs Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, YMCAs Jorge Perez

Sport-sampling adults!

Thank you to our partners

Additional thanks to ESPN and William E. Mayer

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

75

FACES: Socrates Program Dinner

Ann Frie

dman an

d Orly Fri

edman

Leigh Hafrey

Bill and Zo

Budinger

Kay Bucksbaum and Laura Lauder

Mercedes Bass
and Alan Fletch
er

ss
Jimmy Rei

Lynda Resnick

Lee Browne, Jackie Browne, Pixie Reiss

76

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Leigh Vogel

Tom Friedman

Focus

on the landscape.

Focus

on the ideas Aspen inspires.

Focus

on creating experiences
and life long memories.

I will focus on your

real estate investment.

Sarah Burggraf

Specializing in Luxury Rentals & Sales

Sarah Burggraf

Broker Associate
970.875.7345 ext. 804 | 970.445.7185 cell
sarahb@masonmorse.com
Snowmass Village | 970.923.7700
www.masonmorse.com
IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

77

FACES: 23rd Annual Summer Celebration

Melony Lewis
hultz

Sheri Sc

Madeleine Albright
and Common

James Crown and Robert Steel

Leonard

Lauder an

d Joseph
G

ildenhorn

John Fullerton

Hope Bynum and Bill Bynum

Ann Nitze, Mary Anderson, Paul Anderson

r
Troy Carte
Caption

Howard Schultz

78

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Alma Gildenhorn, Susan Klein and John Klein

C2 Photography

Caption

ERICKSON RANCH Aspen, CO

Red Mountain with acreage Extreme privacy 6,400 SF
Seven above grade bedrooms Five and one half bathrooms
11.8 Acre lot with 51 contiguous common acres Unobstructed views
from Independence Pass to Mt. Sopris Five minutes to downtown Aspen
Senior water rights Horse property Additional FAR available
Common Area
51 Acres Caretakers house Barn and fenced in pastures
www.EricksonRanchAspen.com

Lifestyle. Luxury. Legacy.

WELL FIND YOURS.

Offered for $23,500,000

970.544.5800
Broker@AspenAssociatesRealty.com
Chris Flynn

Scott Davidson

Tony DiLucia

Colter Smith

Ryan Elston

IDEAS
SPECIAL ISSUE 2016
79
www.AspenAssociatesRealty.com

Participants in Monterrey

Williams

Bryant Castillo de Lern

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

ASPEN INSTITUTE MXICO

In June, Aspen Institute Mxico organized a series of open
forums designed to analyze the political and economic
environment of Mexico. Together with Vector Casa de Bolsa,
a Mexican brokerage firm based in Monterrey, AspenMX
brought together the renowned political analysts and
journalists Len Krauze, Carlos Puig, and Jess Silva-Herzog
Mrquez, as well as Alan Stoga, founder and president of
Zemi Communications, for an event titled Mexico: Where are
we? Where are we going? What to expect for 2018? Economic
and political outlook for Mexico and the United States. There

were two editions of the event, one in Mexico City and one in
Monterrey, each with more than 800 participants.
In addition, on June 29, AspenMX, in collaboration with
PwC Mexico, hosted the launch of the new book Green
Giants: How Smart Companies Turn Sustainability into BillionDollar Businesses, by E. Freya Williams. During the event,
the author explained the business case for sustainability by
looking at nine billion-dollar companies that have managed to
maintain profits while contributing to the worlds sustainable
development.

80

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Aspen Seminar for

Leaders particpants

Photo courtesy of Aspen Institute Romania

ASPEN ROMANIA

A joint Aspen Institute Romania and Aspen Institute Kyiv

initiative, the Aspen Seminar for Leaders provided a forum
for discussions about The Moral and Practical Fundaments
of Good Governance in the region, with a focus on the
Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. This May, the
seminar gathered a mixed group of Romanian, Moldavian, and
Ukrainian participants, including Igor Munteanu, the former
ambassador of Moldova to the United States and Canada;
David Puie, the counselor for foreign affairs, Prime Ministers
Chancellery, Romanian government; and representatives of
major companies and NGOs in the region. Sergey Koshman,
the executive director at Aspen Institute Kyiv, also joined
the conversation on values-based leadership. The seminar
was moderated by Andrei Tarnea, the executive director of
Aspen Institute Romania, and Denis Poltavets, the program
development director of Aspen Institute Kyiv. The seminar is
a striking example of the power of the Aspen idea and the
Socratic method in the difficult and diverse context of postcommunist societies.

