Taos mayor admitted as Aspen Institute fellow
“It’s a group of people that are going to challenge him, and he will challenge them. They will also champion his vision. Over the course of his fellowship, he’s going to have access to so many connections and perspectives that will really open up new avenues for what he’s trying to achieve.”
Lori Severens, director of Leadership Programs, Ascend
On Tuesday (Oct. 10), Taos Mayor Pascual Maestas was announced as one of 20 members of the 2023 Class of Aspen Institute Ascend Fellows, an 18-month fellowship that gathers together leaders from across the nation to share ideas with one another.
Like all other participants, Maestas was nominated to the fellowship from within the Aspen Institute organization, which observes potential nominees in communities nationwide. According to Lori Severens, the director of Leadership Programs with Ascend at the Aspen Institute, Maestas’ qualifying factors were his “bold vision” and community focus.
“One aspect of [Maestas’] leadership that we were particularly interested in was the perspective he brings to the cohort,” Severens said. “He’s an elected leader of a small town in a rural area, and he has really close ties with his community and a history of service. These types of lenses we thought would add a lot of value to the group of leaders we’re bringing together.”
“I am reimagining the structure of governance for public education in New Mexico to achieve the best outcomes for our students,” Maestas said in a video produced by the Aspen Institute that introduces the 2023 fellows.
Other fellows are focused on filling economic gaps, improving childcare and expanding Native American healthcare coverage. Fellows also come from a variety of backgrounds, from psychologists, to educators, to social workers, all of whom have emerged as leaders in their respective communities. In all, this year’s fellows represent 14 states.
“As part of his Fellowship, Mayor Maestas will learn from and with his cohort as he continues reimagining the structure of governance for public education in New Mexico to achieve the best outcomes for our students,” a press release said about Maestas’ nomination. Since the program began in 2012, there have been 140 participants, including senators, governors and other policymakers.
“It’s a group of people that are going to challenge him, and he will challenge them,” Severens said. “They will also champion his vision. Over the course of his fellowship, he’s going to have access to so many connections and perspectives that will really open up new avenues for what he’s trying to achieve.”
According to Severens, most individuals in leadership roles lack the downtime suggested to reflect and evaluate their work. She said the hope is that this fellowship allows leaders the time to do just that alongside a group of fellow leaders. During his fellowship, Maestas will also have access to leadership mentorship in areas like strategy development, team management and change management, Severens said.
Since the fellowship is now in its 11th year, the institute has had time to assess the efficacy of the program. According to Severens, they have seen significant change in certain leaders who have gone through the program. She said these leaders are more open to outsourcing ideas and incorporate new research into their jobs.
“We see fellows who are much more self-reflective about how their values guide their work and leadership and a real commitment to life-long learning and growing as leaders,” Severens said. “These are already leaders who are established, who have vision, who have done really impressive things, and being part of this experience I think gives them more confidence in their abilities and what they can accomplish.”
The Aspen Institute has been founded in the idea of collectivizing and accelerating intellect since 1949. The Ascend Fellowship is just one offshoot of the organization that helps foster this goal.
“I am excited to participate in the Aspen Institute Ascend Fellowship and engage with other leaders around the country to affect change for the next generation,” Maestas said about his nomination.