Blair C. Smith is Senior Director of the Center for Financial Markets at the Milken Institute, with more than 20 years of financial services and capital markets experience. He leads the Center’s Access to Capital and strategic innovative financing initiatives, to enhance economic and social impact. Mr. Smith also leads the Institute's work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Asset Management, as well as Impact Investment including CDFIs, MDIs and Opportunity Zone Funds. Mr. Smith was the Founder and CEO of Promethean AB Strategies LLC, a strategic consultancy focused on helping diverse led Asset Management firms achieve their goals. He is the former Chief Investment Officer for the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). Mr. Smith was also responsible for co-managing a $5.2 billion Emerging Manager investment portfolio, within the State of New York Common Retirement Fund. Earlier in his career, Mr. Smith served for over 10 years as a Relationship Manager with both the Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City Wealth Management teams at various top tier banks.
Mr. Smith was appointed an adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Business. He is on the Board of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, the Baltimore Afro-American Newspapers and the Afro Charities. Mr. Smith received his M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University and a B.S. in Journalism from Morgan State University (an HBCU) where he was a 2 year ROTC scholar.
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Centers and Practice Areas
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Asia Center
Extends the reach and impact of the Milken Institute to the Asia-Pacific region
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Center for Financial Markets
Conducts research and constructs programs designed to facilitate smooth and efficient operation of financial markets
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Center for the Future of Aging
Advances healthy longevity and financial security for all through high-impact policies, research, convenings, and multisector partnerships.
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Center for Public Health
Develops research, programs, and initiatives designed to envision and activate sustainable solutions leading to better health for individuals and communities worldwide.
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Center for Regional Economics and California Center
Analyzes the dynamics that drive job creation and promote industry expansion
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Center for Strategic Philanthropy
Empowers philanthropists to effectively address some of the world's most urgent problems
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FasterCures
Clears roadblocks that prevent medical breakthroughs from reaching patients sooner
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Financial Innovations Labs
Addressing society's greatest challenges through a financial lens
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Global Market Development
Working with government partners in emerging and developing economies to build strong, domestic financial markets.
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Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream
Anyone with a dream should have the opportunity to make it come true—through determination and an economic system that works for all
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Research Department
Addressing global policy issues on Health Economics, International Finance, and Regional Economics
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Government and Policy Engagement
Collaborating across all levels of government to advance finance and health policy priorities that address global challenges.
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