Jessica Catto Dialogues

Founded in memory of Jessica Hobby Catto, ACES’ Jessica Catto Dialogues (JCD) lecture series brings environmental luminaries to Aspen to inspire positive change.

Each year, over 1,000 Aspen residents and visitors come together to engage in an open dialogue about our most pressing environmental concerns. With past presenters including Carl Safina, Joel Salatin, Bill McKibben, Terry Tempest Williams and others, this series highlights the work of leaders in environmental and climate science, regenerative agriculture, economics, and ecosystem health, specifically focusing on those who are involved in promoting civic action and social justice.

The series is funded by the Catto Charitable Foundation in Jessica’s memory and is curated in partnership with Jessica’s daughter and son-in-law, Isa and Daniel Shaw. Jessica was a staunch environmental and social rights advocate, courageous in her resolve to be an effective voice for change. She served on the Boards of Conservation International, the National Parks Conservation Association, World Resources Institute, the Conservation Fund, the Environmental Defense Fund, and ACES. As a longstanding member at The Aspen Institute, she also established the Catto Fellowship for a Sustainable Future.

Jessica Hobby Catto

Past Jessica Catto Dialogues

Video: A World on the Wing

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Video: Climate Change and Megafires in Our Backyard

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Video: Cultivating Place: Gardening as an Intersectional Agent of Change with Jennifer Jewell

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Past Jessica Catto Dialogue Speakers

Rick Bass

Author and Wilderness Advocate

Michael Curtin

Chief Executive Officer of DC Central Kitchen

Marcus Eriksen

Director of Science & Innovation at 5 Gyres

Maggie Fox

Former President & CEO, Climate Reality Project

Philipp Hildebrand

Vice Chairman of BlackRock

Jennifer Jewell

Writer/Producer, Radio Host

Julia Kamari Drapkin

CEO & Founder, ISeeChange

Melinda Kramer

Co-founder, Women's Earth Alliance

Thomas Lovejoy

Professor, George Mason University

Amory Lovins

Cofounder & Chairman Emeritus, Rocky Mountain Institute

Tony Malkin

President & CEO, Empire State Realty Trust

Jason Mark

Editor for Sierra Magazine, Sierra Club

Gina McCarthy

Former EPA Administrator and President of the NRDC

Bill McKibben

Founder & Senior Advisor, 350.org

Craig McNamara

President & Owner, Sierra Orchards

Naomi Oreskes

Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science

Shyla Raghav

Vice President of Climate Change, Conservation International

Carl Safina

Ecologist, Conservationist, Author

Joel Salatin

Owner & Farmer, Polyface Farms

M. Sanjayan

Chief Executive Officer, Conservation International

Florian Schulz

Photographer, Florian Schulz Productions

Terry Tempest William

Author & Activist

Randy Udall

Energy Analyst & Activist, CORE

Rev. Lennox Yearwood

President and Founder of Hip Hop Caucus