Lowell Milken, a pioneering philanthropist and business leader, was born into a family that instilled in him the values of hard work, innovation, and excellence. These formative experiences shaped his lifelong mission to unlock the full potential of human capability. Graduating Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and later earning his law degree from UCLA with academic honors, Lowell’s commitment to excellence has always been a hallmark of his journey.
Lowell’s contributions to education are genuinely transformative. In 1985, he founded the Milken Educator Awards, which has since recognized and empowered over 3,000 exceptional teachers across the United States. The initiative embodies his belief in education as a catalyst for positive change. Building on this foundation, he established the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), whose groundbreaking initiatives — such as the TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement — have elevated teacher effectiveness and student success, impacting millions nationwide.
Lowell’s direct involvement extends beyond these achievements. He has personally established and nurtured ten diverse philanthropic initiatives across Education, Art and Culture, Innovation, and Social Capital. For example, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with K-12 students and educators globally to uncover and share the stories of individuals who have profoundly shaped history, inspiring others to do the same. Lowell’s hands-on philanthropic approach ensures that every initiative he creates is not only scalable but also impactful at the deepest level.
Lowell’s story is one of dedication — driven by a passion for innovation, excellence, and the belief in unleashing human potential. His life's work stands as a testament to the difference an individual can make when committed to genuine, transformative change.
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
Formative Years
Born to parents Bernard and Ferne Milken on November 29th, 1948, Lowell grew up in Encino, and is a product of California’s public schools from primary through graduate school.
1953
Rosewood Elementary School
Enters kindergarten, beginning his educational career at Rosewood Elementary School.
1954
Milken Family Home
Milken family moves to Lowell's San Fernando Valley childhood home in Encino.
1954-1960
Hesby Street Elementary School
Attends 1st - 6th grade at Hesby Street Elementary School.
1958-59
Fifth Grade Teacher: Mr. Fosse
Mr. Fosse was an extraordinary, challenging, warm, and caring educator who had a profound impact on Lowell's personal development.
1959-60
Sixth Grade Teacher: Mr. Sutton
Mr. Sutton was an outstanding teacher who meangfuly influenced Lowell by always relating lessons to his students actual lives.
1960-1963
Portola Junior High School
Attends 7th - 9th grade at Portola Junior High School.
1962
Bar Mitzvah
Celebrates Bar Mitzvah ceremony and party at Temple Beth Hillel in North Hollywood, CA.
1963-66
Birmingham High School
Attends 10th - 12th grade at Birmingham High School.
1965
Yell Leader
Elected Head Yell Leader for Birmingham HS Cheer Squad.
1966
First Investment Partnership
Established an investment partnership with his brother Michael, to invest in equities in the public markets.
1966
Student Body Presidential Campaign
Lowell provided with the leadership opportunity to craft a speech influencing an audience with a call to action.
1966
High School Graduation
Graduated Birmingham High School with High Honors awarded for distinguished academic achievement.
1966
Bank of America Liberal Arts Award
Awarded Bank of America Liberal Arts Award for outstanding performance in the liberal arts in the senior class.
1966
Ephebian Society Award
Awarded Ephebian Society Award and election to membership for outstanding scholarship, leadership and character.
1966
California Scholarship Association
Awarded California Scholarship Association for distinguished academic achievement.
September, 1966
Cryopexy Eye Surgery
Undergoes successful emergency surgical procedure due to a separating layer of his right eye's retina, which used intense cold to induce a chorioretinal scar to bind the retinal tissue.
ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS
Excellence in College and Law School
Lowell Milken earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors from UC Berkeley, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He continued to excel at UCLA School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor degree and serving on the UCLA Law Review.
1966
University of California at Berkeley
Enters UC Berkeley with High Honors
1967
American Heart Association
Collaborated with other Task Force volunteers to solicit donations and communicate the association's programs effectively.
1968-1969
Wells Fargo Bank
Hired by Wells Fargo Bank to work on building and implementing a database to inventory personal property throughout their branches in California.
1970 - present
Investments in High Yield Debt Securities
Established investment partnerships with his brother Michael, to invest in high-yield debt securities.
1970
Summa Cum Laude
Lowell graduated from UC Berkeley in June 1970 meriting the highest academic level of summa cum laude.
1970
Price Waterhouse
Hired by Price Waterhouse for the summer of 1970 in the tax department; working on individual and partnership tax matters, and assisting managing partner in authoring a tax article relating to issues of controlled group of corporations.
