2025 Business & Society Summit Agenda
July 8-10, 2025 | Aspen Meadows Resort, Aspen, CO
The Value Creation Mandate: As political shifts reshape the business landscape, companies and investors must rethink how they balance risk and innovation to drive lasting value. How do they identify material risks and uncover opportunities for long-term growth while navigating the evolving economic, political, and regulatory forces shaping sustainability and the workplace?
Leading Through Disruption: Geopolitical instability, regulatory shifts, and the rapid rise of AI are reshaping industries, forcing leaders to navigate uncertainty while maintaining continuity and trust with stakeholders. What does it take to maintain a long-term vision when short-term pressures demand quick decisions?
Humanizing the Corporation: Public trust in business is eroding as economic inequality rises and skepticism toward capitalism grows. Trade-offs persist over short-term gains versus the long-term well-being of employees, consumers, and society. Ensuring that prosperity is shared equitably is no longer just a moral question—it’s a strategic imperative that will define the future role of business in society.
Agenda
ARRIVAL DAY
Monday, July 7
| 3:00pm | Suggested Arrival |
| 5:30pm | Welcome Reception @ Albright Pavilion Join us for conversation and cocktails at Aspen Meadows Resort as we kick off the event. |
EVENT KICKOFF
Day 1: Tuesday, July 8
| 7:00am | Networking Breakfast |
| 7:30am – 12:30pm | Summit Prelude: Aspen-Inspired Sessions (Optional) 7:30AM or 8:30AM | The Iconic Maroon Bells & Maroon Lake View the stunning Maroon Bells mountain peaks and Maroon Lake, “the state’s most photographed wilderness scene”. The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies will lead a short hike and discuss the ecosystem, native plants and animals, then provide ample time for you to soak up this iconic scenery. 10:30AM | Text-Based Dialogue: Leading with Values in the Face of Change Leading change, especially in today’s polarized environment, requires the ability to understand and forge alignment among people with diverse values systems. Join the Aspen Seminar tradition to reflect on how conflicting beliefs might impact your work, and how your own values and leadership philosophy can help you achieve your goals. Led by David Langstaff, Special Advisor to the President & CEO, Aspen Institute 10:30AM | Workshop: Driving Systems Change for Lasting Business Impact Working at the level of the system to tackle tough social and environmental challenges calls for specialized expertise. In this interactive session, participants will explore [and practice] the skills and mindsets required to align stakeholders around a shared vision, build durable collaborations, achieve breakthrough results, and scale impact. The aim of the session is to arm leaders with actionable strategies and real-world insights so they will leave better prepared to shape lasting, systemic change. Led by Aileen Strickland McGee, Director of Impact at Steelcase and Alicia Bonner, Director, Business & Society Summit |
| 12:00pm – 1:30pm | Luncheon |
| 1:00pm | Registration & Networking |
| 2:00pm | Main Stage Plenary The Prepared Leader’s Perspective CEOs face uncertainty in global markets and changing expectations from employees, investors, boardrooms and customers. Executives work to balance private gain and public welfare, ensuring profits are earned without sacrificing the well-being of the environment, labor, or the communities where their company operates. How will responsible business be defined in this moment? Keynote speakers: • Dave Regnery, CEO and Chairman, Trane Technologies • Judy Samuelson, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Business & Society Program (moderator) Courage in Context: Lessons from a Cellist and a Big Mountain Skier How can today’s change-makers sustain momentum, while attuning to the moment? Courage in Context—hosted by BCG BrightHouse—brings a big mountain skier and a musician together to explore big ideas from new angles—ideas around how to use your voice in this moment, the power and pliability of language, and what it takes to lead with courage. Keynote speakers: • Angel Collinson, Big Mountain Skier • Okorie Johnson, Contemporary Cellist & Composer • Maggie Schear, Managing Director, BCG BrightHouse (moderator) |
| 3:45pm | Afternoon Break |
