Latest Interviews
Showing 556–570 of 1,442 transcripts.
Clear all filters- Milken Institute25 min
Mic'd Up - Part 1: Public Health Response to Coronavirus
This expert panel discusses the emerging COVID-19 outbreak, noting its official WHO naming to prevent stigmatization, approximately 45,000 confirmed cases primarily in China, and the critical lack of international access due to data transparency concerns. Speakers analyze divergent future scenarios ranging from endemic circulation to a global pandemic with a 2% fatality rate, while critiquing delayed WHO leadership and insufficient vaccine development timelines that may exceed a year. The discussion further addresses necessary public health strategies, including social distancing over universal masking, the economic risks of draconian travel restrictions, and the urgent need for rapid diagnostic deployment amid funding cycles that previously hampered preparedness.
- Milken Institute44 min
Lunch Program - Part 2: The New Age of Consumerism
Hadley Gamble, Mohammed Alshaya, Mike Novogratz, Dan Murphy, Mohamed Alshayer
At the Milken Institute Middle Eastern Africa Summit, moderated by CNBC's Dan Murphy, Alshaya Group Executive Chairman Mohamed Alshayer and Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz discussed the strategic evolution of the modern consumer market. They highlighted how brands must pivot toward experiential value, digital integration, and authentic storytelling to capture the loyalty of Millennials and Gen Z, citing Alshaya's aggressive five-year, $5 billion investment plan in Saudi Arabia as a primary example of regional expansion. The dialogue further explored the rising influence of celebrity-driven viral marketing and the accelerating institutional acceptance of cryptocurrency, with both leaders advocating for adaptive business models that embrace ESG principles and technological innovation.
- Milken Institute38 min
Lunch Program - Part 1: Well Being in the Digital Era
Deepak Chopra, Paris Hilton, Louise Tabbiner
Milken Institute CEO Michael Clowden hosted a dialogue between physician Deepak Chopra and Paris Hilton that examined the intersection of personal storytelling, social media archetypes, and modern well-being. The conversation explored how Hilton leveraged her television persona to build a multi-billion dollar empire while Chopra advocated for a philosophy of success rooted in inner purpose rather than traditional ambition. The session concluded with Chopra guiding the audience through a meditation framework designed to enhance self-awareness and manage stress through specific breathing techniques and reflective inquiry.
- Milken Institute59 min
Venture Capital: The Rise of the Rest
Fahad AlSharekh, Ibrahim Ajami, Avi Eyal, Sarah Kunst, Jack Selby, Pule Taukobong
Leading venture capitalists from the Middle East and Africa, including representatives from Mubadala, Entree Capital, and Teal Capital, discuss a surge in regional capital inflows and the shift toward deep-tech sectors like AI and semiconductors. Despite persistent talent shortages and infrastructure gaps, panelists identify emerging local funds as critical gatekeepers that will validate startups before attracting tier-one international follow-on capital. Strategic partnerships are forming to foster founder-centric cultures and build indigenous expertise, positioning these frontier markets for potential growth that may soon outpace traditional U.S. and European hubs.
- Milken Institute54 min
The Future of Banking
Dan Murphy, Elissar Farah Antonios, Steve Jacobs, Sunil Kaushal
Industry experts at the "Future of Banking" summit concluded that traditional financial institutions must integrate with fintechs and Big Tech rivals to survive a shift from product silos to data-driven platforms. Case studies from BTG Pactual and Citi illustrated how strategies like tokenization, internal innovation challenges, and leadership exposure to tech hubs can drive market growth and cultural agility. Despite these disruptions, the event emphasized that incumbent banks retain a significant valuation advantage over digital-native competitors while navigating regulatory hurdles and the need for massive cybersecurity investment.
- Milken Institute1h 11m
Morning Program - Opportunity in the Middle East: A Road Less Traveled
Michael Clowden, John Riccolta, Mina al-Arabi, Khaled El-Romehi, Mohamed El-Ardi, Abdullah Zamil
At the Milken Institute MIA Summit in Abu Dhabi, regional leaders and experts from the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia outlined a collective strategic pivot from hydrocarbon dependence toward diversified, knowledge-based economies driven by demographic youth bulges and technological innovation. Key speakers highlighted specific success models, such as Bahrain's telecommunications deregulation and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiatives like NEOM, while emphasizing the critical need for robust intellectual property laws and regulatory frameworks to attract foreign direct investment. The discussions concluded that navigating fiscal constraints and geopolitical volatility requires governments to transition from primary employers to regulators, fostering private sector competition to absorb the growing workforce and achieve long-term stability.
- Milken Institute56 min
A Conversation with Leon Black
Founded by Leon Black three decades ago, Apollo Global Management now directs $350 billion in assets across 18 global offices using a diversified "fund for all seasons" strategy that spans private equity, private credit, insurance, and real assets. The firm distinguishes itself by targeting an average acquisition multiple of 6x EBITDA and prioritizing complexity arbitrage in corporate carve-outs and distressed scenarios, while shifting 80% of capital into long-duration structures to mitigate fundraising pressure. Facing a market where public valuations discourage long-term planning, Apollo is actively deploying capital into public-to-private transactions and emerging sectors like aviation finance with the goal of generating 8–10% returns in credit platforms over the coming years.
