United States

Smoke billows over Los Angeles as wildfires burn in the nearby hills, with dense orange and gray plumes rising behind the city skyline and palm trees in the foreground.
Insights

After the Fires, the Fires Still Burn

On January 7, 2025, the Los Angeles metropolitan area experienced something unprecedented in modern American history. Two simultaneous urban fires broke out in Los Angeles County, fueled by a nine-month drought and hurricane-strength winds...
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Kevin Klowden

Executive Director, Milken Institute Finance
Kevin Klowden is the executive director of Milken Institute Finance. He specializes in the study of key factors that underlie the development of competitive regional economies (clusters of innovation, patterns of trade and investment, and concentration of skilled labor) and how these are influenced by public policy and, in turn, affect regional economies both globally and nationally.
Comment Letter

Prescription Drug User Fee Act VIII (PDUFA)

FasterCures at the Milken Institute is honored to provide our response to the Reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act; Public Meeting; Request for Comments [FDA–2025–N–0816]. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, the Milken...
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Esther Krofah

Executive Vice President, Milken Institute Health
Esther Krofah is the executive vice president of Milken Institute Health, leading FasterCures, Public Health, the Future of Aging, and Feeding Change. She has extensive experience managing efforts to unite diverse stakeholders to solve critical issues and achieve shared goals that improve patients’ lives.
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Insights

The Cost of Policy Uncertainty

Launching and running a small business or startup is as much about managing risk as it is about bringing a great idea to market. Whether you’re opening a small-town bakery or launching a biotech startup, entrepreneurship requires a strong...
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Kristen Fanarakis

Associate Director, Small Business Policy and Innovation
Kristen Fanarakis leads the small business policy, entrepreneurship, and innovation initiative within the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar. She focuses on the macroeconomic and systemic trends affecting American small businesses and startups, and the implications for the economy and innovation.
A wide view of Los Angeles with dark smoke billowing from wildfires in the distance, rising behind downtown buildings and palm trees. The sky is streaked with orange and gray, emphasizing the scale of the disaster. The image reflects the urgency and impact of wildfire recovery efforts in the city.
Insights

Rebuilding After the Los Angeles Wildfires: Philanthropy’s Ongoing Role in Recovery

In January 2025, tens of thousands lost their homes, businesses, schools, and other essential community places to devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County. Months later, individuals and families continue to feel the traumatic impacts of...
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Kellen Silver

Senior Associate, Environmental and Social Innovation team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Kellen Silver is a senior associate on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. In this role, he supports research and programming related to gun violence prevention and economic prosperity in the United States.
Comment Letter

Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation To Make America Healthy Again

The FasterCures team at the Milken Institute is honored to provide its expert response to the Request for Information regarding Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation to Make America Healthy Again, as part of the President’s...
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A smiling dark-skinned female-presenting individual with black hair wearing a black shirt and a pearl necklace against a dark gray gradient background

Esther Krofah

Executive Vice President, Milken Institute Health
Esther Krofah is the executive vice president of Milken Institute Health, leading FasterCures, Public Health, the Future of Aging, and Feeding Change. She has extensive experience managing efforts to unite diverse stakeholders to solve critical issues and achieve shared goals that improve patients’ lives.
News Release

Milken Institute Statement on Final Passage of the Reconciliation Bill

“The Milken Institute commends the creation of Trump Accounts, previously known as Invest America Accounts, and the expansion of Opportunity Zones included in the final passage of the reconciliation package. These key provisions will...
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Michael Piwowar, PhD

Executive Vice President, Milken Institute Finance
Michael S. Piwowar, PhD, is the executive vice president of Milken Institute Finance. Piwowar served as a commissioner at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from August 15, 2013, to July 6, 2018.
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