United States

An up close image of a clapperboard which has the words "Hollywood", "Production", "Director", and "Camera". The image is a header image leading to an article from the Milken Institute about the challenges in funding streams and financing facing the entertainment industry.

It’s Not Too Late for a Hollywood Reset

“Hollywood is in trouble.” It is a phrase that has been echoed through the decades—from the scandals of the 1920s to the advent of television in the 1950s, the rise of cable and videocassette recorders in the 1970s and ‘80s, and now, in the...
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Portrait of Kevin Klowden

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.
An abstract illustration of three-dimensional balls connected by lines over an abstract yellow and green background with various circles and lines. The illustration is medical-journal style and leading to an article titled "A Call to Action for Science Funding Solutions at Global Conference 2025".

A Call to Action for Science Funding Solutions at Global Conference 2025

At the Milken Institute’s Global Conference, we saw robust debate about the future of science in the United States. Members of the current administration focused outlined their goals to advance science which included “to achieve and...
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Portrait of Cara Altimus

Cara Altimus, PhD

Managing Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Cara Altimus, PhD is a managing director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, leading the science and health innovation portfolio. A PhD neuroscientist, Altimus advises individual philanthropists and foundations on the state of research for various areas including neurodegenerative disease and mental health, identifying opportunities where their capital can make the biggest impact.
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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...
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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.
Ombre pink and purple circle with varying lines against a dark blue background, indicating the Milken Institute's Global Conference 2025.

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...
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Portrait of Richard Ditizio

Richard Ditizio

CEO, Milken Institute
Richard 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.