Uplifting bold and visionary leaders advancing the well-being of communities and beyond through courageous leadership.
Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award
Lola Adedokun, late Executive Director of Aspen Global Innovators Group, dedicated her career to elevating underrepresented voices, fostering collaboration, and championing innovative, community-centered approaches to global health and development.
Lola was more than a leader—she was a visionary, a mentor, and a champion for development, health and gender equity across the world. Lola believed deeply in the power of locally-rooted leadership and made it her mission to amplify underrepresented voices. As the Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group, she worked tirelessly to equip diverse leaders with the tools to drive meaningful change, fostering community-driven solutions that create lasting impact. Amplifying these voices was not just a priority—it was a central part of her life purpose.
Her energy, passion, and commitment to making a difference and a lasting change were contagious.
To honor her remarkable impact, the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Global Innovators Group has established the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award.
Honoring A Legacy. Advancing Bold Leadership.
Each year, two fellows will be selected to join one of Aspen Global Innovators Group’s pioneering programs—Impact West Africa, Advanced Advocacy, Aspen New Voices, or Healthy Communities. These individuals will exemplify courageous leadership, systems change, and a commitment to social progress.
The selected fellows will partake in 2-3 in-person convenings held over the course of the year and have frequent virtual check-ins with their mentor. The award will focus on strategic advocacy training (coalition building, policy analysis, popular mobilization), strategic communications training (Op-Ed development, public speaking, storytelling), and leadership development.
Selection Criteria
-
A proven commitment to addressing inequities in health and development
-
Courageous leadership driving breakthrough change
-
Leadership characterized by generosity, empathy, and mentorship
-
Exceptional dedication to advancing underserved communities
-
Authenticity in action—leaders who genuinely "walk the talk"
Impact In Action
Reflecting on Lola - From Our Community
"Lola was a remarkable force for good, tirelessly championing community-led solutions for meaningful change. Through this fellowship, we seek to honor her memory by uplifting leaders who share her vision and values."
-Peggy Clark, Founder & Interim Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group
“We will always remember Lola for her dynamic presence and leadership. Her commitment to equitable health and prosperity was both global and domestic and she was a tireless champion for the needs of all. We will miss her care, her drive to make the world better through her work, and her friendship.”
- Dan Porterfield, President & CEO of the Aspen Institute
"It was my privilege to hire Lola and to have her join as a leader of our team. Even among the special people who work at the Aspen Institute -- offering their talents and passions to address many of the world's largest challenges and inequities - - Lola stood out. Her spirit, her values, her special magic, her inspiration, will never be lost. "
- Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President, Policy Programs and International Partners of the Aspen Institute
"Dear Lola, You are one of the few people I have met who, in such a short time, inspired me deeply and left a lasting mark on my heart. Your soul was beautiful, and I will always cherish how warmly and humbly you engaged and treated me as one of your own. You made me believe that an African girl can achieve anything. When I heard of your passing, I went to bed in tears, but I woke up with the assurance that you are in a better place. May the Good Lord preserve your soul, Lola. Sending love from earth."
-Gloria Agyare, Aspen Global Innovators Senior Fellow
“Lola Adedokun was an inspiring leader, a valued colleague, and a dear friend. Most of all, she embodied the idea that the future can be better than the past, that our moral horizons can expand ever outward, and that leaders with vision can change the world. We are honored to help the Aspen Institute continue Lola's legacy of leadership.”
-Sam Gill, President and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation
The Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award is supported by our generous funding partner, the Doris Duke Foundation.
FAQ
The Aspen Global Innovators Group is one of 30+ policy programs at the Aspen Institute. Since 2009, the Aspen Global Innovators Group has championed health and development leaders from 54 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Island States to build a safe, sustainable and healthier future for all people and communities. Our network of 7000+ individuals and organizations has served 200 million people, improving health, well-being, and equity.
Our mission is to catalyze leaders worldwide to drive equitable transformation in their communities. Our global community stands with local leaders, collaborators, healers, and fellows who have long been beacons in this movement and whose voices and work are critical to reshaping a healthy, equitable future for all. We are committed to amplifying the voices and impact of those who are leading this work.
