Melissa Stevens is executive vice president of philanthropy at the Milken Institute, leading its work with individual and family philanthropists and foundations seeking to deploy resources to make a transformative, sustainable impact. Since co-founding the Center for Strategic Philanthropy in 2015, she has overseen the creation and execution of strategies that have influenced $1.7 billion in philanthropic capital and managed the development of programs and organizations, including the Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest private funder of melanoma research. Under her leadership, MI Philanthropy has more than tripled in size, expanding its areas of expertise to include education and environmental conservation philanthropy, as well as health and medical research. Previously, Stevens was the deputy executive director of the Milken Institute’s FasterCures center, leading its growth and expanding its programmatic scope to include the development of a novel financing mechanism for early-stage drug development and building a global resource for large-scale, cross-sector collaboration. She also directed FasterCures’ Philanthropic Advisory Service, which aimed to deploy philanthropic capital effectively to advance medical solutions. This ultimately led to the creation of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy. Prior to joining the Institute, Stevens worked in the health sciences practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, advising commercial and federal clients such as the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. Stevens received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and an MBA from the Pennsylvania State University. She is based at the Institute's Washington, DC office.
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Centers and Practice Areas
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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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