strengthening communities
through innovation and education
about - our founder
Meet the Founder
Founder Lowell Milken

An education reform pioneer and philanthropic leader over four decades, international businessman Lowell Milken has utilized his expertise, guidance and resources to create a diverse range of organizations and initiatives as chairman and founder of the Lowell Milken Family Foundation.

Named by Worth magazine as one of America's most generous philanthropists, Lowell is also an international businessman who chairs National Realty Trust, the largest property owner of early childhood centers in the U.S., as well as London-based Heron International, a worldwide leader in property development. Lowell's experience in business at the global level informs his strategic vision for the high-caliber educational opportunities vital to equip future generations to compete on the world stage and secure America’s heritage as a democracy.

Lowell is also the co-founder and chairman of the Milken Family Foundation (MFF). As one of the nation's most innovative private foundations, MFF has developed and fostered groundbreaking programs to advance education since its founding in 1982.

Lowell Milken’s education took shape in California public schools. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from the University of California at Berkeley, where he was named the School of Business Administration's Most Outstanding Student. He earned his law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, with academic honors of Order of the Coif and the distinction of UCLA Law Review. Lowell’s accomplishments have been recognized with awards from the National Association of State Boards of Education, Horace Mann League, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and Kappa Delta Pi honor society in the field of education. In higher education, the Jewish Theological Seminary honored Lowell’s historic achievements in the preservation of Jewish heritage and culture. UCLA School of Law named him Alumnus of the Year for Public Service, while Chapman University and Hebrew Union College have each presented Lowell Milken with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. The Education Commission of the States recognized him with the James Bryant Conant Award, its highest honor for significant improvements by an individual to American education.

Milken Educator Award founder Lowell Milken in the classroom of 2013 CA Milken Educator Jennifer Smith.

The Lowell Milken Family Foundation will continue to serve its founder's mission to foster improved opportunities for people of all ages to reach their full potential.

“In every endeavor, people make the difference, and just one person has the power to make a profound difference in the lives of so many people.” - Lowell Milken

close