Maressa Brennan is a director of innovative finance at the Milken Institute. She contributes to the research, development, execution, and follow-up of the Institute’s Financial Innovations Labs, which address market failures and funding gaps within social or environmental issues. During Brennan’s time at the Institute, she has worked on projects to direct capital to help the economy transition to be more environmentally sustainable, streamline the green and sustainable bond market for municipal issuers, and accelerate affordable housing development. Before joining the Milken Institute, Brennan worked at Mark Asset Management, a boutique hedge fund in New York, and Russell Investments on the hedge fund research team. Brennan graduated from George Washington University with a BA in international affairs. She is currently pursuing an MS in sustainability management from Columbia University.