Announcing the 2024 class of
aspen institute Ascend fellows

The selection committee considered each nominee against the Fellowship criteria:

• Have a bold idea that can “move the needle” on policies, systems, and practices centered on our youngest children and their families;

• Be at an inflection point in their leadership, with a big idea and readiness for action;

• Embody an entrepreneurial spirit and high-impact drive;

• Embrace a commitment to justice, equity, and an inclusive mindset;

• Value lifelong growth, diverse perspectives, lived experience, and innovation in service of children and families;

• Ensure that families and their success are at the center of change;

• Represent the talent, potential, and diversity of our country, including sector, geography, gender, ability, race and ethnicity.

While strong candidates represent a range of disciplines, we prioritized the following types of leaders, innovation, and impact:

• Leaders in the public, private, and social sectors with breakthrough ideas to reduce infant and maternal mortality

• Non-profit or business leaders with transformative ideas around early learning systems and the workforce

• State or local leaders ready to redesign public systems to focus on the well-being of our youngest children and families

• Journalists, academic, or cultural influencers breaking through the noise to open hearts and minds to children and their families’ dreams

Applying Racial Equity and Gender Lenses

The Ascend Fellowship selection process is highly curated and competitive. For the 2024 cohort, Ascend considered 220 nominations and invited a subset to apply. After reviewing applications, we made some tough decisions to identify 37 outstanding finalists to interview. We then selected a final cohort of 22 inspirational Fellows.

Each year, we invite Ascend Fellows to welcome the new cohort. Below are some sample messages that you can use to promote the announcement across your channels. These are just suggestions though; please feel free to promote in whatever way you think would connect to your audience! We would just ask that you consider linking to the announcement video in whatever message you share.

Messages for Fellows

Option A 

I’m thrilled to welcome the 2024 class of @AspenInstitute #AscendFellows! Get excited for a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and daring to advance well-being for children, families, and communities ♥️ [Video Link]

Option B

I’m thrilled to welcome the newest class of @AspenInstitute #AscendFellows! I am still growing, learning, and daring alongside my cohort and can’t wait for you all to experience that magic with one another @AspenAscend [Video Link]

Message for Partners

Congratulations to the new class of @AspenInstitute Ascend Fellows! I can't wait to see the big ideas that these 22 leaders from across the country will bring to life! [Video Link]

Accounts, Channels and Handles 

Please feel free to liberally use the following hashtags and tag the following accounts throughout posting:

Hashtags: #AscendFellow, #AscendFellows

LinkedIn: this is our primary promotional platform. If you're going to post anything, this is the best place to do it!

@Anne-Mosle – Anne Mosle 

@Ascend-at-the-Aspen-Institute - Ascend

@The-Aspen-Institute – The Aspen Institute 

Twitter/X:

@AspenAscend – Ascend at the Aspen Institute

@AspenInstitute – the Aspen Institute 

Facebook:

@AspenAscend – Ascend at the Aspen Institute

@AspenInstitute – the Aspen Institute 

With each new class, it's a great opportunity to connect new Fellows with existing Fellows and Alumni. To make sure we build the connection between your work and the Ascend Fellowship, please consider taking the following steps if you have not already done so:

1. Including “Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow” in your official bio on your organization’s website. Sample text:

   • [NAME] is an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow.

2. Adding Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow to your LinkedIn Profile

   • Position: Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow

   • Company: Aspen Institute

   • Description: As an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, I was selected to be part of  diverse cadre of leaders who are well-connected, well-prepared, and powerfully positioned to build the political will, change systems, and drive the policy agenda needed for the well-being and prosperity of all children and families.
     
     

3. Identifying yourself as an #AscendFellow on relevant social media platforms
   
   

4. Identifying yourself as “an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow” on published bylines in media outlets.