Press Releases
For media inquiries or permission requests, please contact our Senior Director of Communications, Shilpi Niyogi (shilpi.niyogi@aspeninstitute.org), or our Communications Manager, Brendan Creamer (brendan.creamer@aspeninstitute.org).

Rashika Lee was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. She currently works for Spectrum Health on the Patient Liability Support Team and helps patients understand billing and insurance.

Lorena is a single mother in the process of rebuilding her life. Though it has been challenging, she wouldn’t change a thing. Being a mother has not only been her greatest joy, but it has allowed her to find her vocation and pursue her lifelong love of health and science.

Sydney is currently a pre-law student. She spends most of her free time with her 22-month-old daughter Amiyah, painting, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.

Ariel Ventura-Lazo is a first-generation American and the first in his family to attend college. He currently studies Business Management, and is entering his senior year at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Lori Barr and her son, Anthony Barr are the co-founders of Raise the Barr, a philanthropic organization focused on increasing opportunity and economic mobility for low-income single parents and their children through education in Minneapolis and Los Angeles.

Angelina is a mentor with Jeremiah Program in Boston, and a former participant herself. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, and has recently gotten married. She is passionate about giving back to her community and guiding other mothers to push toward their goals.