At Aspire Institute, community is more than a concept, it’s a growing, global network of changemakers. This month, Aspire team members traveled across borders and state lines to meet face-to-face with alumni and learners of the Aspire Leaders Program in two vibrant cities: Medellín, Colombia, and New York City.
A First for Aspire in Colombia: Building Bonds in Medellín
In our first-ever Aspire meetup in Colombia, Aspire Institute’s Chief of Staff, Dimitri Antoniou, touched down in Medellín and was met with a resounding welcome. “Within hours, I had 15 responses expressing interest, excitement, warm welcome, and offers to help organize,” Dimitri shared about organizing the event. Soon after, nine alumni and one current learner gathered at Restaurante Aula to share a meal, ideas, and aspirations.
The group reflected on how the Aspire Leaders Program shaped their personal and professional growth. They spoke about overcoming imposter syndrome, building confidence in their leadership potential, and finding new ways to take initiative in their communities. Many emphasized how valuable it was to engage with peers from different countries and backgrounds, gaining fresh perspectives on local challenges. Others highlighted the opportunity to improve their English and communication skills through Aspire’s curriculum and peer-to-peer learning. The meetup itself became a space for sharing stories, exploring collaboration, and strengthening bonds between Aspire learners in Colombia for the very first time.
With more than 500 alumni across Colombia, this marks the beginning of a new chapter for Aspire’s presence in the country and the spark of a powerful local community.
Visiting Faculty Seminar in New York City: Leadership Unlocked With Prof. Tarun Khanna
Earlier this month in New York City, Aspire team members Rizreen Siraj (Extended Leadership Projects Lead) and Chané Vanes (Senior Program Coordinator) co-hosted Aspire’s first-ever Visiting Faculty Seminar: Leadership Unlocked. Held at Scandinavia House, the in-person event featured Harvard Business School professor and Aspire co-founder, Prof. Tarun Khanna. It brought together a vibrant group of Aspire learners, alumni, and prospective students for an afternoon of insight, conversation, and connection.
The event kicked off with a lively networking session, during which Prof. Khanna engaged personally with attendees, learning more about their backgrounds and motivations for joining the event. Participants also eagerly connected with one another, building new relationships within the Aspire community.
Following the networking session, Prof. Khanna led an interactive case discussion on Zipline, a company specializing in drone-based service delivery. The group engaged in animated discussions around the viability of drone deliveries, the comparative ease of entering emerging versus developed markets, and the challenges of protecting Zipline’s intellectual property from imitators.
The afternoon concluded with a special recognition of Aspire community leaders Ariel Laura Metayer and Mariana Morales Gonzalez for their outstanding contributions.
The following morning, Rizreen continued the conversation over a breakfast meeting with a group of Aspire learners. They delved deeper into the learners’ experiences in the Aspire Leaders Program and explored additional ways to support their growth. Learners highlighted the program’s global reach, the opportunity to engage with participants from diverse backgrounds, and the live masterclasses as some of the most compelling aspects of their Aspire journey.
Looking Ahead
Whether gathered around a lunch table in Medellín or at a breakfast café in New York, these moments reminded us of the heartbeat of Aspire: real connections, real stories, and real leaders. As our global community continues to grow, we’re more committed than ever to showing up, listening, and walking alongside the leaders we serve. Stay tuned for information about in-person and virtual Aspire gatherings in your country!
