Purpose-Driven Leaders Come Together from Across Sectors to Make Sustained Commitments to Inclusive Growth at Inaugural Summit

Agenda Released for the Global Inclusive Growth Summit in Washington, DC on October 21

Co-hosted by the Aspen Institute and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the new convening will examine opportunities to advance equitable and sustainable economic growth. At a time of rapid technological change, there is a pressing need to address how the digital economy can be put to work for everyone, everywhere.

During the day-long event, Summit attendees will present new partnerships, grant announcements, and ongoing commitments to establish inclusivity and equity as fundamental guiding principles for economic growth. The agenda will focus on mobilizing cross-sector innovations and resources to deepen shared prosperity. Participants will also explore the consequences of the digital revolution, discussing how we can realize the potential of technology to expand access and opportunity for all.

“Fostering inclusivity and shared prosperity is of great–and growing–importance to our society. We are at a pivotal moment in how we approach this issue,” said Dan Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute. “We’re pleased that the Global Inclusive Growth Summit, delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, will help drive urgently needed action to expand opportunity.”

“The digital economy has had an exponentially positive impact on improving quality of life and lifting people into the middle class but issues of inequality still remain and are at risk of growing unless we mobilize the ingenuity and resources of the private sector,” said Michael Froman, Chairman, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “This isn’t a developed or developing world problem and it isn’t something we can tackle alone. This new Summit is about action and impact, forging new partnerships and commitments that can deliver lasting change for communities around the world, at scale.”

Speakers announced to date include Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Mastercard President and CEO Ajay Banga; Business Roundtable CEO Josh Bolten; Women in the World Founder Tina Brown; HOPE Enterprise Corporation CEO Bill Bynum; Case Foundation CEO Jean Case; Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO); Former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Vice Chair of Bank of America Anne Finucane; Mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt; Grameen America CEO and President Andrea Jung; Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu; Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield; Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah; Mann Deshi Bank & Foundation Founder Chetna Sinha; Chair of The Prudential Foundation Lata N. Reddy; Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy; Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC).

The programming agenda will examine inclusive growth from multiple angles, discussing topics such as democratizing finance, the role of boards in making ‘commercially sustainable social impact’ business as usual, and how U.S and global communities can be transformed through economic innovation and entrepreneurship. Running themes throughout will include the requirement for investment in present and future workers, and the need to advance the data science capacity of the civic and social sectors to advance inclusive economic development.

Editor’s Note:  Press are invited to register here. Attending press will have the opportunity to interview organizers and speakers (depending on availability), and media assets will be available and the conversation can be followed on social channel via #GlobalIGS. Contact Jon.Purves@aspeninstitute.org and Casey.Stavropoulos@mastercard.com for more information.

About the Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a nonprofit organization with global reach whose vision is the creation of a free, just, and equitable society. For 70 years, the Institute has driven change by inspiring dialogue, leadership, and action to address society’s greatest challenges. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute has offices in Aspen, Colorado and New York City, as well as an international network of partners. Learn more at aspeninstitute.org.

About the Center for Inclusive Growth

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth focuses on promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. As the thought leadership and philanthropic hub of Mastercard, the Center leverages the company’s data, expertise and technology, along with administering the Mastercard Impact Fund, to empower a community of thinkers, leaders and innovators on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on Twitter @CNTR4growth, or subscribe to the Center's newsletter.

Contacts: 

The Aspen Institute
Jon Purves | Jon.Purves@aspeninstitute.org

Mastercard
Casey Stavropoulos | Casey.Stavropoulos@mastercard.com