Introducing the first special episode of Design of Business | Business of Design reported live from the Aspen Business & Society Summit.
As kids go back to school and the rest of us get back to work after the relaxation of summer, the reality of the real world hits hard. The business environment remains turbulent as everything from roles to whole departments are rebranded or eliminated in an effort to comply with emerging cultural expectations.
With turbulence reshaping the business landscape, how should leaders navigate the uncertainty ahead?
This summer, close to 200 senior business leaders gathered at the Institute’s Aspen campus for the Aspen Business & Society Summit to share their best practices, lessons learned, and novel insights on how they’re adapting to this moment. Design Observer’s Ellen McGirt joined us to record two special episodes of Design of Business | Business of Design to explore the perspectives of leaders guiding companies through an environment of increased scrutiny and turbulence.
The first in a two-part special series, this episode considers several key questions: How do we lead in an age of polarization? How do we sustain momentum on climate, equity, and inclusion under political pressure? And how do we ensure that global systems—from artificial intelligence to food to the economy—foster human well-being?
Host Ellen McGirt explores these questions with a range of diverse voices, including:
Tim Mohin of BCG describes the challenges for companies as sustainability commitments face backlash. Vit Henisz of Wharton adds that ESG has been politicized, but the underlying issues remain vital to long-term business strategy.
Jenny Yang and Rachel Godsil emphasize that while rhetoric has chilled inclusion efforts, legal obligations remain unchanged. Retreating, they argue, carries not only legal but reputational risk for companies.
Cécile Beliot, CEO of Bel Group, stresses that food is more than a commodity—it is a human right. She points to waste reduction, plant-based innovation, and healthier diets as levers for sustainability and equity.
Justina Nixon-Saintil of IBM underscores the need for equitable access to AI skills as automation reshapes work.
Sanda Ojiambo of the UN Global Compact warns that a widening digital divide threatens both equity and global trust.
This first Aspen episode is candid about disruption but also hopeful: leaders across sectors are standing firm and reimagining their role in society. It is a call for courage, creativity, and resilience.
Listen to Episode 1 of the Aspen Series on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
And, stay tuned next week for Part 2, which explores what we do next.