Fearless Leaders Kick Off The 2018 Resnick Aspen Action Forum 180

Fearless Leaders Kick Off The 2018 Resnick Aspen Action Forum

Published
The world is in need of bold leaders— those undaunted by the challenges of globalization, migration, automation, isolation, and the unknown. These leaders remain calm in the face of relentless pressure and maintain their moral compasses when core values are questioned. This year’s Resnick Aspen Action Forum is dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Leadership.
Action Forum managing director Tommy Loper noted that the theme was chosen shortly after last year’s forum when some Aspen Global Leadership Network fellows raised their concerns about the state of the world. Their anxieties included the rise of nationalism, increased social fragmentation, and the unchecked power of artificial intelligence. To address these, the Action Forum team asked themselves: What are the most important values for leaders to have as society navigates this inflection point? Loper found examples in the stories of many AGLN fellows.

“I have seen how this community faces fear head on,” he said. “For some in this room fearless leadership is an everyday act.”

Institute trustee Lynda Resnick echoed these sentiments. She applauded the AGLN fellows for taking on challenges that most would shy away from. Lynda and her husband Stewart are about to take on a challenge of their own. They run The Wonderful Company, which operates large orchards and processing plants. Many of these are located in California’s Central Valley which produces two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and nuts. The Central Valley also ranks among the poorest regions in the state and the nation.

To understand the needs of workers in these communities, Lynda and Stewart pored over maps and talked with teachers, activists, and local leaders. “I approached the problem the way I do in business,” Lynda said. “I did research.”

d923f2ee07a876747884abb5c3944ed2-huge-ac  

After weighing their options, the Resnicks chose to work in the town of Lost Hills. They built affordable homes, paved the roads and put in streetlights, and built Wonderful Park, a space with two community centers, recreational fields, and a playground. Still another challenge arose. Many residents of Lost Hills dealt with obesity, diabetes, and other dietary-related health issues.

An internal survey of Wonderful Company employees estimated that, without intervention, 87 percent of employees would develop diabetes by the time they reached their 50s. At the time of the survey, 12 percent of employees were already living with the condition. Something had to be done.

At the 2015 Action Forum, Lynda pledged to create and implement a holistic approach to health and wellness for Wonderful employees and their families in the Central Valley. Three years later, the company now operates two centers dedicated to tackling health challenges in the workplace, at home, and in schools.

Inspiring behavioral change has been difficult, but Lynda and her team are undeterred. They started a mobile clinic for those who lack access to transportation and launched a health ambassadors program to encourage workers to make healthier choices. In three years, they have reduced the number of pre-diabetic workers from 50 percent to 29 percent.

“I approached the problem the way I do in business– I did research.” - Institute Trustee Lynda Resnick


Over the last five years, with the help of Noemi Donoso, Chicago Public School’s former chief education officer, and a Pahara-Aspen Fellow in the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Lynda and Stewart have also extended the reach of Wonderful Education, an array of programs supporting K-12 students in the Central Valley. Wonderful College Prep Academy boasts a 100 percent graduation rate with 88 percent of seniors attending four-year colleges. 86 percent of the class of 2018 will be first-generation college students.

The education program also partners with high schools and colleges to arm students with an associate of science degree to prepare them for agriculture jobs of the future. Wonderful Company grants and scholarships are also awarded to students across the valley.

Lynda hopes to continue this work by updating her pledge. She is dedicated to reducing incidents of obesity, diabetes, and stress among her workers, but also wants to provide their families with first-class education opportunities.

“This has easily been the most fulfilling chapter of my life,” she said. “I’ve experienced a true transformation with the power of ideas backed by hard work, supported by great teamwork, and propelled by fearless leadership.”
Blog AGLN Blog 07/26/2018 4:56pm EDT

Leave a Comment

No Data Available

Other Recent Posts

Relevance

Explore upcoming opportunities to come back together with this community and continue the journey of fellowship. October 14-15, 2023 | Dubai, UAE AGLN Fellow Reunion in Dubai Fellows across the AGLN, especially those in China, India, Africa and the Middle East, have expressed a desire to reconnect with one another to build deeper bonds in a location ...

Added by Samantha Cherry Blog AGLN Blog 08/02/2023

Charles Conn is a 2001 Henry Crown Fellow. He is co-founder of Monograph, a life sciences venture firm, and chair of Patagonia. Charles co-authored best-selling Bulletproof Problem Solving , and newly released The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times (Wiley 2023). Our Operating Context We live in a different world than the one ...

Added by Charles Conn Blog AGLN Blog 05/16/2023

Together with the McNulty Foundation, we're excited to announce the Winners of the 2022 John P. McNulty Prize , three individuals who have leveraged their expertise, experience, and networks to build and lead transformative social impact ventures. Their transformative social ventures are striving to end malnutrition worldwide , sparking a ...

Added by Samantha Cherry Blog AGLN Blog 07/18/2022

More than a year after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the American political landscape reflects the yawning divides highlighted on that violent day and reveals the extent to which extremist beliefs have become part of the mainstream. As the 2022 midterm election campaign kicks into high gear, I’m deeply concerned about the state of ...

Added by Jonathan Greenblatt Blog AGLN Blog 02/25/2022

Fellows across the network are tackling issues like good education, diversity on boards, cross-community dialogue and more. This Giving Season, we're excited to share causes close to the hearts of Fellows across our global community. Read below and consider giving or getting involved in these incredible organizations.

Added by Jael Lewis Blog AGLN Blog 11/24/2021