ASPEN KYIV
This May, Aspen Institute Kyiv officially
lauched with a public event. Aspen Kyiv was
officially approved by the Aspen Institute
in November 2015 as part of its network of
ten international partners in Europe, Latin
America, and Asia. The goal of Aspen Kyiv is
to become a valuable and respected platform
for open dialogue to address regional
challenges.
We are proud to bring the Aspen Institutes
values-based leadership approach to Kyiv,
said Institute Executive Vice President Elliot
Gerson. There are few places in the world
today where Aspen values of tolerance, good
governance, and the search for common
ground are more critically in demand. Aspen
Institute CEO Walter Isaacson added: The
Aspen Institute supports global independent
affiliates, such as Aspen Kyiv, because we seek
to create a diverse worldwide community of
leaders committed to the greater good. The
notion of good has a special resonance at
the Institute. The motivations and innovative
ideas inspired by the exchanges facilitated
around its tables are providing the impetus
to build that good societyone continually
striving for improvement, individually and
collectively, driven by the ideas that are
contemplated and the actions that are taken.
Aspen Institute Kyiv is governed by a
board of trustees chaired by Natalie Jaresko.

History

Respect

Leadership

Results

I have been a part of the

Aspen community and
affiliated with the Aspen
Institute for over 30 years.
Having been trusted to
develop and sell some of the
most prestigious properties
in our area, it would be my
pleasure to help you with
your real estate needs.

JOHN SARPA

970.379.2595
John@JohnSarpa.com

Helen Bozhko

Floral Arts
for Weddings, Events & Everyday

970.920.6838 ~ www.sashae.com

Jaresko

300 Puppy Smith St. ~ Aspen, CO

Sashae_AspenIdea_sum14.indd 1

IDEAS

S P E C I A L I S S4/27/14
U E 2 07:28
1 6 PM
81

FACTS/PROGRAMS

Dan Bayer

SEMINARS

Seminars help participants explore the tensions among

the values that form our conception of a Good Society,
with the aim of deepening knowledge, broadening
perspectives, and enhancing the capacity to solve the
problems leaders face. Our unique, humanities-based
approach to leadership development uses a variety of
classic and contemporary philosophical and literary
texts as the basis for intensive, interactive roundtable
discussions led by skilled moderators in small groups of
1520 participants. Facebook.com/AspenLeadership Twitter: @AspenDialogue
82

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

83

FACTS/PROGRAMS
THE ASPEN EXECUTIVE SEMINAR ON LEADERSHIP,
VALUES, AND THE GOOD SOCIETY
The Aspen Executive Seminar challenges leaders in every
field to clarify the values by which they lead and to think
more critically and deeply about their impact on the world
in a moderated, text-based Socratic dialogue.
aspeninstitute.org/aspenseminar

JUSTICE & SOCIETY SEMINAR

Co-founded by the late Supreme Court Justice Harry A.
Blackmun, this seminar brings together people from diverse
backgrounds to discuss what we mean by justice and how
a just society ought to structure its legal, judicial, and
political institutions. Roundtable discussions are led by two
distinguished and experienced moderators: a federal or state
high court judge and a professor of law or political theory.

OCTOBER 1-7, 2016 | WYE RIVER

Contact Michael.Green@aspeninstitute.org: aspeninstitute.org/jss

MARCH 11-17, 2017 | ASPEN, CO

JULY 6-12, 2017 | ASPEN, CO

APRIL 8-14, 2017 | ASPEN, CO

APRIL 22-28, 2017 | WYE RIVER
MAY 6-12, 2017 | WYE RIVER
JUNE 3-9, 2017 | ASPEN, CO
AUGUST 12-18, 2017 | ASPEN, CO
SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2017 | ASPEN, CO

ASPEN ROMANIA LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

In collaboration with Aspen Institute Romania, this seminar
explores the specific leadership challenges facing business,
government, and civil society in a post-communist environment.
aspeninstitute.org/romaniaseminar
TBD | SUSAI MOUNTAIN RESORT, ROMANIA

OCTOBER 14-20, 2017 | WYE RIVER

LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER

Leadership and Character takes up where the Aspen
Executive Seminar leaves off, looking at the internal
context of making leadership decisions and exploring the
competing tensions that form our internal moral compass.
aspeninstitute.org/characterseminar

