Atlanta, June 17, 2026 — Georgia Institute of Technology President Ángel Cabrera will step down later this year after being selected as the next president and chief executive officer of the Aspen Institute, one of the nation's leading nonprofit organizations focused on leadership and public policy.
Cabrera, who has led Georgia Tech since 2019, will remain in his role through November before assuming leadership of the Aspen Institute. The appointment was announced June 15 by the Aspen Institute Board of Trustees.
A Georgia Tech alumnus, Cabrera earned both his master's degree and doctorate from the university before returning to serve as its 12th president. During his tenure, Georgia Tech experienced significant growth in enrollment, research funding and national prominence.
Under Cabrera's leadership, Georgia Tech expanded enrollment to more than 56,000 students and achieved record levels of sponsored research. University officials credit him with strengthening Georgia Tech's position as one of the nation's leading public research universities and advancing its role in innovation, technology and economic development.
“Georgia Tech transformed my life, first as a student and later as president,” Cabrera said in a statement announcing his departure.
The Aspen Institute, founded in 1949 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., convenes leaders from business, government, education and nonprofit sectors to address major social, economic and global challenges. Cabrera has been involved with the organization for years, including as a Henry Crown Fellow.
Aspen Institute Board Chair Margot Pritzker said Cabrera's experience in higher education, international leadership and civic engagement made him the unanimous choice to lead the organization.
Cabrera's departure marks a significant leadership transition for Georgia Tech and the state's higher education community. The University System of Georgia is expected to begin a national search for his successor.
Beyond academia, Cabrera has been a strong advocate for Georgia's economic development efforts, helping strengthen partnerships between Georgia Tech and global industries in advanced manufacturing, technology, aerospace and innovation.
No successor has been announced.
