Caitlin McLean

Galvanizing Global Growth: Lessons from Milken Institute Financial Innovations Labs

Caitlin McLean, Carrie Stever, Craig Courtney, Alice Albright, David Ferreira, Larry Coben

A panel of leaders from the Milken Institute, ARIS, GAIN, the US Export-Import Bank, and Gavi outlined innovative financial structures designed to de-risk early-stage investments in global sectors ranging from tuberculosis vaccines and agricultural supply chains to education and cultural heritage preservation. By blending catalytic public capital, patient private equity, and results-based financing mechanisms, these organizations aim to bridge market failures and unlock trillions of dollars in investment for emerging economies. The discussion concluded that sustainable development requires shifting from traditional aid models to scalable, investment-oriented frameworks that align social outcomes with long-term financial returns.