WYE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

In a longstanding collaboration with the Association of
American Colleges and Universities, these seminars engage
faculty, senior academic administrators, and college
presidents in an exchange of ideas about liberal arts
education, citizenship, and the global polity.
aspeninstitute.org/wyeseminars

OCTOBER 2730, 2016 | ASPEN, CO

NATURE, SOCIETY, AND SUSTAINABILITY

Nature, Society, and Sustainability provides both updated
content and a values framework as we balance the tensions
between a vibrant human social and economic ecology and
environmental sustainability.
aspeninstitute.org/natureseminar

WYE DEANS' SEMINAR

TBD | WYE RIVER, MD

WYE FACULTY SEMINAR

JULY 15-21, 2017 | WYE RIVER, MD

ASPEN ESPAA SEMINAR

Transatlantic Values at a Crossroads:
Contemporary Leadership Challenges
In collaboration with Aspen Institute Espaa, this seminar
probes the European context of modern leadership in
the midst of the uncertainties in democratic capitalism,
nationalism, and culture. aspeninstitute.org/espanaseminar
OCTOBER 2023, 2016 | RONDA, SPAIN

CUSTOM SEMINARS
In addition to our open enrollment leadership development
programs, we work with individual organizations to design
and execute custom seminars on specific business growth and
leadership development issues. We use our unique method
of moderated dialogue and draw upon more than 65 years of
experience to help organizations achieve their goals.
aspeninstitute.org/customseminar

ASPEN ITALIA SEMINAR

Values and Society & Leadership, Globalization,
and the Quest for Common Values
In collaboration with Aspen Italia, these concurrent
seminars explore the cultural challenges of leadership in a
European context, deepening partcipants' understandings
of the values by which they lead even as those values are
tested by the demands of globalization.

As a CEO, taking time to

sharpen the saw is critical.
The Aspen Seminar is the best
whetstone out there.
Reed Hastings, founder and CEO, Netflix

MARCH 25, 2017 | CASTELVECCHIO PASCOLI, LUCCA, ITALY

FOR MORE INFORMATION,

CONTACT THE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS.

84

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Elevating Healthcare
IN ASPEN
When it comes to living healthy, Aspen
Valley Hospitals team of experts strive
to deliver exceptional and compassionate
medical care every day.
Making sure our staff and physicians
have world-class facilities, equipment
and resources is a shared mission of
our generous donors and Aspen Valley
Hospital Foundation.
Join us, as we continue to elevate
healthcare in our community for
generations to come.

supportaspenvalleyhospital.org
Deborah Breen, President / CEO 970-544-1302

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

85

FACTS/PROGRAMS

THE SOCRATES PROGRAM

The Socrates Program provides a forum for emerging leaders (ages 2850) from
a wide range of professions to explore contemporary issues through expertmoderated roundtable dialogue. aspeninstitute.org/socrates

Innovative | Inspiring | Inviting

This amazing off the grid home

features quality finishes coupled with
an unbelievable setting encompassing
mountain views and Aspens groves.
This Old Snowmass secret will
enchant you.
$4,250,000

SOCRATES NEW YORK SALON | NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Transformational Business: Inclusion, Leadership, and Culture
Moderators: Susan P. Sturm, George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social
Responsibility; founder, Center for Institutional and Social Change, Columbia
Law School. Heidi Brooks, senior lecturer on organizational behavior, Yale
School of Management
NOVEMBER 4-5, 2016
SOCRATES MEXICO | PUEBLA, MXICO
The Future of Work in the Digital Economy
Moderator: Sonal Shah, professor and founding executive director, Beeck
Center for Social Impact and Innovation, Georgetown University
NOVEMBER 17-20, 2016
SOCRATES SAN FRANCISCO RECEPTION | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 7, 2016
SOCRATES LOS ANGELES SALON | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 9-10, 2016
SOCRATES KYIV | KYIV, UKRAINE
The Future of Privacy and Transparency: Surveillance in a Digital Age
Moderator: Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO, National Constitution Center
DECEMBER 9-11, 2016

Private Setting in the Core

This spectacular Alps corner unit

features wrap around decks for
dining and gathering, while the large
windows splash the open floor plan
with light and bring the adjoining
forest into each room.
$2,950,000

