The Friends of Aspen group, established in 1994, brings together presidents, managing directors and directors general from the world of small and medium sized enterprise, business associations, and regional and local governments. Beatrice Trussardi has been President of the Friends of Aspen since 2009.
Inspiration for the group came from Aspen America’s Society of Fellows, established in 1964, which initially devoted its energies to identifying the proper balance between a vision centered on the human being and the challenges presented by scientific progress, before going on to bolster its commitment to understanding innovation and training leaders to respond wisely to that innovation.
The Italian group bases its action on those guidelines, endeavoring to foster opportunities to meet, discuss and analyze topical and wider-reaching issues that impact Italian businesses. Conferences and roundtables have focused on such subjects as the digital and green transition, talent management and skills training, strategies for inclusiveness, and the social responsibility and impact of businesses.
The Friends of Aspen enjoy access to a specific program of dedicated initiatives often suggested by the group’s members. To that end, an Advisory Board was set up in April 2014. Comprising four Friends, the Board is renewed on a rotating basis every two years. Its mission is to facilitate the free exchange of ideas, to stimulate debate and to address topical issues in order to prepare the group to meet any challenges the future might hold, thanks to input from all the members. In addition to activities devised specifically for them, the Friends of Aspen are also entitled to attend some of the Institute’s national and international events.
