Staci Warden
Showing 16–18 of 18 transcripts.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
IPOs for SMEs: Can Capital Markets Close the Financing Gap?
Staci Warden, Ana Carvajal, Ashish Chauhan, Siobhan Cleary, Nick Thadaney, Arumna Abdul, Daniel, Scott Birdwell
A high-level panel of global financial experts identified credit access as the primary barrier for Small and Medium Enterprises, proposing tiered exchange models from Canada's TMX Group and India's Bombay Stock Exchange as effective mechanisms to mobilize local capital while protecting investors through graded liquidity rules. The discussion detailed how proportional regulatory frameworks, market maker programs, and innovative instruments like securitized receivables can balance enforcement with the need for lower compliance costs, successfully transitioning hundreds of companies from junior markets to senior boards. Ultimately, stakeholders argued that sustainable SME ecosystems require shifting from isolated IPO promotion to holistic financing environments that integrate private equity exit routes and foster job creation without distorting market integrity.
- Milken Institute58 min
New Horizons: The Evolution of Direct Lending and Illiquid Credit
Staci Warden, Michael Arougheti, Mary Katherine DuBose, Damien Dwin, Nino Fanlo, Terry Harris, Mike Garaghetti, Mary Catherine Dubois
Representatives from Ares Management, Wells Fargo, Brightwood Capital, SoFi, and Barings convened to analyze the maturation of the private credit market, defining direct lending as a global asset class spanning from family-owned businesses to PE-backed corporations. Panelists highlighted divergent strategies across the sector, including asset-backed senior financing, supply-demand imbalances for underserved founders, and disintermediation of super-prime consumers, while noting strong credit fundamentals despite a late-cycle environment. As regulatory frameworks evolve and fee compression accelerates, the industry faces a shift toward market efficiency where relationship premiums erode and liquidity managers prioritize rational relative value decisions over concentrated sponsor reliance.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
MI Summit 2013 - London: Investment Opportunities and Risks in Africa
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Karim Anjarwalla, Ade Ayeyemi, Sara Menker, James Mwangi, Staci Warden, Paul Hinks
Panelists and experts highlighted Africa's robust economic fundamentals, including a 6% annual growth rate, a median age of 20, and a projected middle class exceeding one billion people by 2060. While historical stereotypes have often led to inflated risk assessments and costly capital pricing, the presence of major multinationals and the rise of local champions in banking, legal, and telecom sectors demonstrate that governance improvements and regional integration are driving tangible market maturation. Successful investment strategies now emphasize informed courage, deep local partnerships, and the realization that corruption is an increasing barrier rather than an inevitable operational cost.