WINTER SEMINARS | ASPEN, COLORADO

FEBRUARY 17-20, 2017

THE SOCIETY OF FELLOWS

The Society of Fellows is an engaged community of supporters who are active
in the Institutes programs, act as advocates and ambassadors, and help sustain
the Institutes mission. For more on joining the Society of Fellows, contact Peter
Waanders at 970.544.7912 or at peter.waanders@aspeninstitute.org.
SOF DISCUSSION RECEPTIONS FEATURING:
Dan Glickman and Mickey Edwards: Elections and Politics in America
SEPTEMBER 21 | PRIVATE HOME | NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Adam Grant: How Non-Conformists Move the World
OCTOBER 13 | PRIVATE HOME | NEW YORK, NEW YORK

CAROL DOPKIN
The Realtor with Horse Sense
970.618.0187 cell
Carol@CarolDopkin.com
www.CarolDopkin.com

David Gergen: The Election and American Political Trends

OCTOBER 25 | PRIVATE HOME | WASHINGTON, DC
Jeffrey E. Garten: From Silk to Silicon:
The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives
NOVEMBER 16 | PRIVATE HOME | SAN FRANCISCO
SOF Vanguard Chapter Holiday Party Featuring Neal Katyal:
US Supreme Court Decisions that Changed the Course of History in 2016
DECEMBER 8 | PRIVATE HOME | ASPEN, COLORADO
Please visit aspeninstitute.org/sof for a complete list of Society of Fellows events.

86

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Red Mountain Remodel or Redevelopment

Half-acre lot, panoramic Aspen Mtn views | $3,975,000

Castle Creek Compound

5 bdrm main house, 4 bdrm guest cabins | $8,640,000

Saddle Ridge Ranch

Two Starwood Building Sites

1,232 acres, under an hour from Aspen | $15,900,000

7.6 acres, wide open views | $6,780,000

Conundrum Creek Riverfront

5 bedrooms, only 4.6 miles to Aspen | $8,900,000

Conundrum Creek Frontage

Build 50-feet from the river, 2.8 acres | $4,459,000

Heidi Houston | 970.925.6866 | 888.925.6866 | heidi@compass.com

aspen.compass.com

970.925.6063

compass

compassinc

compass
IDEAS

MIDSUMMER 2016

Real estate agents affiliated with Compass are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Compass. Equal Housing Opportunity. Compass is a licensed real estate broker located at 90 Fifth Avenue,
3rd Fl. NY, NY 10011. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All
property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 212.913.9058.

87

FACTS/PROGRAMS

LEADERSHIP

Dan Bayer

THE INSTITUTE CULTIVATES ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERS AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO

TACKLE THE GREAT CHALLENGES OF OUR TIMES THROUGH SOCIAL VENTURES. SPANNING
VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIC AND ISSUE AREAS, WE HOST 14 DIFFERENT FELLOWSHIPS.

AGLN Fellows from around the world share leadership

insights at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum.

THE ASPEN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK

Each Aspen Global Leadership Network program, inspired by the Henry Crown Fellowship Program, is developing
a new generation of civically engaged men and women by encouraging them to move from success to
significance and to apply their entrepreneurial talents to addressing the foremost challenges of their organizations,
communities, and countries. Today, there are more than 2,300 Fellows in 50 countries.
HENRY CROWN FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM

FINANCE LEADERS
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

PAHARA-ASPEN EDUCATION
FELLOWSHIP

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
henrycrown

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
financeleaders

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/pahara

AFRICA LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE (ALI)

INDIA LEADERSHIP
INITIATIVE (ILI)

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
healthinnovators

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
africaleadership

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS
FELLOWSHIP
agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
environment
ASPEN INSTITUTE-RODEL
FELLOWSHIPS IN PUBLIC LEADERSHIP

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
indialeadership

CHINA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/
chinafellowship

LIBERTY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/liberty

agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/rodel

CENTRAL AMERICA LEADERSHIP

INITIATIVE (CALI)
agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/CALI

88

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

HEALTH INNOVATORS FELLOWSHIP

MIDDLE EAST LEADERSHIP

INITIATIVE (MELI)
agln.aspeninstitute.org/fellowships/MELI

CENTER FOR URBAN

INNOVATION

The center bridges the gap between

innovators and underserved
neighborhoods, so that innovators focus
more attention on community challenges
and so neighborhood residents can bring
their own groundbreaking ideas to life.
aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/
center-urban-innovation

AspenLodgeProperties.com
PRESENTED BY SUSAN GUGGENHEIM LODGE | Going Above & Beyond

