MI Philanthropy

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Smiling female-presenting person of color with dark hair named Ishita Das wearing a red shirt and a blue blazer against an ambiguous outdoor background.

Ishita Das, PhD

Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
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.
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A smiling light-skinned female-presenting person named Chelsea Wendel with red hair wearing a brown cheetah print shirt against a blurred background.

Chelsea Wendel

Associate Director, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
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.
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Light-skinned male-presenting person with dark hair wearing a black jacket with white button-up shirt in front of a light gray background

John Schellhase

Director, Environmental and Social Innovation team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
John Schellhase is a director on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, where his work focuses on social impact philanthropy. As part of his work, Schellhase contributes to and manages projects related to strengthening corporate philanthropy and operating innovation competitions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Light-skinned female-presenting person named Caitlyn Barrett with light hair in a yellow jacket and black shirt with gray gradient background

Caitlyn Barrett, PhD

Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
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.
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Smiling, female-presenting individual with blonde hair in a dark suit in front of a gray background

Heather Haines

Director, Convening and Engagement, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Heather Haines is director of convening and engagement with Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. She joined the Institute from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, where she oversaw global events.
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A smiling dark-skinned man named Quinton Banks with short dark braided hair, wearing glasses and a navy blue patterned dress shirt, and standing in a room with dark wood details.

Quinton Banks, PhD

Associate Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Quinton Banks,PhD, is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. His extensive scientific background includes research into chronic pain, taste perception, and muscle physiology.
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Smiling female-presenting person with a gray jacket and blue top against a blurred background

Hilary McConnaughey Page

Director, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Hilary McConnaughey Page is a director at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. She has spent more than a decade of her career in philanthropy, counseling institutional foundations, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals on their social impact endeavors.
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A smiling female-presenting person named Veronica Beck with shoulder-length brown hair and white skin against a blurred background, wearing a black shirt.

Veronica Beck

Associate Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Veronica Beck is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. She uses her expertise to identify and implement innovative biomedical research ideas, partnering with philanthropists and key field leaders to ensure promising research projects receive the necessary support to become impactful therapies.