By Virág Vida
Founded in 1998 by Michael Milken, the Milken Global Conference aims each year to bring together global leaders, top experts, and influential figures from public life and culture to discuss the political, geopolitical, cultural, and social forces shaping our world.
One of the highlights of the morning program was a conversation with Todd Boehly. A returning guest to the conference, Boehly was referenced multiple times by Michael Milken, who alluded to their professional and personal connection.
Todd Boehly is the co-founder and CEO of Eldridge Industries, which has significant investments across media and sports, including ownership stakes in Chelsea FC, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The central question of the panel was that what does it take to build a financial enterprise that lasts? The discussion brought together two leaders with distinct perspectives: one from MassMutual, with its 175-year history, and the other from Eldridge Industries, representing a modern, opportunistic platform. Together, they explored how trust, resilience, and long-term thinking unlock opportunity across market cycles—and why insurance remains a cornerstone of investing for decades to come.
Another panel focused on China’s increasingly influential global role. Participants agreed that China has become an unavoidable economic, strategic, and cultural force. This position was not achieved overnight, but through decades of systematic learning, development, and persistent effort.
Alongside economic experts, Yue-Sai Kan also joined the discussion. Named by People magazine as “the most famous woman in China,” the Emmy Award-winning television host, producer, author, and humanitarian added a personal and cultural dimension to the conversation.
On the first day of one of the world’s most influential conferences, several panels addressed the topic of mental health. In light of the current Trump administration’s often skeptical stance toward mental illness, it was particularly noteworthy that the conference placed strong emphasis on this issue.
In addition to experts, Emmy Award-winning actor John Turturro spoke in a surprisingly candid conversation, sharing personal family trauma and decades-long struggles connected to severe mental health challenges faced by his brother and mother.
One of the standout moments of the day was the presence of Elisabeth Moss, whose work extends far beyond a successful television series. The Handmaid’s Tale became not only a widely acclaimed production but also sparked meaningful global conversations about women’s rights, power, and freedom. Moss’s performance was more than portraying a character—it carried a powerful, universal message. Meeting her in person confirmed that she is just as thoughtful, intelligent, and warm as one would expect.
At the end of the day, Shaquille O’Neal left the audience with inspiring closing thoughts:
“To be truly great… you have to have total control over your level of commitment to your craft, and realize that before you succeed, you must first learn how to fail. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t get it done. Be wild, be bold in your thinking, and just go for it. I love when people tell me I can’t do something—I’ll get it done anyway. As a young man, I never thought I’d be sitting here next to the great Tom Brady. I never thought I was smart enough to be at this conference—but here I am. Because I am very, very committed.”
