The Hertz Foundation has long distinguished itself as a catalyst for scientific innovation, fostering an ecosystem where exceptional minds collaborate to address the most pressing challenges of our time. From July 17–20, 2025, that mission came alive at the largest Hertz Summer Workshop yet—a four-day gathering at the beautiful Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO.
With over 220 Fellows and friends in attendance, the 2025 Hertz Summer Workshop was a convergence of intellect, curiosity, and community spirit. Guests enjoyed compelling scientific sessions, small-group breakout discussions and activities, meaningful conversations, and energizing outdoor activities, all set against an inspiring mountain backdrop.
“It was amazing. One of the most enjoyable and spectacular conferences that I’ve ever attended in my entire life.”
Kyle Loh
Assistant Professor, Stanford University
2011 Hertz Fellow
Science and Technology Sessions
The Summer Workshop continues to draw some of the brightest minds across disciplines, sparking conversations that cross boundaries of science, technology, and public policy.
Hertz Fellows Showcase
Distinct from keynote speakers, the Fellow Showcase is a signature feature of the summer workshop, offering an inside look at the groundbreaking work of Hertz Fellows themselves. These sessions highlight Fellows’ research and its tangible, real-world impact—from advancing brain-mapping techniques, to understanding carbon cycling in a changing climate, to exploring astrophysical phenomena, and innovating new approaches in genetics.
Beyond formal presentations, the summer workshop emphasized hands-on collaboration, interactive learning, and the value of unstructured time. Guests engaged in engineering challenges, small-group sessions, and partner-led workshops, while also enjoying impromptu hikes, conversations, and local activities, strengthening both ideas and relationships across the community.
A Spirit of Volunteerism
A spirit of volunteerism was woven throughout the weekend, as many Fellows stepped forward to volunteer their time, expertise, and leadership to advance the Foundation’s mission. This ethos was embodied by Ruby Lai, who received the Raymond Sidney Volunteer Leadership Prize for her outstanding service to the Hertz community. The prize was established in honor of Hertz Fellow Ray Sidney, who originally conceptualized the Summer Workshop and was in attendance, making the moment a powerful link between the workshop’s origins and its vibrant present. Many other Fellows also contributed their time and energy, including the volunteer Summer Workshop Planning Committee, who helped organize the event and ensure a seamless experience for attendees.
The event also featured remarks by Hertz Fellow Jessica Seeliger, the inaugural recipient of the Robbee Baker Kosak Leadership Prize, awarded to a speaker who embodies transformational leadership and inspires excellence from their community.
The Make History Campaign Launch
In a major step forward, the Foundation announced the MAKE HISTORY campaign, its first-ever capital campaign aimed at raising $40 million to expand the fellowship’s reach and deepen the Hertz community’s impact. The campaign was met with excitement with early gifts totaling $30 million, including several pledged during the workshop itself.
The Saturday evening celebration themed “Let’s Make History Together,” honored the unique value of the Hertz community with remarks from Daniel Slichter, Hertz Fellowship and Programs Council, Ray Sidney, Hertz Foundation Board Member and long-time funder of the Hertz Summer Workshop, Philip Welkhoff, Hertz Foundation Senior Fellowship Interviewer, and Jessica Seeliger, inaugural Robbee Kosak Leadership Prize recipient. A special highlight was 2019 Hertz Fellow Jordan Chetty’s Hertz Fund matching challenge, designed to spark in-school and early-career giving.
Partnering for Impact
New strategic collaborations and partnerships added new perspectives, expertise, and opportunity to this year’s programming. This year, representatives from Breakthrough Energy, ARPA-H, and Jane Street led interactive sessions that challenged Fellows to tackle real-world problems in climate, health, and organizational culture, translating cutting-edge ideas into actionable insights.
Partners consistently share that the workshop provides them with a rare opportunity to engage directly with Fellows’ ideas, learn from their expertise, and join in the spirit of collaboration and problem solving that defines the Hertz community.
“The partnership between the Hertz Foundation and Breakthrough Energy was especially timely, since access to private capital is more important than ever to advancing green technology.
Tom Dean
Research Scientist, Breakthrough Energy
2011 Hertz Fellow
Fellows also feel the impact of these interactions.
“Having access to very motivated and interesting and smart people from so many different domains and stages of the career has been so valuable to me.
Sarah Hooper
Research Scientist, National Institutes of Health
2018 Hertz Fellow
Looking Ahead
As the MAKE HISTORY campaign gains momentum, the spirit of the 2025 Summer Workshop will continue to energize the community, amplify our collective impact, and position Hertz Fellows to take on the greatest challenges of our time. As Chris Loose, Hertz Fellow and Foundation Board Member, reflected:
“I think the Hertz Foundation is executing a critical mission and aligning people and empowering people to address the biggest challenges in the country.
Chris Loose
Co-founder and CEO, Progentos Therapeutics
2003 Hertz Fellow
That mindset—and the community that sustains it—will continue to drive bold ideas into real-world impact. We look forward to gathering with Fellows and supporters throughout the year at events nationwide, culminating at the 2026 Summer Workshop, July 9–12, 2026 in St. Charles, Illinois, where we will continue building on the connections made, partnerships forged and inspiration sparked in Colorado Springs.
