Kristen Fanarakis is an Associate Director of the Milken Institute Finance Pillar leading the small business policy and innovation initiative. The Milken Institute Small Business Policy and Innovation Initiative analyzes the macroeconomic trends and policies affecting small businesses and offers policy recommendations and solutions aimed at fostering an environment of inclusive prosperity. Her work engages and educates policy stakeholders to address the challenges small businesses face. Prior to joining the Milken Institute, Fanarakis helped co-lead the University of Maryland’s Center for Financial Policy a think tank focused on topics at the intersection of financial markets and regulatory policy. While in this role, she also launched her own small business, Senza Tempo, a Los Angeles-made, sustainably-minded women’s luxury apparel brand. As a founder, she regularly wrote, spoke, was quoted in the press on a variety of policy issues facing the apparel industry, advocated for domestic manufacturing, and testified to the California State Senate on behalf of other domestic apparel brands. Prior to this, she spent over a decade working on Wall Street in foreign exchange trading and investment management for such firms as Merrill Lynch and Citibank. She holds a BA in economics and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business. She also holds an MS in international economics from Suffolk University.
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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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