MI Philanthropy

Melissa Stevens is the executive vice president of Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, leading its work with individual and family philanthropists and foundations seeking to make a transformative, sustainable impact. Since co-founding Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy in 2015, she has overseen the creation and execution of philanthropic strategies that have influenced more than $3 billion in capital and built an unmatched network for donors to collaborate and amplify their impact.

Aggie McMahon Stephens, MSc, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. With a background in clinical neuroscience, she specializes in science philanthropy, research sector development, and global collaborations that maximize the impact of investments in science.

Kara Whelply is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. She leverages her expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, philanthropic funding, and therapeutic development to advise individual philanthropists and nonprofit organizations on methods to advance their mission and accelerate the development of treatments.

Adoma Addo is a senior associate on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. With her passion for innovation and sustainable development in emerging markets, she supports work on the Institute’s innovation competitions.

Nadia Penrod,PhD, is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. In this role, she leverages her expertise as an interdisciplinary scientist in biomedicine and informatics to identify high-impact opportunities for philanthropic investment that promote science for the public good and have the potential to transform health.

Sylvie Raver is a senior director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Raver applies her expertise in neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease, mental health, and biomedical research to identify opportunities for philanthropic investments that can have a transformative impact on medical research and health.

Ishita Das, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, where she leads cross-disciplinary projects. Her expertise lies in biomedical research, science policy, stakeholder engagement, workforce diversity, strategic planning, and project management.

Chelsea Wendel is an associate director at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Her work is primarily focused on managing the logistics, details and travel coordination across the pillar's broad portfolio of events.

John Schellhase is a director of Strategic Philanthropy at the Milken Institute. He contributes to and manages projects related to strengthening corporate philanthropy, including overseeing the Institute’s Corporate Philanthropy Leadership Collective.

Caitlyn Barrett, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Her scientific expertise in cancer biology and neurodegeneration in addition to her experience in grant and program management, stakeholder engagement, and program analysis are brought to bear as she partners with philanthropists to maximize their impact on the biomedical ecosystem.