“I believe strongly in the critical importance of movement leaders to build power for a better world,” said Margaret Huang, incoming NEO Philanthropy President and CEO.
September 10, 2026 – NEO Philanthropy’s Board of Directors announced Margaret Huang, a dynamic mission-driven leader, as the next President and CEO. Huang was chosen to succeed Michele Lord who has led the organization since 2001.
Margaret Huang is a transformative leader whose life’s work has been dedicated to advancing civil liberties and human rights. Huang most recently served as a senior advisor at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights working on a national project focused on the Third Reconstruction of the United States grounded in economic justice and representative democracy.
Previously Huang served as the President and CEO at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national civil rights organization. During her tenure at the Southern Poverty Law Center, she evolved the strategy of a legacy organization to re-concentrate its work in the Deep South around racial justice, voting and civic engagement, and criminal legal reform. Throughout her decades of experience, Huang’s leadership roles have been at the intersection of social justice movements, philanthropy, and public policy.
”“The need for strong, impactful movements have never been more critical, and Margaret is an exceptional leader to lead NEO at this pivotal moment. We are most grateful for the extraordinary leadership of Michele Lord to set NEO up for future success. Margaret takes the helm of a strong organization and talented team with the vision and fortitude to chart the next chapter and advance the mission and impact of movement leaders across the country.”
Kerrien Suarez, Co-Chair of the NEO Philanthropy Board of Directors
Huang’s career trajectory in international human rights spans the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Asia Foundation, and Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights. Huang also served as the Executive Director of Amnesty International USA where the work focused on grassroots campaigns on refugee and migrant rights and ending human rights violations against people seeking safety. In her role, Huang strengthened Amnesty’s role as a bridge between grassroots activism, philanthropy, and policy advocacy.
Earlier in her career Huang led the Rights Working Group, a fiscally-sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy focused on racial justice, civil liberties, and immigrant rights following the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
”“It is a true honor to lead NEO at a moment of considerable consequence and opportunity. I believe strongly in the critical importance of movement leaders to build power for a better world. There’s a remarkable track record of the NEO team focused on achieving meaningful change grounded in the enduring support for equal rights, dignity, and justice. There’s much work to do to ensure the movement infrastructure of tomorrow has the resources and capacity requisite to fulfill the vision we all deserve.”
Margaret Huang, incoming NEO Philanthropy President and CEO
Huang holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She currently sits on the Boards of Directors of the National Women’s Law Center, which advocates for gender justice in the courts, in public policy, and in society, as well as the Progressive Multiplier Fund, helping organizations working to achieve justice build financial resilience so their pursuits are bold, adaptive, and built to last.
The Board of Directors chose Huang as the next leader of both NEO Philanthropy, 501(c)(3) and the NEO Philanthropy Action Fund, a 501(c)(4), after an intentional process led by Melissa Madzel, Do Good Connections, and Carlyn Madden, Good Insight. Margaret Huang will start in October and Michele Lord will remain as a senior advisor through the end of 2026.
