Job Quality Fellows, Class of 2017-18

The Job Quality Fellowship brings together innovators who are engaged in work that expands the availability of better quality jobs in our economy.

The Job Quality Fellowship brings together leaders from differing lines of work, in communities across the country, who are working to expand the availability of better quality jobs.

While the economy has expanded, too few workers share in the benefits. Low-wage work is far too pervasive, and the time is now to address this challenge directly. We can no longer afford to have hard working people excluded from the abundance of our economy and marginalized by our society. We need to focus in this moment on the opportunities we have to improve the quality of jobs, and the lives and livelihoods of millions of individuals and families.

Our new class of Job Quality Fellows will work together over the coming year to strengthen and expand the availability of high-quality jobs in our economy. This cohort of Fellows includes leaders with varied perspectives and backgrounds from across the country who will focus on the intersection between workforce development, worker organizing, and advocacy to advance workers’ interests and boost job quality.

The Economic Opportunities Program convened the inaugural class of Job Quality Fellows in 2017, and inducted its second class of Fellows in 2018. Current support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Prudential Financial, and Surdna Foundation. Founding support from the Prudential Financial and the Ford Foundation.

Meet the 2017-18 Job Quality Fellows


Amanda Cage

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Anjali Sakaria

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Betsy Biemann

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Christine Curella

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

J.D. LaRock

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Jenny Riggenbach

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Jess Kutch

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Jose Corona

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Laphonza Butler

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Lara Shock

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Liddy Romero

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Mary Jo Cook

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Palak Shah

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Sean Daniel Murphy

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Walt Tobin

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

Emylene Aspilla

Job Quality Fellow, Class of 2017-18

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

Join Our Mailing List

To receive occasional emails about our work — including new publications, commentary, events, fellowships, and more — join our mailing list.

Connect on Social Media

For news and updates every day, connect with us on the social media platform of your choice.