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Milken Institute Finance
The Milken Institute Finance pillar addresses challenges across the financial system to increase access to capital, savings, and investments, particularly for underserved individuals, businesses, and communities. Our thought leadership, research, and insights influence private sector practices and public sector policies that improve equitable access, efficiency, and reliability of financial markets and institutions.
Finance Pillar Highlight
Insights
Bridging the Affordable Senior Housing Gap for the ‘Forgotten Middle’: An Investment Opportunity
As the older adult population rises, affordable housing for middle-income seniors becomes critical. Caught between government aid thresholds and luxury pricing, millions face limited options. Explore how innovative financing and care models can create sustainable, accessible solutions. Read the full article to learn more.
Finance Portfolios
We work within six portfolio areas: 10,000 Communities; Financial Innovations Labs; FinTech and Innovation; Geo-Economics, Climate Resilience, and Innovation; Inclusive Capitalism; and Lifetime Financial Security.
Featured Thought Leadership
Stories from the Field: Chumz
My name is Samuel Njuguna, and I'm passionate about eradicating poverty through two key pillars: financial inclusion and education. I have a background in computer science and currently serve as the CEO and cofounder of Moneto Ventures LTD.Read Article
Stories from the Field: Verto
Our company, Verto, was founded by Ola Oyetayo, chief executive officer, and Anthony Oduu, chief technology and product officer. Both began their careers in finance and then decided to become entrepreneurs.Read Article
Stories from the Field: Oze
The story of Oze starts in the Peace Corps. I, Meghan McCormick, served as a community economic development advisor in Guinea, while my cofounder served in Benin. We saw firsthand how these business owners had to navigate complex...Read Article
How Syndicated Crowdfunding Can Be Leveraged for Direct Community Investment
In Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, as George Bailey tries to prevent a run on the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan, the audience receives a lesson in community banking and the economic multiplier effect. Customers deposit their...Read ArticleImage
Kristen Fanarakis
Associate Director, Small Business Policy and InnovationKristen Fanarakis is an associate director at MI Finance, leading the small business policy and innovation initiative. The Milken Institute Small Business Policy and Innovation Initiative analyzes the macroeconomic trends and policies affecting small businesses and offers policy recommendations and solutions aimed at fostering an environment of inclusive prosperity. Her work engages and educates policy stakeholders to address the challenges small businesses face.
Fostering Productive Dialogue Is in Our DNA
In my travels around the world since the last Global Conference, I’ve seen the mood pendulum swing from tentative optimism to trepidation about what comes next. The geopolitical, economic, and emotional headwinds that confront each of us...Read EssayImage
Richard Ditizio
CEO, Milken InstituteRichard Ditizio is the CEO of the Milken Institute, responsible for all pillars and departments across the organization's global footprint. Under his leadership, the Institute expanded its staff and programmatic work to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
The Philosophical Difference of Diversification
“Keep calm and carry on” was a slogan coined in Britain in 1939 in the face of the oncoming war. As the world grapples with paradigm-shifting policies, technological advancements, and economic divergence, now feels an appropriate moment to...Read Essay
AI and the Future of the American Dream
The American Dream—the idea that every person has the freedom and opportunity to attain a better life—has been a cornerstone of the American ethos for over a century. This dream encompasses affordable housing and health care, accessible...Read Essay
Driving Corporate Renewal Through Restructuring in a New Era of Volatility
The US corporate landscape is facing a difficult period, likely characterized by financial distress and a wave of corporate restructurings. Many companies are struggling with persistent cash flow problems, mounting debt, and dwindling...Read Essay
How Innovations in Public and Private Credit Markets Can Help Companies Flourish
The inventor Charles Kettering famously said, “Our imagination is the only limit to what we can hope to have in the future.” His words still reflect the spirit of innovation, but in today’s marketplace, it is also important to think about...Read Essay
The Expanding Reach of Quantitative Thinking: A Global Imperative
In today's data-driven world, a quantitative mindset may be essential across industries. The scale of global data growth is staggering: from 12.5 zettabytes in 2014 to 149 zettabytes in 2024, with projections reaching 394 zettabytes by 2028...Read Essay
Our Afternoon with Gloria Steinem
The Lifetime Financial Security Program was pleased and honored to be invited to lead a private Talking Circle with feminist icon Gloria Steinem at her home in New York City during International Women’s Month in March to discuss the...Read ArticleImage
Cheryl L. Evans, JD
Director, Lifetime Financial Security, Milken Institute FinanceCheryl L. Evans, JD, leads the Lifetime Financial Security (LFS) Program of the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She frequently discusses a variety of issues related to financial security and retirement savings and has been cited in publications such as US News and World Report, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg News, MarketWatch, CBS News, Pensions & Investments, McKnight’s Senior Living, and TheStreet.World Leaders Join Prominent Experts in Business, Health, and Philanthropy to Discuss Pressing Global Issues at Milken Institute 2025 Global Conference
Los Angeles, CA (April 10, 2025 )—T he Milken Institute today announced its initial speakers and program agenda for the 2025 Global Conference , taking place May 4–7 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Featuring more than 150 public...Read ArticleImage
Chad Clinton
Director, Media RelationsChad Clinton is the director of media relations for the Milken Institute. Hired to this role in August 2021, Clinton develops and executes strategies to amplify the Institute’s core messages by generating coverage of its pillar workstreams, experts, and events.
