Our Story

Dr. Gary Michelson and Driving Progress in Education

It All Started With “The Big 5”

The Vision

Dr. Gary Michelson and his wife, Alya Michelson, formed the Michelson 20MM Foundation in 2010 (formerly The Twenty Million Minds Foundation) with one goal in mind: To tackle a broken textbook publishing model controlled by “The Big 5” (the nickname for the major trade book publishing companies in the United States).

The vision was lofty: Create and provide for the use of a comprehensive, digital, higher education textbook library in an open-architecture platform to mitigate students’ expenses and, eventually, replace the costly commoditized textbooks of all high-enrollment general education courses.

In other words, build a new scalable publishing model to provide low-cost or free textbooks.

The Inspiration

Dr. Gary Michelson first became involved in this effort when he learned from a group of professors at Santa Ana College, a two-year public institution in Orange County, California, that each term, several bright and qualified students failed to complete their degrees simply because they could not afford the increasingly expensive course textbooks.

After learning that a group of professors were pooling their own money to create a textbook scholarship, Dr. Michelson was inspired to join the cause since he, too, had experienced financial hardships as a college student that pushed him to work up to 2 jobs at a time while in school.

He began by contributing his own funds towards the textbook scholarship, but was committed to finding a more enduring solution to the textbook affordability crisis.

Thus emerged the Twenty Million Minds Foundation, on a mission to increase educational access, foster academic success, and reduce cost obstacles associated with higher education.

About Us

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

Our Partners

Dr. Gary Michelson has partnered with some of the leading philanthropic and educational organizations in the country, whether it’s the pragmatic and non-partisan philanthropy of the Hewlett Foundation, or General Assembly’s efforts to make educational technology more accessible online.

Meet Our Team

Phillip Kim

Phillip Kim

Chief Executive Officer

Mayra Lombera

Mayra Lombera

Chief Operating Officer

Ryan Erickson-Kulas

Ryan Erickson-Kulas

Director of Programs and Operations

Miguel Leon

Miguel Leon

Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives

Matthew Brashier

Matthew Brashier

Student Fellow, Smart Justice

Cristopher Espino

Cristopher Espino

Student Fellow, Student Basic Needs

James Glapa-Grossklag

James Glapa-Grossklag

Open Educational Resources (OER) Fellow

Queena Hoang

Queena Hoang

Senior Program Manager, Student Basic Needs

Jen Liu

Jen Liu

Marketing & Communications Manager

Marissa Martinez

Marissa Martinez

Senior Program Coordinator, Student Engagement

Cristal Mojica

Cristal Mojica

Senior Program Manager, Digital Equity

Cailyn Nagle

Cailyn Nagle

Senior Program Manager, Open Educational Resources

 Chinwe Ohanele

Chinwe Ohanele

Senior Program Manager, Michelson Institute for IP

Francesca Romero

Francesca Romero

Student Fellow, Digital Equity

Zach Schultz

Zach Schultz

Investment Associate

Abba Schwartz

Abba Schwartz

Student Fellow, Open Educational Resources

Kenia Miranda Verdugo

Kenia Miranda Verdugo

Program Manager, Smart Justice

Katie Wagman

Katie Wagman

Textbook Affordability Fellow

Our team consists of like-minded professionals that share Dr. Gary Michelson’s vision, to increase access to education and to improve lives along the way.

Questions about our partnerships and our mission? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!