Dr. Michael L. Lomax to retire after more than two decades leading UNCF

The longtime president and CEO will step down in June 2027 before serving the organization as a consultant for another year.

Dr. Michael L. Lomax, the longtime president and CEO of UNCF, will retire after more than two decades of leadership when he steps down in June 2027, UNCF confirmed in its official leadership transition announcement..

UNCF Board Chair Milton H. Jones Jr. announced the transition July 20. The board has launched a national search for Lomax’s successor after years of succession planning designed to maintain the organization’s momentum and support a smooth leadership change.

Lomax became UNCF president and CEO in 2004. During his tenure, the organization raised more than $4 billion from private and philanthropic sources and helped more than 300,000 students pursue and complete college degrees. Scholarship opportunities also expanded to students attending more than 600 U.S. colleges and universities, including 36 UNCF member HBCUs.

UNCF’s endowment grew from $60 million to $500 million under Lomax, and the organization expects it to reach $600 million before his departure. One major fundraising milestone came in 2024, when a $100 million Lilly Endowment gift became the largest unrestricted donation in UNCF history and supported a pooled endowment for member institutions.

Lomax also oversaw efforts to expand how HBCUs serve students. In 2022, UNCF announced HBCUv, an online learning platform designed to connect students across Black colleges while expanding access to courses, career opportunities and digital learning tools.

“Serving as president and CEO of UNCF has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Lomax said in the announcement. He credited the board, member institutions, employees, donors and other supporters for the organization’s accomplishments.

Lomax will remain fully engaged through June 2027, helping launch UNCF’s 2030 Strategic Plan and advancing its capital campaign toward a $1 billion milestone. After retiring as president and CEO, he will remain with UNCF as a consultant for one additional year to support the incoming leader.

When Lomax retires as UNCF president, he will leave an organization with a much larger endowment, broader fundraising capacity and greater national influence than it had when he took office. UNCF plans to recognize his contributions throughout the transition year while preparing for its next chapter.