Aspen Global Innovators Group operates across three key areas to promote power-shifting and amplify voices from communities most affected by pressing challenges. Our approach involves:
- Elevating Local leadership through capacity building programs that supports these leaders with the skills, knowledge and resources to drive change as well as through investing in values based leadership development.
- Compelling change through storytelling. This involves harnessing the power of convenings, storytelling and advocacy campaigns to bring attention to overlooked challenges, influence polices promoting equitable healthcare access, address systemic inequalities, and compel meaningful change.
- Sustainable Global Impact. This involves cross-sectoral collaborations with various partners addressing complex health and development challenges more effectively as well as prioritizing investing in the continuous support of local leaders and communities to ensure lasting impact.
The Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award has been established to honor the life and legacy of Aspen Global Innovator Group’s Late Executive Director, Lola Adedokun. Throughout her career at the Doris Duke Foundation and later at the Aspen Institute, Lola was dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering courageous, community-led solutions in health, development, and gender equity. This award will annually celebrate and support exceptional leaders who embody her values of social justice, collaboration, and bold leadership in advancing community-driven solutions.
The selection process for the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award will identify candidates from the pool of applicants and nominees for the New Voices, Impact West Africa, Advanced Advocacy, or Healthy Communities Fellowship. To learn more about the individual fellowships and process to nominate, visit our website.
A review committee will evaluate the nominated individuals based on their leadership, impact, and commitment to advancing progress in health, development, and advocacy through transformative change.
Criteria for to be selected as the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Fellow includes the following:
- A proven commitment to addressing inequities in health and development
- Courageous leadership driving breakthrough change
- Leadership characterized by generosity, empathy, and mentorship
- Exceptional dedication to advancing underserved communities
- Authenticity in action—leaders who genuinely "walk the talk"
For any questions, please email globalinnovators@aspeninstitute.org
Contact us at globalinnovators@aspeninstitute.org if you have any questions.
Lola Adedokun Aspen Doris Duke Award
Uplifting bold and visionary leaders advancing the well-being of communities and beyond through courageous leadership.
Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award
Lola Adedokun, late Executive Director of Aspen Global Innovators Group, dedicated her career to elevating underrepresented voices, fostering collaboration, and championing innovative, community-centered approaches to global health and development.
Lola was more than a leader-she was a visionary, a mentor, and a champion for development, health and gender equity across the world. Lola believed deeply in the power of locally-rooted leadership and made it her mission to amplify underrepresented voices. As the Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group, she worked tirelessly to equip diverse leaders with the tools to drive meaningful change, fostering community-driven solutions that create lasting impact. Amplifying these voices was not just a priority-it was a central part of her life purpose.
Her energy, passion, and commitment to making a difference and a lasting change were contagious.
To honor her remarkable impact, the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Global Innovators Group has established the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award.
Donate to support a fellowHonoring A Legacy. Advancing Bold Leadership.
Each year, two fellows will be selected to join one of Aspen Global Innovators Group’s pioneering programs-Impact West Africa, Advanced Advocacy, Aspen New Voices, or Healthy Communities. These individuals will exemplify courageous leadership, systems change, and a commitment to social progress.
The selected fellows will partake in 2-3 in-person convenings held over the course of the year and have frequent virtual check-ins with their mentor. The award will focus on strategic advocacy training (coalition building, policy analysis, popular mobilization), strategic communications training (Op-Ed development, public speaking, storytelling), and leadership development.
Selection Criteria
-
A proven commitment to addressing inequities in health and development
-
Courageous leadership driving breakthrough change
-
Leadership characterized by generosity, empathy, and mentorship
-
Exceptional dedication to advancing underserved communities
-
Authenticity in action-leaders who genuinely “walk the talk”
Impact In Action
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Reflecting on Lola – From Our Community
“Lola was a remarkable force for good, tirelessly championing community-led solutions for meaningful change. Through this fellowship, we seek to honor her memory by uplifting leaders who share her vision and values.”