QUINTESSENTIAL SKI-IN, SKI-OUT

1627 Wood Road, Snowmass Village, CO
GUGGENHAUS WEST $3,950,000

OLD SNOWMASS RIVERFRONT HOME

26501 Highway 82, Snowmass, CO
CAST A LINE FROM YOUR DECK $1,750,000

970.379.1467 | Susan.Lodge@sir.com | 300 S. Spring Street, Aspen

Aspen Pitkin County Airport

DELIVERING THE
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL
AND SCHOOL

BRANDON BELL, PERCUSSION | JT KANE, VIOLA | LISA DEMPSEY, VIOLIN

N O N - S T O P C H I C A G O D E N V E R L O S A N G E L E S S A N F R A N C I S C O H O U S T O N D A L L A S / F T.W O R T H

A SPEN AIRPORT.COM

FACTS/PROGRAMS

Dan Bayer

POLICY

Policy programs and initiatives serve as nonpartisan forums

for analysis, consensus-building, and problem-solving on a
wide variety of issues.

ASCEND AT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE

CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM

ascend.aspeninstitute.org

aspeninstitute.org/congressional

ASPEN FORUM FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS

aspencommunitysolutions.org

ASPEN GLOBAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT

aspeninstitute.org/ghd

ASPEN INSTITUTE LATINOS AND SOCIETY PROGRAM

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/eop

EDUCATION AND SOCIETY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/education

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/ee

aspeninstitute.org/latinos-society

GLOBAL ALLIANCES PROGRAM

ASPEN NETWORK OF DEVELOPMENT ENTREPRENEURS

aspeninstitute.org/ande

ASPEN PLANNING AND EVALUATION PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/apep

ASPEN STRATEGY GROUP

aspeninstitute.org/asg

BUSINESS AND SOCIETY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/bsp

aspeninstitute.org/global-alliances

FINANCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/fsp

HEALTH, MEDICINE, AND SOCIETY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/health

HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/security

JUSTICE AND SOCIETY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/justice

CENTER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH

aspeninstitute.org/cnay

PROGRAM ON PHILANTHROPY AND

SOCIAL INNOVATION

CITIZENSHIP AND AMERICAN IDENTITY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/psi

aspeninstitute.org/citizenship

COLLEGE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/college-excellence

COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIETY PROGRAM

aspeninstitute.org/c&s

PROGRAM ON THE WORLD ECONOMY

aspeninstitute.org/pwe

ROUNDTABLE ON COMMUNITY CHANGE

aspeninstitute.org/rcc

SERVICE YEAR ALLIANCE

serviceyear.org

COMMUNITY STRATEGIES GROUP

aspeninstitute.org/csg

90

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

SPORTS AND SOCIETY

aspeninstitute.org/sports-society

FACTS/PROGRAMS

POLICY PROGRAM FELLOWSHIPS

Born from the policy programs at the
Aspen Institute, Policy Leadership

NEW VOICES FELLOWSHIP

Founded by the Institutes Global Health and Development
Program, the New Voices Fellowship cultivates compelling
experts to speak on development issues.

Programs seek to empower exceptional

aspennewvoices.org

individuals to lead with innovation in

THE ASCEND FELLOWSHIP

their chosen fields. These individuals

then become more effective

Founded by the Institutes Ascend Program, the Ascend

Fellowship targets diverse pioneers paving new pathways
that break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
ascend.aspeninstitute.org/fellows

change agents who caninfluence

FIRST MOVERS FELLOWSHIP

the institutions and fields in which

they work and lead to create better
outcomes for society.

Founded by the Institutes Business and Society Program,

the First Movers Fellowship seeks to help the business
community live up to its full potential as a vehicle for
positive social change.
aspeninstitute.org/firstmovers

When
Wh
en you want
wisdom and insight
as badly as you
want to breathe,
it is then
you shall have it.

ATTORNEYS AT LAW
(l-r) Ann Hutchison, Michele Bass,
Matt Ferguson, Kristi Ferraro,
Michelle Schindler
119 S. Spring St, Ste 201
Aspen, Colorado 81611
MATTHEWFERGUSONLAW.COM
970.925.6288

LITIGATION & TRANSACTIONS Civil | Business | Real Estate

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

91

FACTS/PROGRAMS

Dan Bayer

PUBLIC

Public conferences and events provide a

commons for people to share ideas.

ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL

This weeklong, large-scale public eventco-hosted by
The Atlanticbrings some of the worlds brightest minds
and leaders to Aspen every summer for enlightened
dialogue on the planets most pressing issues.

ASPEN SECURITY FORUM

On the Institutes campus in Aspen, the Aspen Security
Forum convenes leaders in government, industry, media,
think tanks, and academia to explore key national
homeland security and counterterrorism issues.

aspenideas.org

aspensecurityforum.org

WASHINGTON IDEAS FORUM

Presented in partnership with The Atlantic, this Washington,
DCbased event features leading figures in public policy
discussing the most important issues of the day.

ONGOING PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK

The Institute hosts a variety of programs in New York City,
from book talks and benefits to roundtable discussions,
forums, and the Aspen Leadership Series: Conversations
with Great Leaders in Memory of Preston Robert Tisch.
aspeninstitute.org/newyorkevents

ASPEN WORDS
Throughout the year, Aspen Words encourages writers in
their craft and readers in their appreciation of literature by
hosting festivals, readings, and other literary exchanges.
aspenwords.org

92

ASPEN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

The Institute offers residents of Aspen and the surrounding
Roaring Fork Valley communities a variety of programs
throughout the year, including speaker series, community
seminars, and film screenings.

THE ASPEN INSTITUTE ARTS PROGRAM

The Arts Program was established to support and invigorate
the arts in America and to return the arts to the Institutes
Great Conversation. It brings together artists, advocates,
educators, managers, foundations, and government officials
to exchange ideas and develop policies that strengthen
the reciprocal relationship between the arts and society.

aspeninstitute.org/community

aspeninstitute.org/arts

aspeninstitute.org/events

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

ONGOING PROGRAMS IN WASHINGTON, DC

From September through June, the Institutes DC
headquarters hosts the Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn Book
Series, featuring discussions with major recent authors.
Concurrently, the Washington Ideas Roundtable Series
focuses on world affairs, arts, and culture.

AUTHENTICITY

CREATIVITY

SUCCESS

R E C E N T LY S O L D
$12.8 M I L L I O N
Renowned designer Holly Hunt states, This house has some
of the most beautiful nishes, interiors and furnishings in Aspen.

U N D E R C O N T R AC T

OFFERED AT $13,649,000
This horse property is surrounded by 65 acres of foreverprotected Moore Open Space, but only 1.5 miles to the gondola

Susan Plummer

Broker Associate
970.920.7399 | 970.948.6786 cell
susan@masonmorse.com
Aspen | 970.925.7000
www.masonmorse.com

IDEAS

MIDSUMMER 2016

93

FACTS/PROGRAMS

CALENDAR
On November 3, the Institute hosts its 33rd Annual
Awards Dinner at New Yorks Plaza Hotel. The featured
speaker is Tom Brokaw, the award-winning journalist
who anchored NBC's Nightly News for more than 20
years, reporting on everything from the fall of the
Berlin Wall to the 9/11 attacks.
The Institute will honor Melinda
Gates, the co-chair of the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation,
with its Public Service Award
for her work championing
children, education, and medical
research. The Institute will also
honor Robert K. Steel, the CEO
Steel

of Perella Weinberg Partners and former Institute

board chairman, with the Henry Crown Leadership
Award for his guidance and insight. The evening
begins with cocktails at 7:00. Dinner starts at 7:45.
Trustee Mercedes T. Bass is chairing the gala event.
For more information, contact Natasha Little:
natasha.little@aspeninstitute.org.

Gates

Brokaw

Left to right: Clint Spaulding, Shutterstock, Shutterstock

SEE YOU AT THE PLAZA!

SERIOUS MEETINGS THE NATURAL WAY

With more than 1,000 acres on Maryland's Eastern Shore, privacy abounds on the grounds of
two estates with state-of-the-art conference facilities, 51 distinctive accommodations, farm-to-table
cuisine, striking water views and notable amenities.

