Community & Tech Leaders Initiative

The Challenge

The explosion of digital innovation in recent years, including rapid advances in AI, promises to fundamentally reimagine our shared future. While emerging tech holds great promise, community leaders who know firsthand what challenges their constituents face on the ground are often overlooked and ill-equipped to engage due to lack of resources and perceived lack of expertise.

Our Solution

Aspen Digital’s new Community & Tech Leaders Initiative seeks to level the playing field for those who work on behalf of communities and want to advance their tech knowledge and network. 

The initiative will provide our inaugural cohort of 10 rising community leaders with hands-on learning opportunities on the most pressing emerging tech issues of the day. Participants will benefit from unique access to tech leaders and key decision makers, strategically bringing their perspectives and experiences to the table to reimagine an innovation ecosystem that is built by and serves all.

How to Get Involved With the Community & Tech Leaders Initiative

Nominations for the 2025 Leaders cohort are now closed. Stay up to date on our work and announcements for 2026 nominations via our email signup or our Aspen Digital social media channels.

Program Outline

Participants in the Community & Tech Leaders Initiative: 

  • Attend an in-person 2-day emerging tech boot camp in September at the Aspen Institute offices in Washington D.C
  • Participate in exclusive monthly virtual deep dives on related topics with top experts in the emerging technology field and examine the direct impact these issues have on Leaders’ respective communities
  • Be matched with technology thought leaders and experts for 1:1 networking opportunities 
  • Share experiences and build relationships with fellow leaders working with other communities
  • Publish op-eds, blogs, and/or podcasts on learnings from the program and their relationship to the Leaders’ own work
  • Develop real-world solutions at the intersection of emerging tech and their communities and have the opportunity to present to a wide group of philanthropists, tech leaders, policymakers, and more
  • Have the opportunity to attend Aspen’s premiere high-level convenings around AI, cybersecurity, new media, mis/disinformation, product equity, and a range of other key issues
  • Receive a monetary award for the successful completion of the program