Aspen Digital

Clare Bresnahan English

Senior Director, Women in the Workplace Innovation Challenge

Aspen Digital

Clare Bresnahan English's headshot.

Clare Bresnahan English is the Senior Director, Women in the Workplace Innovation Challenge. In this role, she advances innovative, high impact, actionable solutions that lower barriers for women in the workplace, and help women thrive to the benefit of themselves, their families, the economy, and the community at large.

Clare has uplifted women’s leadership across government, media, civil society, and the private sector for over 15 years. Before joining The Aspen Institute, she served as CEO for New Leaders Council, a national nonprofit connecting and training local leaders representing a diversity of identities, industries, and issue areas. As the former Executive Director She Should Run, Clare helped spark a national movement that supports thousands of women and girls in owning their leadership path and to run for office. 

As an advocate at Girl Scouts of the USA, she managed public affairs strategies promoting healthy media images of women and girls. Clare has consulted global brands on strengthening women’s representation – from Hollywood studios to the tech, pharmaceutical, and consumer product industries. She has also advised philanthropic and corporate community engagement efforts expanding girls’ and women’s aspirations and opportunities.

A 40 Under 40 Honoree with the Center for Leadership Excellence, Clare’s impact has been recognized as a Fellow with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, New Profit Civic Lab, and Aspen Ideas Festival. She serves on the Board of the Washington English Center, which provides English literacy and workforce development trainings for adult immigrants and refugees. She graduated magna cum laude with a Masters in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University and earned a B.A. in Communications, Law, Economics, and Government from American University. 

Clare has set down roots in Northern VA with her husband and two sons, and is a proud Midwesterner from Cincinnati, OH. In between visiting local parks or building endless magnetic tile towers, she enjoys reading cozy mystery novels, listening to podcasts, and trying out a new restaurant with old friends.