Michael S. Piwowar, PhD, is the executive vice president of Milken Institute Finance. Piwowar served as a commissioner at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from August 15, 2013, to July 6, 2018.

Ambassador Karen Kornbluh served as ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, sitting on the governing board of the economic multilateral institution in Paris, where she spearheaded the first global Internet Policymaking Principles, led the effort to expand the organization’s membership, and launched the OECD Gender Initiative. Kornbluh previously served as deputy chief of staff at the Treasury Department and director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Federal Communications Commission. She was policy director for Senator Barack Obama and the author of his 2008 platform.

Caitlin MacLean is a managing director on the innovative finance team at the Milken Institute. She oversees the research, development, execution, and follow-up of our Financial Innovations Labs, which promote financial solutions to overcome economic and social challenges.

Kanika Singh is director of innovative finance at the Milken Institute. She is responsible for executing the Institute's signature research projects, the Financial Innovations Labs, with a specific focus on the market failures and financing gaps in climate solutions.

Mairead Treanor is a senior associate of finance at the Milken Institute. Treanor works on the Institute’s Lifetime Financial Security Program, which focuses on innovative ways to make access to retirement savings possible for everyone.

Nicole Valentine is the FinTech Director of the Milken Institute’s Finance pillar with over a decade of financial services, international Mergers & Acquisitions, technology, and innovation experience. As the FinTech Director, Nicole explores market innovation and developments, analyzes alternative regulatory approaches, and offers policy recommendations to facilitate FinTech’s responsible development.

David Bohigian is an impact investor with extensive experience in investment, management, government and international development. He manages Pluribus Ventures, an impact fund of funds, with private investments in affordable housing, clean energy, online education, financial services, healthcare research and Veterans.

Cheryl L. Evans is a director leading the lifetime financial security program with Milken Institute Finance. She is an attorney with experience in the securities, capital markets, and asset management spaces.

Kristen Fanarakis is an associate director at MI Finance, 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.

Maxwell DeGregorio is a senior associate at MI Finance at the Milken Institute. DeGregorio works on the Institute’s FinTech Program, which focuses on access to capital, financial inclusion, compliance, and transparency. He writes the “FinTech in Focus” newsletter and co-programs the Institute’s FinTech content.