Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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  • In Person

Leadership in Action: How Republican Governors Are Shaping Policy and Navigating Emerging Challenges

Note: This is a past event, additional resources may be available below.

Tue Jul 22, 2025
Aspen, CO

Date

Tue Jul 22, 2025
10:30am – 11:30am MDT

Location

Paepcke Auditorium
1000 North Third Street

Contact

    acp@aspeninstitute.org
    970.544.7970

Hosts

  1. Aspen Community Programs

Presented as part of the McCloskey Speaker Series.

Featuring Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen in conversation with Karen Tumulty, chief political correspondent for The Washington Post. Governor Pillen will share his perspectives on economic growth, public safety, education, and infrastructure, as well as how he navigates partisan divides and approaches emerging challenges. In addition, he will discuss the decisions shaping his state and the considerations behind key policy choices. Paepcke Auditorium, doors at 4:00 pm

Aspen Society members-only reception with speakers from 3:30-4:15 pm. Please contact aspensociety@aspeninstitute.org to inquire about membership.

While attendance at the event is free and open to everyone, registration is required, and capacity is established on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

To view a livestream video of the event online, please click here.

Parking
Parking is very limited. Please carpool, walk, bike, or ride RFTA.

 

 

Jim Pillen is a veterinarian, livestock producer, farmer, entrepreneur, regent, and Governor of Nebraska. Born and raised in Platte County, he is a lifelong Nebraskan. Governor Pillen and his father, Dale, partnered together, raising 60 sows and 1,200 market hogs on a dirt lot on their home farm. In 1993, he started Pillen Family Farms and added DNA Genetics in 2003. In 2012, his children, Sarah and Brock, joined the family business.

A former Husker defensive back, Governor Pillen holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University. He and his wife of more than 40 years, Suzanne, have four children, Sarah, Brock, Polly and Izic, and seven grandchildren, William, Halle, Eloise, Henry, Harrison, Ava, and Thomas. The Pillens home is in Columbus, Nebraska.

 


Karen Tumulty is an associate editor and columnist for The Post. In her previous role as a national political correspondent for the newspaper, she received the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting. She joined The Post in 2010 from Time magazine, where she had held the same title. During her more than 15 years at Time, Tumulty wrote or co-wrote more than three dozen cover stories. She also held positions with Time as congressional correspondent and White House correspondent.

 

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