| 4:15pm | Dialogue Stream A: Energy Demand and the Future of Oil & Gas The energy landscape is shifting and the sector is called to redefine what constitutes good practice in the face of rising demand. How are industry leaders adapting to the new landscape and addressing climate risks in this rapidly changing environment? Discussants: • TJ Conway, Principal, Climate Intelligence, RMI • Julie Dalzell, Vice President, Sustainable Development, ConocoPhilips • Ben Ratner, Executive Director, Center for Carbon Transition, J.P. Morgan • David Monsma, Director, Energy Programs, Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation (moderator) Dialogue Stream B: Building Trust in the Age of Grievance Trust in both public and private institutions is declining, driven by economic anxiety, misinformation, and a growing divide between executives and workers, leaders and the public. What choices exist for business leaders when it comes to rebuilding trust? Discussants: • Jennifer Silberman, SVP, Chief Sustainability Officer, Dollar Tree • John Driscoll, Former President, U.S. Healthcare at Walgreens & Chairman, UConn Health • Aaron Guiterman, U.S. Head of Public Affairs, Edelman • Ellen McGirt, Editor in Chief, Design Observer (moderator) Dialogue Stream C: Navigating New Frontiers in Finance & Innovation Disruptive technologies from AI to crypto are seizing the attention and imagination of both money managers and consumers. How can leaders balance the speed of innovation with responsibility, ensuring ethical considerations and long-term stability for those affected? Discussants: • Marian Macindoe, Managing Director, Sustainable Investment Strategy, Parnassus Investments • Joel Podolny, CEO, Honor Education • Arjun Gupta, Founder & Managing Partner, TeleSoft Partners; Trustee, Aspen Institute • Linda Hill, Professor of Business Administration & Chair, Leadership Initiative, Harvard Business School (moderator) Dialogue Stream D: Business Norms v. the Law The legal frameworks business leaders have long taken for granted are no longer reliable. From sustainability to workforce policies, how are the foundations of our legal system shifting, and where should norms, protocols, and ethical boundaries adapt in response? Discussants: • Robert McKeehan, Vice President, Law and Assistant Corporate Secretary, Johnson & Johnson • Susan Mac Cormac, Partner, Social Enterprise and Impact Investing & Energy, Morrison & Foerster LLP • Carmen Lu, Counsel, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP • Alphonso David, President & CEO, Global Black Economic Forum • Neal Kemkar, Former Senior Vice President of Policy at Galvanize Climate Solutions & Senior Fellow, Aspen Institute (moderator) |
| 5:30pm | Cocktail Reception at Marble Garden |
| 7:00pm | Dinner On Your Own |
| 8:30pm | S’more Conversation |
MAIN EVENT
Day 2: Wednesday, July 9
| 7:00am | Sunrise Nature Walk |
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Breakfast Discussions with Special Guests Join us for a series of informal conversations with leading thinkers and practitioners. Spotlight on Leadership: Global Insights for an Evolving World Join Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, for an interactive dialogue led by Rich Hutchinson, Global Leader of BCG’s Social Impact Practice, as she shares insights from her personal leadership journey. This conversation will examine how to cultivate principled leadership in complex times and navigate the pressures of evolving global demands. Spotlight on Leadership: Sustainability as Strategy for Enduring Value Join Cécile Beliot, CEO of Bel Brands, in an interactive conversation led by Steve Goldbach, US Sustainability Practice Leader at Deloitte, as she shares personal insights and leadership lessons on building with purpose and using sustainability as a catalyst for long-term value creation. Spotlight on Private Capital: How Sustainability Pays in M&A Join corporate leaders Dave Clark at Amcor, Jim Andrew at PepsiCo and Scott Tew at Trane Technologies, as we explore how large corporations evaluate and value sustainability in their M&A process. Which sustainability investments actually increase the value of future acquisitions, or drive value in private companies at exit? Facilitated by Heidi DuBois, Global Head of ESG and Strategic Initiatives, AEA Investors |
| 9:15am | Dialogue Stream A: The Exorbitant Cost of Catastrophe The costs from climate-related disasters are straining individuals, businesses of all sizes and their communities in sudden and direct ways. Challenges are showing up in insurance markets, on our utility bills and at the grocery store. Who will bear the financial risk of even more costly disasters, and how will industries evolve to value and help build resilience? Discussants: • Elliot Stultz, SVP, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer, Allstate • Heather Quinley, Managing Director, Sustainability, Duke Energy • Christina Gray, General Counsel, Axis Capital • Witold (“Vit”) Henisz, Vice Dean and Faculty Director of the ESG Initiative, The Wharton School (moderator) Dialogue Stream B: The New Toolkit for Belonging in the Workplace The socio-political climate has made it more challenging than ever for employers committed to fostering fair workplaces. How can leaders effectively – and legally – attract, retain, and empower employees from all backgrounds amid both government scrutiny of workplace anti-discrimination programs and worker pessimism about the future? How can leaders make sense of this moment and effectively navigate the way forward? Discussants: • Jenny R. Yang, Former EEOC Commissioner & Partner, Outten & Golden • Rachel