1970
UC Berkeley Business School Most Outstanding Student Award
Awarded 'Most Outstanding Student' upon undergraduate graduation for UC Berkeley Business School.
1970
Phi Beta Kappa
Honored with the academic distinction of Phi Beta Kappa, the longest standing honor society in the U.S.
1970
Beta Gamma Sigma
Honored with membership in Beta Gamma Sigma in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of business.
1970
UCLA School of Law
Chooses to attend UCLA School of Law because of its excellent business law faculty, and to be able to maintain Los Angeles business relationships formed from his management of an investment partnership there.
1971-1973
Investpact, L.P.
Established and managed an investment limited partnership with funds raised from a small group of wealthy business people in Southern California. Investpact realized outstanding rates of returns. In 1973 Lowell dispands Investpact.L.P. to focus solely on his investment partnerships with his brother Michael.
1972-1973
UCLA Law Review
Member of the UCLA Law Review. Wrote "Comprehensive Securities Depository Systems and the Beneficial Owner" which was published in the UCLA Law Review, Vol. 20, December 1972.
1973
Order of the Coif
Graduated from UCLA Law School being awarded the honor of 'Order of the Coif' for high academic standing.
1973
California Bar
Took the California Bar exam in July, 1973, and passed.
BUILDING A VISION
Early Career and Foundations of Leadership
In the early stages of his career, Lowell combined practicing law with his passion for business, and then began working in finance, focusing on innovative approaches to high-yield investment strategies. This period also marked the development of his leadership skills and his growing interest in the potential for private enterprise and strategic thinking to drive meaningful change.
1973-1978
Irell & Manella
After graduating UCLA School of Law, Lowell joined the Investpact law firm, Irell & Manella where he focused on corporate, tax, securities and real estate law. This early professional experience laid a strong foundation for Lowell's subsequent ventures in business and philanthropy.
1974-1978
Representation of Members of Drexel’s High Yield Bond Department
Lowell serves as council on various securities, business, and real estate transactions for members of Drexel’s High Yield Bond Department,
1974-2005
Marriage to Sandy Salka
1974
City of Hope
As an active member, played a role in the local City of Hope chapter, raising funds for the hospital through organizing and hosting various events.
1975
Birth: Jeremy Milken, son
1978-1989
Drexel Burnham Lambert HYBD
Lowell follows his passion for business; leaving the practice of law to join his brother Michael in the High Yield Bond Department at Drexel Burnham Lambert.
As a senior vice president of the High Yield Bond Department, Lowell was responsible for conducting research on distressed and bankrupt companies and real estate investment trusts, evaluating, structuring, and managing investments, tax planning and various administrative functions. Lowell oversaw the relocation of Drexel Burnham Lambert's HYBD, corporate finance and retail departments headquarters to Los Angeles. Over the next decade, Lowell played a significant role in the firm's innovative financial strategies and growth but did not provide legal advice to DBL.
1978
Birth: Ryan Milken, son
1979
Otter Creek Associates
Formed general partnership with members of HYBD to purchase securities. Over the next decade, the partnership returned more than 80 times invested capital.
1979 - present
Milken Family Office
Established a family office; hiring and managing legal and financial groups to support a wide range of investments. Over the next five decades, Lowell and Michael would invest in diverse asset classes including public and private securities, venture capital, businesses and real estate.
1981-1989
Investment Partnerships
Played a leading role in the forming and mangeing of investment entities with members from HYBD, corporate finance, and Drexel to invest in leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, bank debt, and domestic and international securities.
1982
Birth: David Milken, son
1982
Milken Family Foundation
Co-founded the Milken Family Foundation with his brother Michael, establishing its mission to build human resources that enable individuals and their communities to lead productive and fulfilling lives. The Foundation focuses on advancing education and medical research.
EMPOWERING CHANGE
Innovator in Business and Philanthropy
During this period, Lowell’s career reached new heights, as he became a leader in high-yield investments, reshaping the financial landscape. At the same time, he co-founded the Milken Family Foundation, initiating programs to enhance education, medical research, and public health. His dual focus on business innovation and philanthropy demonstrated his commitment to empowering individuals and communities.
1984
Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Program
Established the Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Program in Los Angeles schools to enhance teachers’ skills, knowledge, and experience by offering curricula, study, and travel grants.