- Milken Institute56 min
Shifting Tides: A Macroeconomic Outlook
John Defterios, Virginie Afota, Roxanne Davies, Robert A. Gillam, Michael Metcalfe, Alireza Zaimi, Rob, Virginia, Ella Reyes, Brigitte
This macroeconomic forum analyzed how central bank liquidity and media narratives are currently driving asset rallies while emerging markets like China face GDP contraction from trade tensions and viral shocks. Experts contrasted these short-term credit risks with long-term structural themes, including a projected 20% global population growth and the strategic evolution of sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East toward diversified infrastructure and ESG integration. The panel concluded that despite volatile oil prices and inflation concerns, institutional investors are increasingly shifting from tactical trading to decade-long horizons focused on demographic shifts, technological disruption, and sustainable resource allocation in Asia and emerging economies.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
Is Crypto Finally Growing Up?
Staci Warden, Michael Gronager, Navin Gupta, George Kikvadze, Simon Seojoon Kim, Mike Novogratz
Moderated by Stacey Worden, a panel of industry leaders including Mike Novogratz and George Kikvadze confirmed the cryptocurrency sector's evolution from a speculative frontier to a regulated, institutional-grade asset class. The discussion highlighted Bitcoin's role as a macro hedge against fiat debasement while outlining how enterprise solutions like Ripple are driving mass adoption in Asia and how blockchain traceability effectively combats illicit finance. Looking ahead, the group projected that infrastructure maturation over the next five years will trigger a global economic transformation comparable to the post-1999 internet boom, with billions of users entering the ecosystem through decentralized finance and device-to-device interactions.
- Milken Institute23 min
A Conversation with Paul Ryan
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan outlines a legislative agenda for a potential second Trump term focused on extending tax cuts, reforming healthcare, and modernizing infrastructure while navigating a consensus on technological decoupling with China. He attributes the 2017–2018 surge in bipartisan output to the administration's deregulatory approach and projects continued economic growth despite ongoing trade uncertainties. Ryan, now a university professor and policy founder, argues that economic stagnation drives current political polarization and warns against the erosion of meritocracy in favor of identity-based politics.
- Milken Institute50 min
Life After Sport - What Do Elite Atheltes Do Next?
Sarah Sandler, Khaled Al-Mahri, Didier Drogba, Clarence Seedorf, Vladimir Kilichkov
Hosted by the Milken Institute in Abu Dhabi, an all-star panel featuring Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Clarence Seedorf, and Vladimir Kilichkov discussed strategic transitions from elite athletics to sustainable business and leadership roles under the moderation of Khaled Al-Mahri. The distinguished athletes shared specific insights on mental resilience, injury prevention, and long-term planning, while highlighting critical gaps in African football infrastructure and the broader socio-political power of the sport. Their collective dialogue emphasized that enduring success in both sports and commerce requires a foundational philosophy of "Challenge Management," coordinated efforts among strategic partners, and a shift toward proactive, future-oriented governance.
- Milken Institute59 min
Private Equity: A Continuing Evolution of Capital Access
Glen August, Nazim Azimbaev, Maggie Finari, Ray Thorne, Andrew Weinberg, Mark O'Lean
Leading institutional investors including Glen August of Oak Hill Advisors and Maggie Finari of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan convened to debate strategies for securing 20% net returns in a private market increasingly constrained by 11–12% historical averages. The panelists outlined divergent approaches ranging from Ray Thorne's asset-intensive company building to Andrew Weinberg's focus on the middle-market family business wealth transfer, all while integrating ESG principles and data science to hedge against technological disruption. Despite optimistic targets, the group emphasized that geopolitical tensions, potential policy shifts, and the inevitable credit cycle downturn necessitate strict covenant protections and selective operational value-add to sustain performance.
- Milken Institute57 min
Being the Disruptor, Not the Disrupted
Dana Hamilton, Joe Sitz, Jonathan, Hussein
Real estate leaders are being compelled to disrupt traditional models by aligning capital with megatrends in technology, demographics, and flexible workspaces to navigate the volatility of global gateway cities. Industry players like the Kean Group and Pretium are pivoting toward data-driven value creation, shifting from vanilla office assets to specialized logistics, biotech, and experiential wellness environments that cater to the "time-poor" consumer. While aggressive digital transformation and strategic brand licensing offer competitive advantages, successful execution now demands resilient funding structures capable of withstanding black swan events and rapidly adapting to regulatory lag.
- Milken Institute37 min
Opening Plenary - Part 2: Global Overview
Waleed Al Muhairi, Adam Boehler, Raymond Dalio, Dina Powell McCormick, John, Haldun al-Mubarak
The event analyzes escalating global economic headwinds driven by geopolitical tensions and the coronavirus outbreak while detailing how major institutional investors like Mubadala adjust their portfolios toward cash-flow robust assets amidst shifting monetary policies. Simultaneously, the discussion highlights the strategic maneuvering of entities such as the DFC to counter Chinese influence in emerging markets and addresses the urgent need for economic diversification in the Middle East to mitigate youth unemployment risks. Experts emphasize that long-term success now depends on integrating ESG principles and accelerating the transition away from hydrocarbon dependency before fiscal stability is compromised by resource depletion.
- Milken Institute47 min
Wednesday Lunch: Walking the Drug-Pricing Tightrope
Dan Diamond, Dan Leonard, Seema Verma, Matt Iles, Mark McClellan
Moderated by Dan Diamond, the Milken Institute's Future of Health Summit panel "Walking the Drug Pricing Tightrope" featured Seema Verma, Matt Iles, and Mark McClellan debating the tension between innovation and affordability amidst record-breaking drug costs. While the group reached consensus on shifting to value-based payment models to address unsustainable spending in Part B and high-cost curative therapies, they diverged on whether government negotiation or private sector competition offers the most effective solution for lowering prices without stifling future research. With Nancy Pelosi absent, the panelists emphasized that any viable legislative path must satisfy strict bipartisanship requirements to avoid jeopardizing patient access or long-term drug development pipelines.