FOR SERIOUS MEETINGS THE NATURAL WAY,

VISIT ASPENWYERIVER.COM OR CALL 410.820.0905

water rights
water planning
water for food & energy
transboundary & tribal water

Aspen based since 1985

www.waterlaw.com
IDEAS

(800) 282-5458
SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

CONNECT WITH US
ASPEN ACROSS AMERICA
Executive Vice President, Institutional
Advancement and Corporate Secretary
Eric L. Motley
202.736.2900
eric.motley@aspeninstitute.org
SOCRATES PROGRAM
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
Vice President, Director
Melissa Ingber
202.736.1077
melissa.ingber@aspeninstitute.org

THE SOCIETY OF FELLOWS

Director
Peter Waanders
970.544.7912
peter.waanders@aspeninstitute.org
aspeninstitute.org/sof

TO CONTACT INSTITUTE LEADERS

SEMINARS
Director
Todd Breyfogle
202.341.7803
todd.breyfogle@aspeninstitute.org
aspeninstitute.org/seminars

HENRY CROWN
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Managing Director,
Henry Crown Fellowship Program
Tonya Hinch
202.736.3523
tonya.hinch@aspeninstitute.org
aspeninstitute.org/crown

DONATIONS, SPECIAL EVENTS,

AND BENEFITS
Director of Development Events and
Donor Relations
Leah Bitounis 202.736.2289
leah.bitounis@aspeninstitute.org

aspeninstitute.org/community

PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Vice President
Aspen Ideas Festival,
Director
Kitty Boone
970.544.7926
kitty.boone@aspeninstitute.org
aspenideas.org

Vice President, Director

Jamie Miller
202.736.1075
jamie.miller@aspeninstitute.org

Willow Darsie 202.736.3545

willow.darsie@aspeninstitute.org

POLICY PROGRAMS
Director of Administration,
Policy and Public Programs
Donna Horney
202.736.5835
donna.h@aspeninstitute.org

aspeninstitute.org/leadership

aspeninstitute.org/policy-work

ASPEN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

NETWORK
Dep. Director, Operations & Partnerships

96

ASPEN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Director
Cristal Logan
970.544.7929
cristal.logan@aspeninstitute.org

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

HERITAGE SOCIETY
To learn more about planned giving
opportunities, please call
Kris Robinson
202.736.3852
aspeninstitute.org/heritagesociety

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Managing Director, Communications
and Public Affairs
Pherabe Kolb
202.736.2906
pherabe.kolb@aspeninstitute.org

OFFICES
HEADQUARTERS
Suite 700, One Dupont Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1133
202.736.5800
ASPEN CAMPUS
1000 North Third Street
Aspen, CO 81611
970.925.7010
WYE RIVER CAMPUS
2010 Carmichael Road, P.O. Box 222
Queenstown, MD 21658
410.827.7168
NEW YORK OFFICES
477 Madison Avenue, Suite 730
New York, NY 10022

Dan Bayer

aspeninstitute.org/socrates
aspeninstitute.org/international

A Resort
Within A Resort
An exceptional opportunity exists to acquire a new
custom-designed residence in the desirable Meadows
and West End neighborhood of Aspen. Situated on a
beautiful, sun-filled 16,000 sq ft lot adjacent to a biking
and walking path, this rare setting provides easy access to
the neighboring world renowned Aspen Meadows, offering
all of the resort services to this distinctive property.
Looking out from the residence is the historic Aspen
Meadow, forever dedicated as open space and right
outside the front door. Adjacent to the open meadow
is the Aspen Institute and Aspen Music Tent both within
easy access of this stunning contemporary home. With
extensive windows to capture enormous panoramic views
of Aspen Mountain, Red Mountain, Buttermilk Mountain
and beyond, the light-filled living areas and outdoor spaces
offer an individual perspective of the surrounding splendor.
Save a year or more in the design and permitting process
by moving immediately into construction!

$8,950,000
5 bedrooms | 5 full and 2 half baths | 5,150 sq ft

Tom Melberg
970.379.1297
Tom.Melberg @ sir.com
AspenSnowmassSIR.com

Craig Morris
970.379.9795
Craig.Morris @ sir.com
CraigMorris.com

IDEAS

MIDSUMMER 2016

97

THE INSTITUTE ONLINE

FOLLOW US

Join our friends at

Facebook.com/AspenInstitute.
To learn how to reach individual policy
programs on Facebook, go to
aspeninstitute.org/socialmedia.

Follow the Aspen Institute with

@aspeninstitute. To follow individual Institute
programs and directors go to
Twitter.com/aspeninstitute/lists/aspen-institute.

See the Institutes people, places, and things

on Instagram.com/aspeninstitute.