1984
UC Berkeley and UPenn Academic Grant Programs
Created grant programs at UC Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania to supplement academic salaries, helping attract and retain exceptional young professors and scholars.
1985
Milken Educator Awards
Conceived and founded the Milken Educator Awards, a national initiative celebrating exemplary K-12 educators. Known as the "Oscars of Teaching," the nations most preeminent educational awards program has already honored over 3,000 outstanding educators, each receiving a $25,000 unrestricted financial prize and access to a national professional development network.
1986-1990
Government Investigation
US government commenced an intensive and long investigation into possible securities law violations, with respect to the firm of Drexel Burnham Lambert and Michael Milken. Eventually, the prosecutor decides to target Lowell.
1986
Lowell Milken Family Foundation
Founded a private philanthropic organization aimed at strengthening communities through education and innovation.
1987
University-Community Outreach Program
Formulated and co-founded the University Community Outreach Program to foster collaboration projects between campuses and local communities, benefiting students and community members alike. This initiative introduced the Milken Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP), piloted at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and later expanded to Columbia University and UC Berkeley.
1990
Michael Milken Plea Resolution
After four years of unrelenting press leaks and other unconventional pressure tactics, including the unfair targeting of Lowell as a co-conspirator, Michael Milken agreed to resolve all matters by pleading to certain counts, which had never before, nor have since, been prosecuted as crimes. Lowell had no involvement in any of the activities that were the subject of the plea. He was absolved of all assertions of any improprieties. Michael Milken was subsequently pardoned.
1990
Milken Archive of American Jewish Music
Founded the Milken Archive, dedicated to discovering, preserving, and disseminating music reflecting the American Jewish experience. The archive includes over 600 recorded works, extensive oral histories, award-winning liner notes, and a virtual museum.
1991-2021
Industrial Properties
Established a partnership to develop industrial properties in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Over the following three decades, this partnership would develop millions of square feet of properties.
1991
National Education Conference
Created the National Education Conference to address critical issues in American K-12 education and celebrate Milken Educator Award recipients.
1994
Birth: Aaron Milken, son
1995 - present
Heron International
Lead a group of investors in acquiring a controlling interest in Heron International, a European leader in property development and investment. As Chairman and a major shareholder, Lowell oversees the company's developments and investments.
1995 - present
Knowledge Universe
Together with Michael Milken and Larry Ellison , established Knowledge Universe, a worldwide enterprise focused on education from early childhood through post-retirement. The entity is capitalized with $1 billion. Over the ensuing decade, the company becomes one of the largest education companies in the world with businesses ranging from early childhood to higher education to educational products and work/home services. At its peak operations, Knowledge Universe employed over 40,000 education professionals worldwide.
1995
Milken Community Schools
Co-founded, with Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, a nationally recognized Jewish day school. The school provides a college preparatory education to over 800 students, fostering intellectual, spiritual, artistic, and physical development.
1996 - present
Chairman and CEO, Knowledge Universe Education
Served as Chairman and CEO of Knowledge Universe Education (KUE), helping it become the largest early childhood education business in the world, and expand its reach into online curricula and virtual charter schools, educational products, online-post secondary schools, testing and assessment mechanisms, professional development instruments, technology certifications and international K-12 schools.
1997
Children's Discovery Centers
KUE acquires Children Discovery Centers (CDC), the sixth largest for-profit early childhood education company in the U.S.
1997
National Association of State Boards of Education
Recognized with the Friends of Education Award by the National Association of State Boards of Education.
1999
K-12 Inc.
Presided over KUE's investment into K-12 online learning with the establishment of K-12 Inc. K-12 Inc. offers a comprehensive online curriculum as its core of what becomes a new public education alternative -- virtual charter schools.
1999
Horace Mann League
Honored together with the Milken Family Foundation by the Horace Mann League with the 'Outstanding Friends of Education' award.
1999
TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement
Created the TAP System to enhance teacher quality and student performance through career advancement, professional growth, accountability, and performance-based compensation.
2000
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Honored with the 'Distinguished Service Award' by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Championing Human Capital and Global Impact
Lowell has expanded his philanthropic vision on a global scale, addressing critical challenges in education, health, and culture. Through his 10 groundbreaking diverse initiatives, like NIET , he continues to champion human potential, fostering systemic change and inspiring innovation to improve lives worldwide.
2003
Children's World and Champions
KUE acquires the second largest for-profit early childhood education company and the largest for-profit provider of after-school programs from Aramark.
