Michelson 20MM Foundation

Medical device inventor and orthopedic surgeon who sold patents to Medtronic and became a self-made billionaire. He created the Michelson 20MM Foundation to advance educational access and intellectual property education.

Venture capital and entrepreneurship background professional who has led Michelson Philanthropies' education practice since 2015 and overseen social impact investment platforms providing seed funding to over 40 mission-aligned technology startups.

International development and public sector professional with 20+ years of experience across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. Currently co-chair of Southern California Latinx in Philanthropy and CEO of Hope Innovation Strategies.

Campaign director and student organizer focused on creating systems change in educational resource accessibility. She combines programmatic, organizing, and philanthropic strategies to shift textbook ecosystems toward open educational resources as the default.

Attorney and entrepreneur who operated her own law firm serving small business owners and continues as adjunct professor at USC Gould School of Law. She holds degrees in Economics and Philosophy and a J.D. from Loyola Law School.

Nonprofit practitioner focused on closing the digital divide through state and local advocacy and cross-sectoral convening. She holds a degree in Political Economy and Public Policy from UC Berkeley with a focus on labor studies and income inequality.

Social work professional with background in crisis intervention and direct service. She supported first-generation students at Cal State Fullerton and is committed to strengthening family support systems and community care.

First-generation college graduate with experience in K-12 education and mental health services for foster youth. They manage the Michelson 20MM Student Fellowship and advocate for student power and textbook affordability.

Education leadership doctoral graduate from USC Rossier School who has over 10 years of direct service experience with students of color, first-generation students, former foster youth, and undocumented students. She previously provided institutional coaching at the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice.

Educational equity professional who previously led the Open Educational Resources Initiative and developed the Michelson Spark Grant program. He has worked with historically underinvested student populations and served as Director of Operations at Best Buddies California.

Intellectual property education expert focused on demystifying IP, trade secrets, and copyright law for underrepresented communities. She leads the Los Angeles chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators and organizes knowledge-sharing community events.

Cal Poly Humboldt social work student focused on decolonizing social work practices and supporting parenting students. She previously facilitated student-parent support groups and worked to address systemic barriers through Project SPARC.

Second-year law student at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles with psychology and public health backgrounds. She advocates for underrepresented communities and deepens her intellectual property knowledge focused on HBCUs.

Educational technology expert serving as Dean of Educational Technology and Distance Learning at College of the Canyons. He previously led the Community College Consortium for OER and the Open Education Consortium as board president.

Communications professional with experience in nonprofit and corporate sectors at organizations including Pasadena Magazine and Zócalo Public Square. She develops comprehensive communication strategies to advance the foundation's mission of education, equity, and access.

UCLA Public Affairs major focused on education justice and textbook affordability as a structural barrier affecting low-income and first-generation students. She has authored and co-sponsored California State Legislature legislation supporting marginalized youth.

Investment banking and venture capital professional with experience at early-stage investment firms Unicom Capital and Chisos Capital. He holds a B.S. in finance from the University of Colorado and an M.S. in accounting from Regis University.