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Gaining a Foothold in Russia
Sean Glodek, Steven Hellman, Paul Heth, Mark Stiles, Alexander Kovaler, Alex Covalar
Moderated by Alex Covalar, a panel of four expatriate experts with over a century of combined Russian experience analyzes the nation's transformation from a resource-dependent economy into a consumer-services powerhouse. The discussion highlights specific success stories in cinema and real estate while detailing the Russian Direct Investment Fund's strategy to co-invest with sovereign wealth entities and mitigate geopolitical risks through transparency. Participants project Russia to become Europe's largest economy by 2020, driven by a growing middle class, structural reforms, and strategic shifts toward technology, healthcare, and light manufacturing.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Indonesia: The Emerging Secret
Robert Gelbard, Luhut Panjaitan, Patrick Buluyo, Dino Jalal, Ahmad Korniati
Former Ambassador Robert Gelbard moderated a panel confirming Indonesia's successful transition into a stable, third-largest democracy with a 6.5% annual economic growth rate driven by a domestic consumption-based model and a booming middle class. While the upcoming 2014 elections and structural hurdles like corruption and human capital gaps present risks, the government's aggressive pursuit of downstream industries and streamlined investment processes signal a maturing market ready for foreign capital. Experts advise investors to navigate complex local regulations through trusted partners while anticipating a shift from export-focused nationalism to a more open, pluralistic economic framework.
- Milken Institute1h 4m
A Matter of Degrees: How Education Enriches Us All
Ernest Wilson, Ross Duvall, Greg, Governor, Farah Doon, Udita Srimushnam, Brooke Allen, Noah
The panel "A Matter of Degrees" convened experts including Dean Ernest Wilson, economist Ross Duvall, and former Governor Gray Davis to address the widening skills gap and financial risks threatening the U.S. higher education system. Participants analyzed data showing declining U.S. educational competitiveness among younger generations and debated transformative solutions such as competency-based credentials, co-op work models, and private-public research partnerships to align academic output with market demands. The discussion concluded with a consensus that without structural reforms prioritizing transparency and employer-defined skills, the sector will fail to mitigate inequality or sustain long-term economic growth.
- Milken Institute1h 7m
Full Circle: Manufacturing Migrates Around the Globe
John Paul MacDonald, Damien Chan, Zachary Caravelle, Ron Kirk, John Manley, Eyal Afair
Panelists including Ron Kirk, Damien Chan, and John Manley dissect the paradox of modern manufacturing, noting that while U.S. output rises through automation, employment share has dropped to 8% and global trade statistics often misrepresent true value creation. The discussion highlights critical challenges such as a severe skills gap in developed nations, the rapid urbanization of China's middle class, and the efficiency threats posed by rising protectionist measures like "Buy America" clauses. Ultimately, the experts agree that future economic resilience depends on shifting national focus from volume-based production to investing in education, intellectual property protection, and high-value R&D ecosystems.
- Milken Institute1h 6m
Pushing the Frontier: How the Space Industry Is Changing the Way We See the World
Gwen Shotwell, Ellen Polakowski, May Jemison, Esther Dyson
The global space sector is undergoing a transformative shift from government dominance to a competitive commercial model driven by private firms like SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace, which are deploying reusable rocket technology and inflatable orbital habitats to reduce costs and expand capabilities. While the industry navigates growing international competition and contested orbital environments, it simultaneously addresses critical challenges such as asteroid defense and interstellar travel through initiatives like the 100-Year Starship project and NASA's evolving public-private partnerships. This transition is fostering a new economic multiplier effect where commercial innovation in satellite services, synthetic biology, and deep-space exploration generates substantial returns for both national security and global environmental monitoring.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Mid-Market Private Equity
Lauren Leichtman, Brian Reynolds, Ted Virtue, Barry Volpert, Kneeland Youngblood, Adam Sokoloff, Nealon Youngblood
Representatives from major private equity firms including Levine Leichman, Chatham Capital, MidOcean Partners, Crestview Partners, and Ferros Capital convened to analyze the evolving middle-market landscape, defining target valuations between $25M and $2.4B enterprise value while highlighting a surge in refinancing activity driven by robust capital markets. The panelists identified significant competitive pressures from mega-funds capable of paying higher multiples, prompting mid-market strategies that leverage operational expertise, extended hold periods, and strategic co-investments to secure net IRRs of 18% to 20%. Despite a market shakeout driven by Limited Partner demands for higher returns and larger commitments, the industry outlook remains positive as firms anticipate continued consolidation and sustained demand for lower-multiple, value-creating acquisitions.
- Milken Institute57 min
A Conversation With Gary Becker, David Rubenstein and Robert Rubin
Gary Becker, David Rubenstein, Robert Rubin, Bob Rubin
Panelists Gary Becker and Bob Rubin argue that the U.S. economy can return to a sustainable 3% growth trajectory by leveraging its energy revolution, real estate recovery, and manufacturing expansion while addressing a structural $10 trillion debt burden through entitlement reform and tax loophole elimination. They attribute current stagnation primarily to political gridlock, advocating for open primaries, nonpartisan civic education, and a market-based immigration system to foster compromise. Despite risks from Federal Reserve quantitative easing and inflation, the experts maintain that the American dollar remains the superior long-term investment vehicle provided the political system functions effectively.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Bridging Gaps in Development Finance: New Platforms for Frontier Markets
Anne Heyman, Netanel Oded, Eytan Stibbe, Tally Zingher, Steve Zecher, Tali Zinger, Andrew Taylor
The Milken Institute Israel Center convened experts to address capital gaps in emerging markets by leveraging Israel's innovation ecosystem as a model for economic development in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Key speakers detailed strategies involving private equity for infrastructure, such as Vital Capital's land-ownership models in Angola, and social innovation frameworks like Anne Heyman's Agahoso Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda. These initiatives collectively advocate for a hybrid approach that combines government R&D subsidies, catalytic philanthropy, and patient private capital to de-risk investments and scale sustainable growth.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Global Models for Financing America's Infrastructure
Dale, Stephen Goldsmith, Sam Barron, William Reed, Sarah Clark, Sean Glodek, Mike, Lawrence Gottlieb
A global infrastructure summit highlights a critical $3 trillion U.S. investment gap and the urgent need to shift from public financing to private capital models like Public-Private Partnerships to meet rising demand. Experts contrast the U.S. lag in social infrastructure financing against international success stories from Canada and Russia, emphasizing how structural tax barriers currently prevent institutional investors from accessing stable, long-term yield opportunities. With 41 new projects in the pipeline and emerging legislative pushes to expand tax-exempt tools, the panel anticipates a surge in availability-payment deals that transfer construction risk to the private sector while addressing a significant mismatch between public financing costs and investor return expectations.