–Peggy Clark, Founder & Interim Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group
“We will always remember Lola for her dynamic presence and leadership. Her commitment to equitable health and prosperity was both global and domestic and she was a tireless champion for the needs of all. We will miss her care, her drive to make the world better through her work, and her friendship.”
– Dan Porterfield, President & CEO of the Aspen Institute
“It was my privilege to hire Lola and to have her join as a leader of our team. Even among the special people who work at the Aspen Institute — offering their talents and passions to address many of the world’s largest challenges and inequities – – Lola stood out. Her spirit, her values, her special magic, her inspiration, will never be lost. “
– Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President, Policy Programs and International Partners of the Aspen Institute
“Dear Lola, You are one of the few people I have met who, in such a short time, inspired me deeply and left a lasting mark on my heart. Your soul was beautiful, and I will always cherish how warmly and humbly you engaged and treated me as one of your own. You made me believe that an African girl can achieve anything. When I heard of your passing, I went to bed in tears, but I woke up with the assurance that you are in a better place. May the Good Lord preserve your soul, Lola. Sending love from earth.”–Gloria Agyare, Aspen Global Innovators Senior Fellow
“Lola Adedokun was an inspiring leader, a valued colleague, and a dear friend. Most of all, she embodied the idea that the future can be better than the past, that our moral horizons can expand ever outward, and that leaders with vision can change the world. We are honored to help the Aspen Institute continue Lola’s legacy of leadership.”
-Sam Gill, President and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation
The Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award is supported by our generous funding partner, the Doris Duke Foundation.
FAQ
What is Aspen Global Innovators Group?
The Aspen Global Innovators Group is one of 30+ policy programs at the Aspen Institute. Since 2009, the Aspen Global Innovators Group has championed health and development leaders from 54 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Island States to build a safe, sustainable and healthier future for all people and communities. Our network of 7000+ individuals and organizations has served 200 million people, improving health, well-being, and equity.
Our mission is to catalyze leaders worldwide to drive equitable transformation in their communities. Our global community stands with local leaders, collaborators, healers, and fellows who have long been beacons in this movement and whose voices and work are critical to reshaping a healthy, equitable future for all. We are committed to amplifying the voices and impact of those who are leading this work.
Aspen Global Innovators Group operates across three key areas to promote power-shifting and amplify voices from communities most affected by pressing challenges. Our approach involves:
- Elevating Local leadership through capacity building programs that supports these leaders with the skills, knowledge and resources to drive change as well as through investing in values based leadership development.
- Compelling change through storytelling. This involves harnessing the power of convenings, storytelling and advocacy campaigns to bring attention to overlooked challenges, influence polices promoting equitable healthcare access, address systemic inequalities, and compel meaningful change.
- Sustainable Global Impact. This involves cross-sectoral collaborations with various partners addressing complex health and development challenges more effectively as well as prioritizing investing in the continuous support of local leaders and communities to ensure lasting impact.
What is the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award?
The Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award has been established to honor the life and legacy of Aspen Global Innovator Group’s Late Executive Director, Lola Adedokun. Throughout her career at the Doris Duke Foundation and later at the Aspen Institute, Lola was dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering courageous, community-led solutions in health, development, and gender equity. This award will annually celebrate and support exceptional leaders who embody her values of social justice, collaboration, and bold leadership in advancing community-driven solutions.
What is the selection process?
The selection process for the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Award will identify candidates from the pool of applicants and nominees for the New Voices, Impact West Africa, Advanced Advocacy, or Healthy Communities Fellowship. To learn more about the individual fellowships and process to nominate, visit our website.
A review committee will evaluate the nominated individuals based on their leadership, impact, and commitment to advancing progress in health, development, and advocacy through transformative change.
Criteria for to be selected as the Lola Adedokun Aspen-Doris Duke Fellow includes the following:
- A proven commitment to addressing inequities in health and development
- Courageous leadership driving breakthrough change
- Leadership characterized by generosity, empathy, and mentorship
- Exceptional dedication to advancing underserved communities
- Authenticity in action-leaders who genuinely “walk the talk”
Contact Information
For any questions, please email globalinnovators@aspeninstitute.org
Contact us at globalinnovators@aspeninstitute.org if you have any questions.
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