A Decade
of Impact
Join us as we work to tackle society’s deepest challenges
Over the last decade, the Milken Institute's Strategic Philanthropy team has guided individuals, foundations, and corporations looking to invest their resources to advance science, innovation, and thriving communities. Now, in the face of rapid change, philanthropic and social impact leaders are being called to redefine and rethink how we move capital to deliver real, sustainable impact. We’re looking for leaders like you to join us in accelerating new solutions for a better future.
Work with us to build a better future.
Take Your Giving to the Next Level
Driving Impact Since 2015
Shape What’s Next
Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy creates opportunities for high-impact philanthropists and other stakeholders to come together, learn from and with each other, and take action. Work with us to take your ideas to impact.
Our Leaders
Melissa StevensExecutive Vice President, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
As the Executive Vice President, Melissa works closely with individual philanthropists, families, and foundations looking to leverage their time, talents, and capital for transformative and sustainable change. As one of the original founders of the Strategic Philanthropy pillar, Melissa has led the creation and execution of groundbreaking philanthropic strategies for the Milken Institute across health, climate, social impact, and more.
Under her leadership, the Strategic Philanthropy portfolio has tripled in size, influencing more than $3 billion in philanthropic capital. As Executive Vice President, Melissa oversees the three portfolio areas across Strategic Philanthropy: Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC), Environmental and Social Innovation (ESI), and the Philanthropy Leadership Collective (PLC).
As the co-founder of the Strategic Philanthropy group, Melissa pioneered the development of the PLC: a peer community of philanthropic funders and leaders working together to foster learning, sustain peer connections, and inspire collaboration to amplify collective impact.
Cara Altimus, PhDManaging Director, Science Research Accelerator for Philanthropy and Collaboration
Cara Altimus, PhD is Managing Director at Milken Strategic Philanthropy, where she leads the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration. Cara and her team lead the way in advising science funders, helping them to navigate complex ecosystems to understand where funding is critically needed, and matching that need to help funders reach their goals. As a neuroscientist, Cara possesses the depth of expertise required for impactful, scientific research, combined with a clear understanding of what the ecosystem needs and a commitment to accelerate cross-functional collaboration. Cara also serves as Managing Director of Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD2), the largest collaboratively funded nonprofit for bipolar disorder, created by the Milken Institute.
Cara’s passion and dedication for science funding – driven by rigor, patient insights, and the need for open science – is unmatched. Prior to joining the Institute, Altimus worked at the Food and Drug Administration leading the Neural Interfaces Laboratory and received her PhD from Johns Hopkins University.
Emily Musil, PhDManaging Director, Environmental and Social Innovation
Emily Musil, PhD, is Managing Director at Milken Strategic Philanthropy, where she leads the Social Innovation portfolio. An expert in future-focused, high-impact engagement and programming, Emily and her team create strategies for expansive and effective giving, and design and operate programs using a range of tools focused on innovation and impact. Under her leadership, she has built the Milken Institute Prize & Award Program, and has created wide- ranging programming including mobilizing and supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs working on FinTech in emerging economies, and cross-sector workshops to design new solutions to create thriving communities in the US.Emily is passionate about bridging liberal arts and technology to prepare lifelong learners with the skills they need for the future. After spending over a decade in academia as a college professor, she joined the XPRIZE Foundation and led the education and human equity domain.