2003
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Honored by The Jewish Theological Seminary of America at Lincoln Center for his contributions to the preservation of Jewish culture with the creation of the Milken Archive.
2004
Birth of grandchild, Jake Milken
2005
Kindercare
KUE acquires the largest for-profit early childhood education company in the U.S. KUE integrates Kindercare with KUE's existing early childhood education operations.
2005
National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET)
Founded this public non-profit organization to manage and expand the TAP System and other teacher quality initiatives to improve instructional skills and student outcomes. Today, NIET impacts over 350,000 teachers and 3.5 million students nationwide.
2006
Birth of grandchild, Marin Milken
2007
K-12 Inc. / Stride Inc.
K-12 Inc. goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2020, K-12 Inc. becomes Stride Inc.
2007
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Founded this public non-profit organization dedicated to worldwide promotion of human dignity and understanding through original, student made, history projects of unsung heroes. This program has since discovered hundreds of unsung heroes, engaged more than 1 million students globally, and welcomes visitors annually to its 'Hall of Unsung Heroes' in Fort Scott, KS, recognised as one of the 'Best small meuseums in America'.
2009
Hebrew Union College
Presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, by Hebrew Union College.
2009
UCLA School of Law Alumnus of the Year Award for Community Service
Honored as the UCLA Public Service School of Law Alumnus of the Year for extraordinary accomplishments in public and community service, particularly in the area of education and school reform.
2011
Knowledge Learning Opco / Knowledge Learning Propco
KUE divides its early childhood education business into two parts: Opco, which houses the early childhood center operating business, and Propco, which owns the underlying real property of more than 750 centers leased to Opco.
2011
Kappa Delta Pi Inaugural International Award for Excellence in Education
Honored for outstanding contribution to American K-12 public education.
2011
Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy at UCLA
Established this Institute with the largest founding gift to the UCLA School of Law at that time, creating initiatives and high-level scholarship that bridge academia and real-world applications in business and law.
2012
Marriage to Leah Hoffmitz
2014
Death: Leah Hoffmitz Milken
2014
Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography
Founded the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography with ArtCenter College of Design in memory of Professor Leah Hoffmitz Milken. The center is a world leader in letter form design, setting the standard for global typography and visual communication.
2015
Sale of Opco by KUE
KUE sells Opco, the largest for-profit early childhood education company in the U.S. to the Swiss Partners Group.
2015 - present
Real Estate in Reno, Nevada
Initiated a bold strategic initiative to acquire real estate in Reno, Nevada, which under Lowell's direct leadership has since produced real estate developments ranging from industrial and storage to multi-family and retail.
2015
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Chapman University Argyros School of Business and Economics
Presented with a Chapman University Argyros School of Business and Economics Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Dean Reginald Gilyard in recognition of "Extraordinary Contributions as a Philanthropist, Innovator and Visionary."
2016
ARTEFFECT
Founded an initiative that empowers students to creatively explore the lives of unsung heroes through the visual arts, fostering critical thinking, social awareness, and a deeper connection to history.
2017
Engagement to Lanetta Wahlgren
2017
James Bryant Conant Award
Recognized with one of the most prestigious honors in the field of education when named 'Education Commission of the States James Bryant Conant Award' recipient. An annual award, which recognizes outstanding individual contributions to American education.
2018
Aaron Milken Center
Envisioned and established a world-class early childhood educational experience at Stephen Wise Temple. A new state of the art facility provides children with educational opportunities to nurture their development.
2019
Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at UCLA
Established this center at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, creating a first of its kind hub for research, performance, and education to celebrate and preserve the rich musical heritage of American Jewish Experience.
2020 - present
National Realty Trust
Propco becomes a private real estate investment trust and is named National Realty Trust, with Lowell serving as Chairman. National Realty Trust raises additional equity from new investors.
2021
Sale of Industrial Properties Portfolio
Sale of the industrial property portfolio in Phoenix and Las Vegas that has been developed and operated over the past three decades.
2022
Lowell Milken Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits
Conceptualized and established this new center at UCLA School of Law to advance education, thought leadership, and scholarship in philanthropy and nonprofit management, to lead and inspire the next generation of philanthropists.
2023 - present
New Industrial Development
Lowell leads team in completion of 3 million square feet of new industrial developments with an additional 6 million square feet currently in the planning stages.