- Milken Institute1h 3m
Innovators on the Front Lines of the Future
Paul Benda, Freda Lewis-Hall, Megan Smith, Peter Diamandis
Following the XPRIZE Visioneering event, a panel of twelve domain experts finalized ten high-impact prize concepts ranging from happiness gamification to rapid vaccine production and global literacy. Key initiatives include Nicolas Negroponte's $15 million literacy challenge, Tony Robbins' behavior-change prize grounded in Martin Seligman's data, and a $5 million diversity-focused X2 Prize funded by Lynn Tilton. These competitions aim to disrupt traditional R&D models by leveraging private funding and regulatory incentives to solve complex global problems like Alzheimer's diagnostics, atmospheric water extraction, and homeland security screening.
- Milken Institute1h 3m
Africa: Opportunities for Business and Investment
Ernest Wilson, Paul Hinks, Jay Ireland, Sam Nuwanzi, Mr. Shankar, Minister Turkpour, Paul Tullis, Mark Kahn
The Milken Institute's inaugural Africa track convened high-profile leaders including Bill Gates and Paul Kagame to address critical sector-specific challenges in power, banking, and infrastructure. Panelists from GE, Standard Chartered, and Symbian Power detailed strategies for navigating complex regulatory landscapes, debunking corruption myths, and shifting investment mindsets to capitalize on the continent's growing consumer market. Discussions highlighted a pivot toward local execution, the rise of competitive financing from BRICS nations, and the necessity of blending indigenous entrepreneurship with structured capital to drive sustainable economic integration.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
The Future of Money: What's in Your Digital Wallet?
Eric Dunn, Paul Galant, Mark Lavelle, Ed McLaughlin, Lauren Lyster
Industry experts analyze the delayed adoption of mobile payments, attributing stagnation to a structural conflict between carriers and card issuers over NFC security elements and the absence of a clear "10x" value proposition for consumers. Panelists debate the future of digital infrastructure, weighing the role of legacy banking trust against modern tokenization while predicting that blockchain efficiency and cashless ecosystems will ultimately drive global financial inclusion despite skepticism toward cryptocurrencies. The consensus suggests that mainstream success relies on regulatory clarity, sustainable business models, and device-agnostic credentials to eventually replace physical currency and empower consumers with superior financial management tools.
- Milken Institute1h 4m
Cash on the Sidelines: How to Unleash $30 Trillion
Alexandra Lebenthal, Mustafa Sagun, Max Stone, James Zelter, Joe Reece
Held at the Milken Institute, a panel of four prominent investment leaders including Mustafa Sagan of Principal Global Investments and Jim Zelter of Apollo Capital Management addressed the dynamics of approximately $30 trillion in idle global capital. The discussion highlighted how corporate tax structures, pension deficits, and low-yield environments are trapping funds in safe assets while alternative lenders increasingly fill the void in small and medium enterprise financing. Panelists unanimously concluded that capital remains constrained by regulatory uncertainty and deflationary fears, predicting a significant shift toward riskier opportunities once yields rise or market volatility stabilizes.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Housing: An Asset Class or a Place to Live?
Scott Garrett, Jeff Greene, Emile Haddad, James Litinsky, Rick Newman, Jim Latinsky
Following a bottom in sales, the housing market has stabilized with prices rising 9% year-over-year, yet experts attribute the current recovery to artificial government support that creates unsustainable low mortgage rates and a heavy reliance on GSE bailouts. A severe shortage of entitled land in high-growth regions combined with massive private and foreign investor activity is constraining supply, while panelists warn that a return to free-market interest rates could collapse the recovery if buyers cannot qualify at 5% or 6%. Although policymakers aim to reform GSE dominance over the next two decades, the consensus remains that the current era of financial repression has mispriced assets and risks a future correction once subsidies are reduced.
- Milken Institute1h 4m
Return on Investment: Beneficiaries Fueling Social Change
James Anderson, Scott Budnick, Eric Dawson, Jacqueline Gonzalez-Reyes, Kirsten Lodal, Malik Voyard, John Rogers Jr.
Moderator John Rogers facilitated a dialogue with leaders from Ariel Investments, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, LIFT Los Angeles, and Peace First to outline strategies for dismantling systemic poverty and recidivism through community-led interventions. Panelists highlighted transformative outcomes such as recidivism rates dropping below 3% for college-enrolled inmates and an $15 million income increase for LIFT families, while critiquing inadequate legal defense and custodial prison cultures that perpetuate inequality. The discussion concluded with a strategic pivot toward "impact investing" and narrative-driven scaling, urging institutional capital to shift from transactional aid to sustainable, human-centered policy reforms.