Access New Ideas All Year Long

You can find the talks, debates, and discussions from
Aspen Ideas Festival and other public events on our
new, mobile-friendly website year-round. Check out
original pieces and analysis from speakers like Allan
Murray, editor of Fortune; or Donna Shalala, former
secretary of the US Department of Health and Human
Services; and watch coverage of sessions like "What is
Gender, Anyway?" or "Decoding North Korea."
E-NEWSLETTER
Sign up for the Aspen Institute
biweekly e-newsletter at
aspeninstitute.org/newsletter.

MULTIMEDIA CHANNEL
Find videos of many of the
Institutes panels and discussions, many
of which are invitation-only at
aspeninstitute.org/video.

PUBLICATIONS
To find Institute publications, some
of which are available for purchase or
downloadable for free, go to
aspeninstitute.org/publications.

IDEAS: THE MAGAZINE OF THE

ASPEN INSTITUTE
To find and share this issue online,
go to aspeninstitute.org/magazine.
THE ASPEN IDEA BLOG
Aspen Institute directors, experts,
and guest bloggers offer insight
into the work of the organization at

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Watch videos of the Institutes events

and panel discussions at
YouTube.com/aspeninstitute.

See what the Institute is pinning at

Pinterest.com/aspeninstitute.

To find the Institutes photos, go to

Flickr.com/aspeninstitute.

aspeninstitute.org/blog.

THE ASPEN JOURNAL OF IDEAS

The Institutes digital collection of
thought-provoking analyses and
opinions on critical issues is at
aspeninstitute.org/journal.

98

Join our LinkedIn Group to read more

from the Institute at
Linkedin.com/company/the-aspen-institute.

Find some of the Institutes longer

publications, including the magazine, at
Scribd.com/aspeninstitute.

IDEAS

MIDSUMMER 2016

99

PARTING SHOT

Summer at the Aspen Institutelike a double rainbowcan

be fleeting. The 2016 summer season occupied a unique
moment in history, with America on the brink of a potentially
historic election and in the midst of civic upheaval across
many parts of the country. What better time to come together
in the sublime setting of Aspen and examine the roles we can
all play in creating Walter Paepckes good society? From
discussions of how individuals can lead toward justice with
Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson, to an open
dialogue with Sheri and Howard Schultz on how they create
compassion as part of their day-to-day lives, to the pledge to
create a truth and reconciliation action group at the Resnick
Aspen Action Forum, this summer was eye-opening. It left
those of us who work on Institute programs reinvigorated
and looking forward to next summer. So while we might not
have captured every moment from this seasoneven with
our trusty cell phonesa lot of us certainly tried.

Ideas: The Magazine of the Aspen Institute is published three times each year by the A spen Institute and distributed to Institute constituents, friends, and supporters.
To receive a copy, call (202) 736-5800. Postmaster: Please send address changes to The Aspen Institute Communications Department, Ste. 700, One Dupont Circle NW,
Washington, DC 20036.
The opinions and statements expressed by the authors and contributors to this publication do not necessarily reflect opinions or positions of the Aspen Institute,
which is a nonpartisan forum. All rights reserved. No material in this publication may be published or copied without the express written consent of the Aspen Institute.
The Aspen Institute All Rights Reserved

100

IDEAS

SPECIAL ISSUE 2016

Dan Bayer

Midsummer Dream

Cutting-Edge
Real Estate

Did you know that greater than 50% of home searches are
now done on a mobile device? Brittanie Rockhill has seen the
changes first hand in the industry and knows how to adapt
to ensure your most valuable asset wont be left behind.
A 10-year real estate vet, she has quickly risen through the
ranks as one of the top five highest performing brokers in
the valley. From implementing new marketing technology,
to finding unlisted properties that you never knew existed,
Brittanie will maximize your renting, buying or selling
experience. With an unrivaled work ethic, her greatest joy
comes from connecting people to this special place.

Superior Quality and

Value in Snowmass

$3,995,000

Brittanie Rockhill

Broker Associate

brittanie@compass.com

compass.com 970.925.6063

970.366.0891

compass

compassinc

CasasAspen

BrittanieRockhill.com

compass

E Aagents
S
SUMM
ER
2 0 1 6are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Compass. Equal Housing Opportunity. Compass is a licensed real estate broker located at 117 S. Monarch Street, Main Level Aspen,
100 RealI Destate
affiliated
with
Compass
CO 81611. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented
subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice.

GORSUCH
getaway
2016

VA I L

B E AV E R C R E E K
PA R K C I T Y
SNOWMASS
ASPEN

100

IDEAS

SUMMER 2016