The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program

What if the economy worked for women?🙋♀️ In a new don’t-miss talk, Senior Aspen FSP Fellow Heather McCulloch discusses why the economic prosperity of women needs to be a national priority. In the current system where few economic policies are designed with women in mind, what is the path forward? Find out in this ShePlace & SheMoney Summit 2024 video: https://lnkd.in/eqfvTeet

In this op-ed with ImpactAlpha, Joanna Smith-Ramani, co-executive director of Aspen FSP, and Greg Gershuny, executive director of The Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program (EEP), argue that the IRA’s “Direct Pay” option has an opportunity to create wealth in underserved communities. By leveraging the IRA’s direct pay option, we can build community wealth, mitigate climate impacts, and create a more equitable and resilient future for all.

🚀 New Case Study Alert 🚀 We’re excited to share our latest case study, supported by Wells Fargo, on how expanding Native American representation in the legal field can provide valuable lessons to diversifying the financial sector. Over the past fifty years, focused efforts have significantly increased the number of Native American attorneys, empowering tribes to advocate for their rights more effectively. By drawing from these success stories, we can foster greater diversity in finance and banking. From early engagement and mentorship programs to leadership training and professional networks, this approach can pave the way for a more inclusive financial sector that better serves diverse communities. Join us in exploring how we can build a financial system that promotes economic sovereignty and opportunity for all. Read now: https://lnkd.in/ez-euRSk #NativeAmericanRepresentation #InclusiveFinance Joanna Smith-Ramani, Sheida Elmi

🚨 Announcing the National Task Force for Fraud & Scam Prevention 🚨 Today, we at The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program are launching a trailblazing initiative to combat financial fraud and scams and help rebuild trust in our financial system. This multi-sector partnership will unite leaders from government, law enforcement, private industry, and civil society to develop a comprehensive, nationwide strategy aimed at preventing fraud and scams. 🎯 The Task Force’s mission: * Consumer Education – launch a public education campaign to help consumers spot and report scams. * Prevention and Detection – enhance intelligence on the latest scams and tactics, and share best practices across sectors for mitigating harm to consumers. * Recovery and Prosecution – collaborate with consumer protections and law enforcement to expose criminals, helping to rebuild personal finances and public trust. Together, this work can help keep money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, strengthen households’ financial security, and help address society’s growing trust deficit. 👉 For more information about the National Task Force for Fraud & Scam Prevention, please visit https://lnkd.in/eX5Erkvi. The Aspen Institute, Ida Rademacher, Kate Griffin

We are thrilled to count 👊🏾 Lyneir Richardson, executive director of Rutgers Business School The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, as a Wealth Innovation Fellow within our Future of Wealth Program. Richardson, along with the other fellows in this cohort, has demonstrated exceptional success in expanding access to real estate ownership in his community. He is committed to radically increasing the ownership opportunities for low-wealth individuals and communities of color across the country. We look forward to collaborating with Lyneir and the other fellows to develop models that democratize ownership of commercial and mixed-use real estate, fostering a more inclusive economy with reduced wealth inequity and shared prosperity.

✨Exciting News✨ Aspen FSP’s Policy Director Tim Shaw is joining the National Academy of Social Insurance’s new Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technology, and Disability Benefits. The Task Force will begin its work by developing principles and guardrails for the use of AI and emerging tech in the context of disability benefits. We’re excited to see how the task force’s AI work will offer opportunities to streamline access to benefits and reduce processing times to bring down SSA’s disability backlog. 💡If you want to learn more about the task force, read here: https://lnkd.in/eEp9aJRM

Happening right now: A Conversation on Digital Identity in Financial Services! Ida Rademacher kicked us off with this future-forward frame: "I used to say, 'This is not your grandmother's inclusive financial system.' But now I'm saying, 'Think about your grandchild's inclusive financial system.' And digital identity is a big piece of that." We'll be sure to share more insights, photos, and the recording from today's conversation in the weeks ahead.

We’re proud to share that our co-executive director Joanna Smith-Ramani participated in the second U.S. Bank Wealth Equity Roundtable in June, hosted by U.S. Bancorp President Gunjan Kedia and U.S. Bank Chief Diversity Officer Greg Cunningham, MBA, at HalfSmoke in Washington, D.C. This event brought together leaders from diverse industries to tackle the challenges and opportunities related to the wealth equity gap. Greg highlighted the importance of these discussions, stating, “These discussions are so important because we bring together national leaders from around the country who are doing the work to close the wealth disparities in this country, which affect every single part of our society.” We are honored to contribute to these vital conversations and look forward to continuing our work towards closing the wealth disparities that impact us all. Watch the video: https://lnkd.in/eRVqK_FT #WealthEquity #InclusiveEconomy #Leadership

Happening Next Week | Join the Aspen Financial Security Program on July 9, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET for an insightful event focused on building a secure and equitable financial future through #DigitalIdentity. 🎙️ Featured Speakers: - Rep. Bill Foster, U.S. House Committee on Financial Services - Jo Ann Barefoot, Co-Founder & CEO, AIR - Alliance for Innovative Regulation - David Ehrich, Co-Founder, Petal and AIR - Alliance for Innovative Regulation - Ryan Galluzzo, Identity Program Lead, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - Jeremy Grant, Managing Director, Venable LLP; Coordinator, Better Identity Coalition - Ariel Kennan, Senior Director, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation - Anu Madgavkar, Partner, McKinsey Global Institute - Chukwudi (Chuk) Onike, Program Officer, Visa Foundation - Brian Russell, CEO, DaVinci Partners Consulting - Ida Rademacher, Co-Executive Director, Aspen Institute Financial Security Program - Jennifer Taylor, President, Plaid - Will Wilkinson, Head of Policy, TBD/Block Learn how technology can help create a financial system that works better for everyone. ➡️Register today: https://lnkd.in/ePX7RPSK #FinancialSecurity #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

🤝 Join our team! We at the The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program are seeking a Senior Marketing and Communications Associate. If you’re experienced in communications, marketing, journalism, or editorial roles, we want to hear from you! Work with a passionate team, drive meaningful change, and contribute to our mission of financial security for all. - Salary range: $70,200-80,000 - Hybrid: based in Washington DC with expectation of 2x/week in office - Please include writing samples/links in your application 👉 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/ey_dfxnf #MarketingJobs #CommunicationsCareer #JobOpportunity #Hiring