Young adults throughout the US are volunteering — at all ages — and at such a level that as a group, they are now known for their generosity of spirit and dedication to social progress. How can we help build an infrastructure to continue to grow that momentum? What can we do to engage more youth in an active commitment to giving back to their country? How can we keep them engaged once they have demonstrated an interest in serving their communities? Activist leaders of the global movement, We...

Large, well-established industry leaders are losing market share to a wide array of smaller, nimbler start-ups. Reduced labor costs from outsourcing, social media tools for less expensive, more targeted marketing, and enhanced internet-supported distribution channels all lower competitive barriers and create a compelling climate for new entities. New businesses are often more efficiently run and react faster than larger, corporate entities. Can market leaders re-establish their position by...

Income inequality and education disparity between the middle class and the underserved has grown more pronounced over the past several decades. Children born into poverty today have little opportunity for social mobility and are often not supported by or exposed to basic educational building blocks or fundamental health information. This discussion will focus on the role and responsibility of the private sector to help improve public health and schools through career technical education,...

There are two kinds of companies — those that are disruptors and those that will be disrupted. What sets them apart is their vision and ability to apply technology and resources to lead in this new, accelerated disruption economy. In the last five years, numerous industries have been disrupted by start-ups with minimal infrastructure and simple concepts that turned classic business models on their heads. How can a company protect its current market share through technology advances? How can a...

The auto industry is in the midst of a revolution -- what powers cars, what keeps them safe, even the idea of what a car is. How does an established leader like Toyota stay nimble in the sharing economy, with fast moving technology and new entrants like Google and Uber? What will the future of mobility look like for consumers and for society?

Americans are living longer, healthier lives yet most approaching retirement age are not prepared financially to maintain their current lifestyle nor are they prepared for long term care needs. The reality, however, is that if asked, the majority of adults would opt to live in their homes for as long as possible, independently, and on their own terms. Since expectations do not match the financial stability needed to fulfill these wishes, what, as a nation, can we do to encourage families to...

Not only are leaders of private, corporate and family foundations results-oriented, but they seek to leverage and learn from each other, sharing the knowledge they gain. Similarly, individual philanthropists play an equally significant role in the growing philanthropic community, both contributing to and drawing from an emerging "knowledge commons.”

Key economic indicators suggest that the US Economy has recovered from the global recession. However, we have seen slow economic growth in the US, while other countries have enjoyed a faster paced financial recovery. What can we do to jump-start our economic engine? What mechanisms do we have to empower our companies to increase employment opportunities and to enable our citizens to pursue sustainable jobs? Are there more targeted fiscal policies we should adopt which would create increased...

Go to an investment conference today and you will hear all about “impact investing” — investing with the intent to have both social and financial returns. All of the major investment firms have launched investment advisory products around it. A few family foundations have committed all of their assets to it. Yet, according to the Global Impact Investing Network, only $10.6 billion was placed globally in impact investments in 2014. That is less than 0.1 percent of total global investments. So,...

Discussion will explore root causes for the rise and fall of oil prices, and will also focus on the impact of fluctuations in the price of oil on other industries and on the global economy. The session will seek to answer such questions as: What will be the long term effects of oil prices on the economy? What will this mean for alternative energy sources, such as solar and electricity? What will happen to housing component prices? Are we too comfortable with our inexpensive oil prices?

What does it mean to have lived a “Well Lived Life?” Previously, U.S. Trust’s annual survey has shown that satisfaction with increased wealth comes from being able to use it with increased purpose: To achieve goals, to make a difference in areas that matter most, and to live up to personal expectations. Their 2015 survey explored expectations of a life well lived, including: What does the phrase “a life well lived” mean, and does it change based on demographics? Must it be viewed...

With Zack Rosenburg, CEO and Co-Founder of the St. Bernard Project // In the wake of unrest in cities across America, how can the public and private sectors collaborate to effect positive change in struggling communities? A success story can be found in Atlanta. By incorporating its own engaging and life-altering programs, and partnering with like-minded organizations such as The First Tee, the East Lake Foundation is a national model of how to break the cycle of intergenerational...

Capital investment is the lifeblood of economic growth, innovation and improved productivity. Despite record cash on corporate balance sheets, strong cash flow and low borrowing costs, US capital investment has been very weak by historical standards for at least a decade. Come explore the causes of this problem, including secular stagnation, tax regulatory and trade policies, and weak animal spirits, and possible policy options to help reverse the trend. A recent research paper by the Aspen...

Businesses — and their leaders — almost universally recognize the importance of learning from failure. But what are the right lessons to take away? And how can businesses learn them in a way that enables future success, rather than creating mere retrospective understanding? As failure becomes a badge of honor in the start-up world, how can other companies and organizations adopt a culture of failure that complements and enables traditional business models? In a world where not all failures...