Our Model
New Voices is the catalyst that propels Fellows into positions of power and places of recognition necessary to create change.
Following the modest yearlong investment, Fellows go on to scale their organizations and ideas, often reaching millions of people through governmental policy and direct service care innovations.
On average, every Fellowship class experiences a 120% increase in media appearances two years after their Fellowship year compared to the year prior. This significant increase in media recognition, combined with stellar strategic advocacy and communications training, propels Fellows into leadership and policy-making positions which lead to career and organizational advancement, increased funding and public policy change.
The ripple effect of the Fellowship persists for years. Want to learn more about how the program impacts Fellows? See what New Voices Fellows accomplished in November and December.
“In many ways, the Aspen New Voices Fellowship prepared me for such a high-level position by expanding my audience beyond the echo chambers of academia. The Fellowship also challenged me to explore a career that brings me closer to ‘delivering dignity’ to many more Africans.”
Ed Mabaya, 2017 New Voices Fellows after accepting a Divisional Manager position the African Development Bank
Movement Building
New Voices Fellows embody a unique combination of professional expertise and lived experience, which makes them powerful champions for change in their communities and the world. We not only look at the Fellows’ success record, we also look at the issues they are working on. Fellows are passionate about issues that are themselves often overlooked. A key component about our recruitment process is critically assessing the issues that Fellows and their organizations are fighting for, to see if the Fellowship can aid in the recognition and support for the issue.
To date the Fellowship has supported experts passionate about 20 key development movements including climate change, food security, agricultural development, infectious disease prevention, vaccine equity, women’s empowerment, mental health, and health systems strengthening.
Recent Highlights
Aspen New Voices 2016 fellow Sathya Raghu and his team at Kheyti have been awarded with the world’s most prestigious environmental prize, The Earthshot Prize.
Kennedy Odede Featured in the New York Times on January 11, 2023.
Aspen New Voices 2018 Fellow, Ahmed Kura has been named as a “Hero” by the Government of Kenya and has awarded him with the “Head of State Commendation” in recognition and appreciation for the continuous contributions Kura has made in creating an exemplary educational environment.
Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng was recognised as one of the 100 most influential African women of 2022.
Shikoh Gitau (NVF ’15), Thumbi Mwangi (NVF ’16) and Loice Ombaji (NVF ’21) met with Bill Gates in October to demonstrate how their innovative technology, CEMA, can track health and epidemiological trends to prevent future disease outbreaks.
