Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation, sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dele Olojede, Founder & Host, Africa in the World (Africa Leadership Initiative – South Africa), to discuss leading through a moment when philanthropy's legal footing itself came under threat, and the decision to stand firm rather than comply in advance. He shared how MacArthur has approached its work through long-term, high-conviction "big bets," including a $100 million grant aimed at preventing the next pandemic, and a growing investment in reviving local journalism across America's news deserts.
The conversation turned to bigger questions: why progress, technological or societal, is never inevitable, and what it takes to bend the arc of history intentionally.
About the Resnick Aspen Action Forum
Each summer, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum offers the opportunity for the Aspen Global Leadership Network to come together to reflect, refresh, and recommit to confronting some of society’s greatest challenges.
More than a conference or a reunion; the Action Forum is a space where AGLN Fellows gather to search, challenge, and inspire one another. It’s where timeless questions spark bold commitments — and where we move together from thought to action.
About the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN)
The Aspen Global Leadership Network develops authentic, high-integrity leaders committed to proactively confronting societal challenges, individually and collectively, in order to create a more just, free, and equitable society. The network has fostered a worldwide community of more than 4,200 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit sector in more than 62 countries. Because of their demonstrated accomplishments and abilities, they have been selected to join one of 16+ geographic or sector-specific AGLN Fellowships around the world. Through Fellowship programs, global gatherings, and direct capital support, the AGLN equips exceptional individuals with the support to address humanity’s greatest challenges — working to create a world where everyone thrives.
AGLN’s website: aspeninstitute.org/agln
Instagram: instagram.com/aspenagln
Linkedin: linkedin.com/showcase/aspen-global-leadership-network
John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation, sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dele Olojede, Founder & Host, Africa in the World (Africa Leadership Initiative – South Africa), to discuss leading through a moment when philanthropy's legal footing itself came under threat, and the decision to stand firm rather than comply in advance. He shared how MacArthur has approached its work through long-term, high-conviction "big bets," including a $100 million grant aimed at preventing the next pandemic, and a growing investment in reviving local journalism across America's news deserts.
The conversation turned to bigger questions: why progress, technological or societal, is never inevitable, and what it takes to bend the arc of history intentionally.
About the Resnick Aspen Action Forum
Each summer, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum offers the opportunity for the Aspen Global Leadership Network to come together to reflect, refresh, and recommit to confronting some of society’s greatest challenges.
More than a conference or a reunion; the Action Forum is a space where AGLN Fellows gather to search, challenge, and inspire one another. It’s where timeless questions spark bold commitments — and where we move together from thought to action.
About the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN)
The Aspen Global Leadership Network develops authentic, high-integrity leaders committed to proactively confronting societal challenges, individually and collectively, in order to create a more just, free, and equitable society. The network has fostered a worldwide community of more than 4,200 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit sector in more than 62 countries. Because of their demonstrated accomplishments and abilities, they have been selected to join one of 16+ geographic or sector-specific AGLN Fellowships around the world. Through Fellowship programs, global gatherings, and direct capital support, the AGLN equips exceptional individuals with the support to address humanity’s greatest challenges — working to create a world where everyone thrives.
AGLN’s website: aspeninstitute.org/agln
Instagram: instagram.com/aspenagln
Linkedin: linkedin.com/showcase/aspen-global-leadership-network
