Philanthropist Michael Milken, BS 68, to speak at Haas, Nov. 4

Financier and philanthropist Michael Milken, BS 68, will deliver a multimedia presentation titled “Unprecedented Times–Unprecedented Opportunities” on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Andersen Auditorium.

The presentation will focus on what Milken calls the “three great democratizations” of the 21st century–access to capital, to knowledge, and to health. The event is part of the Schwab Charitable Philanthropy Speaker Series organized by the Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership. Registration is required.

“Philanthropy is being transformed by entrepreneurial leaders who are redefining success,” says Nora Silver, the center's director. “Michael Milken stands out even among this elite group for single-handedly creating a new paradigm for medical research and improving educational outcomes for children.”

During the 1970s and 1980s, while developing new ways to finance growing businesses that created millions of jobs, Milken began to fund medical research after his mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer and his father with melanoma. Milken's philanthropic efforts in medical research became so widespread and effective that Fortune magazine recognized him as “the man who changed medicine” in a November 2004 cover story.

In 1982 Milken and his brother, Lowell, BS 70, co-founded the Milken Family Foundation, which has worked with more than 1,000 organizations around the globe on issues related to education and medical research.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993, Milken founded the Prostrate Cancer Foundation, which has funded more than 1,500 programs at 200 research centers in 20 nations. He also chairs FasterCures, a think tank dedicated to speeding up the search for cures for life-threatening diseases.

In 2007, Milken joined with leading physicians to launch the Melanoma Research Alliance. Since then, the alliance has given more than $21 million to 50 research programs around the world.

The Milken Institute, a non-partisan economic think tank founded by Milken, focuses on finding innovative ways to improve human, financial, and social capital. Its 14th annual Global Conference, May 2 to May 4, will bring 3,000 leaders from 60 nations to Los Angeles.

More information about Milken is available at www.mikemilken.com.

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