Michael Milken

Michael Milken, universally known as Mike, is one of America's most active philanthropists. A Fortune magazine cover story called him "The Man Who Changed Medicine" in recognition of his three decades of successful efforts to accelerate medical research. He formalized his previous philanthropy in 1982 by co-founding the Milken Family Foundation, which includes the Milken Scholars program. Mike's most recent philanthropic initiative is FasterCures, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank dedicated to shortening the time it takes to find cures and improved treatment outcomes for all deadly and debilitating diseases. A decade earlier, he founded the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the world's largest private funder of prostate-cancer research. Mike is Chairman of the Milken Institute, an economic think tank whose scholars consult for government and private organizations, publish reports and hold conferences on global and regional economic issues. As a financier, he is widely credited with revolutionizing modern capital markets, making them more democratic and dynamic. The Economist said his financial innovations "are credited with fuelling much of America's rampant economic growth by enabling companies with bright ideas to get the money they need to develop them." This has created millions of jobs. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley and received his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. The National Association of State Boards of Education honored him with the Friend of Education Award in 1997. Mike's articles appear frequently in major publications. He and his wife, Lori, have three children and eight grandchildren and have been married since 1968. For more about Mike, please visit www.mikemilken.com.

Lori Milken

Lori Milken is a member of the Milken Family Foundation Board of Trustees and has played an active role in establishing relationships between the Foundation and organizations that are doing critical work to advance the Foundation's mission in the areas of education and medical research. Mrs. Milken is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Brentwood School, the Boards of Directors of the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA and the Milken Community High School. In addition to her work with children, Mrs. Milken serves as a board member for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Besides her philanthropic work, Mrs. Milken is the founder and publisher of Delphinium Books—a company that focuses primarily on emerging writers. Mrs. Milken has played a critical role in the Milken Scholars Program since its inception in 1989. She participates each year in the selection process, provides direction for new initiatives of the Program and maintains relationships with many of the Scholars. Mrs. Milken received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of California at Berkeley and a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ralph Finerman

Ralph Finerman is senior vice president and treasurer of the Milken Family Foundation, and has long been an active participant in all Foundation initiatives as a member of its Board of Directors. A certified public accountant and attorney, Mr. Finerman received his bachelor of science degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, an LL.B. from Columbia Law School and an LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law. Mr. Finerman has been instrumental in the development of the Milken Scholars Program from its inception in 1989. During this time, Mr. Finerman has overseen the growth of the program from a handful of students to well over 200 Milken Scholars. Through his involvement, Mr. Finerman has assisted many scholars in achieving their professional and academic goals.

Jane Foley

Jane Foley, a 1994 recipient of the Milken Educator Award, is senior vice president, Milken Educator Awards, at the Milken Family Foundation. She oversees the selection and notification of Milken Educators, and works with state agencies on state events related to the Awards.

Dr. Foley serves on the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Advisory Council. NIET manages TAP™: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement, a comprehensive school-based reform to attract, retain, develop and motivate talented people to the teaching profession. She is senior advisor for the Lowell Milken Center, a Kansas-based initiative that supports projects aimed at teaching respect and understanding throughout America and the world.

From 2006 to 2010, she was senior advisor to former U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. William Bennett and led a team of Milken Educators to develop an online curriculum and advance the use of his American History books, America: The Last Best Hope, in schools across the country. From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Foley led a Foundation project to disseminate an interdisciplinary curriculum guide based on The Children of Willesden Lane, a World War II memoir by Grammy-nominated pianist Mona Golabek that serves as a rich learning resource for schools.

Dr. Foley was a public school educator for 24 years, serving at the elementary and high school levels as both teacher and principal. Before coming to the Foundation in 1998, she was principal of Flint Lake Elementary School in Indiana, which, under her leadership, attained state and national recognition in the areas of school restructuring, professional development, technology integration and student achievement. Dr. Foley received her Ph.D. from Purdue University, and her honors include the International Society of Educational Planning Outstanding Dissertation Award, Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honorary, and the 2011 Distinguished Education Alumni Award from Purdue University’s College of Education.

As director of the Milken Scholars Program, Dr. Foley provides guidance to the Scholars with respect to their academic and career goals, and oversees the selection and interview process for new Scholars as well as the planning of program events and activities.

Mariano Guzman

A member of the board of trustees for the Milken Family Foundation, Mariano Guzmán has served as a director of the Milken Scholars program since its inception in 1989, and now serves as its director emeritus. He has developed significant relationships with each of the Milken Scholars and has worked diligently to ensure that all Scholars reach their full potential as students and professionals. Mr. Guzmán received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Manhattan College and several graduate degrees in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He currently serves as superintendent for Community School District 2 of the New York City Department of Education.

