On December 8, 2021, Aspen Institute Romania hosted and broadcast online the 11th edition of the ASPEN LEADERSHIP AWARDS.

The event was organized exclusively online and celebrated 15 years of activity of the Aspen Institute Romania, representing a special occasion for the Members of the Institute and for the beneficiaries of the Aspen programs to come together virtually and reflect on the impact that the Aspen community has on the development of the region.

The Aspen Leadership Awards are an opportunity to bring recognition to individuals who left their mark on the Romanian and global society, who were innovators and examples of ethical and professional conduct, in fields such as public service, research and innovation, sports or arts.

Through the Aspen Leadership Awards 2021, Aspen Institute Romania also brought recognition to the activities and initiatives of the incredible community of Aspen Fellows and Alumni. The Aspen community was the one to make nominations and to vote the winner of the Aspen Social Action Prize, a 1000 EUR grant awarded for a project initiated by an Aspen Fellow or Alumnus. During the event it was also announced the winner of the Aspen Fellows Network Grant, offered to a project initiated by the participants of the 2020-2021 generation of the Aspen Young Leaders Program.

The enthusiasm and energy of the Aspen Fellows and Alumni brought inspiration and joy, as many of them joined the event virtually and shared their thoughts on the Aspen experience.

The event also featured one of the most treasured moments of the Aspen Leadership Awards, the Diploma Ceremony of the 2020-`21 generation of Aspen Young Leaders Program, when we officially welcomed the newest Aspen Fellows to the Aspen community.

The Awardees of the 2021 edition of the Aspen Leadership Awards are:

  • ”Mihnea Constantinescu” Values-Based Leadership Award: Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary general of NATO
  • Innovation and Technology Leadership Award: FintechOS
  • Arts and Society Leadership Award: Mr. Cristian Mungiu, Film Director
  • Service with Dignity Leadership Award: The Force Protection Battalion “Martens”
  • Sports and Society Leadership Award: Mr. David Popovici, Competitive swimmer, Olympian, World junior record holder
  • Aspen Social Action Prize: AllGrow, initiated by Ms. Mădălina Bouroș, Aspen Fellow 2019
  • Aspen Fellows Network Grant, for a project initiated by participants of the 2020-’21 generation of Aspen Young Leaders Program: Tech Sisterhood

We thank all the Members of the Institute, the Aspen Fellows and Alumni and our Partners and Sponsors for their constant support, dedication, and willingness to contribute to the Good Society.

We thank the Partners of the Aspen Leadership Awards 2021 for their devotion to the Aspen Idea:

Award Sponsors RAIFFEISEN BANK, UNICREDIT BANK, EXXONMOBIL, Ms. Cătălina Iuga and Mr. Vasile Iuga
Aspen Social Action Prize Sponsor ALLIANCE HEALTHCARE ROMANIA
Gold Leaf Sponsors MERK CLASS and ORION
Media partner AGERPRES
With the support of DAVID SANDU JEWELRY and RHEA COSTA

The Aspen Leadership Awards constitute a source of financial support for the Aspen Leadership Trust, which was created at the beginning of the year 2020 as a structure aiming to support the Leadership Initiatives of the Aspen Institute Romania and to offer scholarships to join our Leadership Programs to high school students, university students, young professionals, public sector representatives and NGO representatives, in Romania and the region.

We invite you to support the Aspen Leadership Trust by joining us as Leadership Trustees or Individual Contributors, which will render a series of benefits in terms of promotion and visibility.

For more details regarding the Aspen Leadership Trust, the current Leadership Trustees and Individual Contributors and various possibilities to contribute, please click here or contact us via e-mail at ioana.antonescu@aspeninstitute.ro or mihai.cucu@aspeninstitute.ro.