Godsil, Co-Founder, Perception Institute • Sam Lalanne, Chief Diversity Officer, Morgan Stanley • Mahlet Getachew, Managing Director, PolicyLink (moderator) Dialogue Stream C: AI’s Transformative Impact on Business and People The profound impact of AI on business elevates questions about strategy and protections for employees alongside environmental concerns. Can companies build AI-enabled enterprises that are both pro-innovation and pro-worker? What frameworks can ensure technologies support people, minimize harm, and drive sustainable progress? Discussants: • Stephanie Bell, Chief Programs and Insights Officer, Partnership on AI • JoAnn Stonier, Fellow of Data & AI, Mastercard • Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Chief Impact Officer, IBM • Kevin Delaney, CEO & Editor in Chief, Charter (moderator) Dialogue Stream D: Long-Term Investing in Volatile Times Predictability helps to facilitate long-term investment. But widespread volatility is rendering long-held market assumptions obsolete and changing the risk and return calculus for long-term investments. How are asset owners and managers of long-term capital adapting to the tectonic shifts in the global economic order, and the increasing pressures of climate and other material risks? Discussants: • Katherine Collins, Head of Sustainable Investing, Putnam Investments • Dan Jacobs, Principal, CD&R • Erin Harkless Moore, Managing Director, Pivotal Ventures • Sarah Bratton Hughes, SVP, Head of Sustainable Investing, American Century Investments (moderator) |
| 10:30am | Morning Break |
| 11:00am – 12:15pm | Thematic Roundtables Roundtables offer participants the chance to actively exchange on an issue of shared interest. Registration will take place onsite and sessions are capped at 15 participants, who should arrive ready to engage in conversation. |
| 12:30pm | Networking Luncheon |
| 2:00pm | Working Group Sessions Working Groups offer participants the chance to roll up their sleeves and work together to chart a path forward on a pressing challenge. A. Co-Creating Solutions to Shared Sustainability Challenges To tackle systemic issues and align capital behind major efforts, it’s increasingly clear companies can’t do it alone. In this working session, we’ll explore how we might work together to tackle the most pressing – and promising – sustainability issues at the intersection of business & society, exploring how we can energize and sustain new kinds of collaborations. Led by Michael Kobori, Former Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks & Board Director, Bunge B. Building Courage in the Boardroom Executives are working to stay ahead of a volatile national and global environment. What needs to change in boardrooms to support the executive now? What questions will Directors pursue to help assure that the enterprise is prepared and resourced for the future? Both clarity of intentions and courage are needed. How will the change take place? Led by Judy Samuelson, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Business & Society Program C. Democracy, Corporate Voice, and the Common Good Business leaders are among the most influential and trusted voices in our society. Yet fear of political backlash is leading many companies to stay silent when democracy—or even their own commercial interest—is under threat. Join this participant-led dialogue to explore what’s gained and what’s lost when business opts out of the public square—and what’s at stake if the silence continues. Led by Neal Kemkar, Former Senior Vice President of Policy at Galvanize Climate Solutions & Senior Fellow, Aspen Institute D. Economic Mobility: Building a Taskforce for Business Action Amid rising polarization and stagnant economic mobility, this session explores how the corporate sector can drive meaningful progress on expanding economic opportunity in the U.S. Participants will help shape a new Business & Society Program, building on insights from the Economic Mobility Fellowship and the 2024 Summit. Come ready to share your perspective and help shape an ambitious agenda for inclusive economic growth. Led by Jaime Bettcher, Assistant Director, Aspen Institute Business & Society Program. |
| 3:30pm | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00pm | Main Stage Discussion The New Politics of Business What role should companies play in labor rights, economic opportunity, and shaping policy in an increasingly complex political landscape? We’ll tap the unique perspective of political leaders on how business leaders can best navigate the geopolitical landscape while staying true to their values. Keynote speakers: • Hon. David Young, State Treasurer of Colorado • Hon. Michael Frerichs, State Treasurer of Illinois • Ruth Umoh, Leadership Editor, Fortune (moderator) |
| 5:15pm | Depart for Evening Excursion |
| 5:45pm | Cocktail Reception at Pine Creek Cookhouse |
| 6:30pm | Community Connection Dinner at Pine Creek Cookhouse |
| 8:30pm | Evening Concludes & Return Shuttles Depart |
MAIN EVENT
Day 3: Thursday, July 10