He has served as chairman of the Hispanic Federation of New York; vice chairman of the Albert Oliver Program; co-chairman of De La Salle Academy; chairman of Hispanics in Philanthropy; trustee of the Inner City Scholarship Fund of the Archdiocese of New York; trustee of Lexington School for the Deaf; and a Governor-appointed member of the Jackie Robinson Commission. In 2005, he was the recipient of Reclaiming Youth International's prestigious Circle of Courage Award for a lifetime of work dedicated to youth.

Gregory Milken

A member of the Board of Trustees for the Milken Family Foundation, Gregory Milken is actively involved in Foundation initiatives such as the Milken Scholars Program, the Milken Educator Awards and Mike's Math Club. He also serves on the board of the Milken Institute and is active in planning education panels for the annual Global Conference. In his current role as director of strategic planning for Knowledge Learning Corporation, which operates over 850 preschool centers and 550 before- and after-school programs in the U.S., Mr. Milken examines new business opportunities and acts as an advocate for early education in the political arena. Mr. Milken received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in international relations and Asian studies, an M.A. from Stanford in international policy studies and an M.B.A. from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

As director of the Milken Scholars Program, Mr. Milken provides guidance to the Scholars with respect to their academic and career goals, and oversees the selection and interview process for new Scholars as well as the planning of program events and activities.

Jeremiah Davis

Jeremiah joined the Milken Family Foundation in March of 2007 to serve as the Milken Scholars Program Coordinator. He helps with the selection process of new Scholars, planning the Annual Summit, and the Annual Holiday Dinner and Community Service Projects in addition to assisting with the program’s administrative responsibilities. Jeremiah received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from University of California at Los Angeles, and had worked in administrative capacities in Banking, Real Estate, and Transportation Logistics prior to joining the Foundation. In college, Jeremiah wrote, produced, and co-hosted a morning radio show. He is an avid reader and counts writing, design, and camping among his interests.

Greg Gallagher

Having worked at the Milken Family Foundation in several capacities since 1994, Greg Gallagher now serves as the Alumni Director for the Milken Scholars Program. Before taking on this role, Greg worked as a program coordinator with the Milken Educator Awards. A graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz, Greg majored in theatre and had lead roles in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and Two Gentleman of Verona, and also starred as Tom in Tennessee William's The Glass Menagerie in high school and college. In 1987 Greg was given an award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre and Dance by Mamaroneck High School. Greg was selected as one of 30 high school students in New York State to study with the Circle Repertory Company at the New York Summer School of the Arts in 1987. Greg was a volunteer at The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium from 2001–2005. The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium offers school groups, families and visitors a unique view into the ocean world just outside its doors and is home to dozens of species of marine animals and plants.

Tracey La Monica

As program administrator for the Milken Educator Awards, Tracey La Monica’s responsibilities include organization and implementation of the selection process for new Milken Educators. She works with state personnel to coordinate notification assemblies across the country. Ms. La Monica supports the Milken Scholars and their annual Summit. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2011, Ms. La Monica was the district director to Senator Roy Ashburn as well as his field representative in the California central valley. She also worked with the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and was a reporter at two newspapers. Ms. La Monica holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and is a native Angeleno.

Nona Hale

Nona Hale has been with the Milken Family Foundation since 1993 when she began as an administrative assistant in the Milken Educator Awards Department. In 2000 she was named program coordinator and in 2003 assumed accounting duties for the MEA department as well. She was producer and mother hen for the Life in a Jar touring play in November of 2005. Life in a Jar is the story of Irena Sendler, who saved over 2,500 Jewish children smuggling them from the ghetto during the German occupation of Poland. The play was written and performed by students of Milken Educator, Norm Conard (KS '92). This past year she began working on the Milken Scholars program where she coordinates the holiday party, assists with the retreat and coordinates the recognition dinner. She also processes the expenses and scholarships. She volunteers at a local community theatre where she has served as president, vice president of administration, and secretary among many other duties. One of her favorite jobs in the theatre was serving as producer for the TP Kids production of As You Like It with over 60 children in the cast.

Kristen Pritchard

Kristen Pritchard joined the Milken Family Foundation in 2012 as Program Assistant for the Milken Educator Awards and Milken Scholars. In this role, Kristen supports all elements of both initiatives including selections, data base and office management, and special events. She was born and raised in Fresno, CA but has resided in the Los Angeles area since earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science with minors in Public Affairs and Spanish from the University of California, Los Angeles. As a student, she interned for Senator Barbara Boxer and LA's BEST After School Enrichment Program. Additionally, Ms. Pritchard worked at the UCLA School of Public Health and later did consulting work with school districts throughout California.