While it makes me feel a little old to say “throughout my career,” as it turns out, I am a little old. And with Aspen FSP’s 10th anniversary this year (also marking ten years for me at the Aspen Institute), I should probably do some reflecting.
So, as they say, throughout my career, I have been motivated by a core belief: People are fundamentally good, people want to do good, and people will do extraordinary good if given the chance. Mostly, I have yet to be proven wrong. Across generations and geography, sectors and perspectives, I have had the opportunity and joy of working with people who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Our team often hears me describe our work as gathering a “funky Thanksgiving table” of leaders. In our convenings, working groups, and research, we aim to pull together a cross-section of experts who can contribute to tangible change on issues of financial security. Crafting our motley Thanksgiving crew often starts with identifying the wisdom we need present—have we invited this insightful philanthropist, that innovative fintech founder, the practitioner or community leader who is most intimate with the challenge? But I think what makes our table special is that we look beyond the typecast to find people who are curious, humble, and eager to learn. Most importantly, we look for leaders who are ready to take on the ambitious challenge of making financial security a top national priority.
It’s a bold charge, but in my experience, people are hungry for the opportunity and waiting to be asked. Aspen FSP’s responsibility, then, what I take seriously as my responsibility, is to equip leaders like you with the knowledge and networks that will lead to substantive change.
The reality, though, is that this takes courage, time, and commitment. We all know that building financial security and wealth is generational work. My wise friend and our Community Advisory Group member Callie Greer once put it this way: “All the work I’m doing is going to benefit others. I want my children and grandchildren to see me doing this work and know that I’m working for a better tomorrow for them.”
Like Callie and so many of the leaders I have met on this journey, I do this work for my kids and for every kid in this country. Growing up, my family did not always have enough money, and we sometimes relied on extended family to support us. Now, as a parent myself, I have tried to ensure my kids never have to worry about money. And I believe that all children should have the financial security that my children have—because while I love my kids, they don’t deserve more than other people’s kids.
At our core, Aspen FSP is centered on household finances because for us financial security is the foundational means to greater ends. In our convenings and research, we ask what mechanisms and solutions can help people build wealth and financial well-being, but the question we’re really solving for is, what resources do people need to pursue their dreams, contribute to their community, and live their fullest lives?
My answer: we need a kind of intensive serum of solutions—like a super vitamin—from private sector innovation to policy change, that help people move from just getting by to building wealth. Here are just a few of the solutions that we think can make up such a serum:
- Support the financial thriving of young adults and rising generations through financial stability supports, affordable career pathways, early wealth building, and age-appropriate support and guidance.
- Remove savings and work penalties so low- and middle-income families can build financial stability.
- Scale emergency savings solutions to give workers more sources of liquidity that help them protect and grow longer-term wealth.
- Protect household wealth from frauds and scams.
- Identify the barriers and opportunities to expanding wealth building so that more Americans can share in the upside of our economy
To get this super vitamin in the hands of households across the country, we need a full Thanksgiving table. So, if you’re new to the Aspen FSP family, please pull up a seat! If you’re already part of our table, please come back and continue to do brave, consequential work. And no matter where you’ve intersected with us over the past decade, thank you for all of your partnership, wisdom, and friendship.
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