Millions of Americans work as freelancers, independent contractors, and solopreneurs. While this work allows for flexibility and entrepreneurship, it also presents difficult questions that require creative answers. Independent workers often experience income volatility, lack employer-provided benefits, face complex tax filing requirements, and have difficulty saving for the future.
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At this event, we will discuss these challenges and hear about innovative solutions from both the private and public sectors. We welcome you to be a part of this important dialogue.
If there is a question you would like to ask our speakers, please feel free to share it here.Â
Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District in the United States House of Representatives where he is serving his fifth term. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, serves as the ranking member of the NSA and Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and is Chair of the New Democrat Coalition.
Kosar Jahani is the Director of Impact at Samaschool, an organization that equips low-income job seekers to benefit from independent work while advocating for an economy in which all workers thrive. She leads research projects and data collection efforts that measure the organization's social impact.Â
Shelly Steward serves as Research Manager for the Future of Work Initiative. She is an economic sociologist focusing on the changing nature of work in American society. An expert in labor, culture, and public policy, she holds a PhD in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research examines how people understand their position in the labor market and the economy more broadly.
The event will include opening remarks from Future of Work Initiative Executive Director Alastair Fitzpayne, keynote remarks from Representative Jim Himes (CT), and an expert panel moderated by Yuki Noguchi of NPR.
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Panelists include:Â
David Mitchell, Assoc. Director, Policy & Market Solutions, Aspen Institute Financial Security ProgramÂ
Kosar Jahani, Director of Impact, Samaschool
Duke Chang, Co-Founder, bSolo
Shelly Steward, PhD, Research Manager, Aspen Institute Future of Work InitiativeÂ
Sarah Bailey, Independent Consultant and Researcher
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Light refreshments will be served.Â
Can't attend? Tune in to the live stream and join the conversation with @AspenFutureWork on September 12 at 2:30 PM.Â
The Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative is a nonpartisan effort to identify concrete ways to address the challenges American workers and businesses face due to the changing nature of work in the 21st century. Rather than waiting to react to future disruptions, it is critical to address the changes transforming the U.S. economy by investing in workers and strengthening preparedness for the jobs of the future.
Established in 2015, the Initiative is driven by the leadership of Honorary Co-Chairs Senator Mark R. Warner and Purdue University President and former Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels, and Co-Chairs John Bridgeland and Bruce Reed. Executive Director Alastair Fitzpayne leads an Aspen Institute staff, based in Washington, DC.