Michael Alexander will deliver the keynote address at Lewis & Clark’s 2026 commencement ceremony on May 9. Alexander is a founding member and current chair of the board of the Albina Vision Trust (AVT), a nonprofit organization leading redevelopment efforts in Portland’s historically Black Lower Albina neighborhood. President Robin Holmes-Sullivan currently serves as an at-large member of AVT’s board of directors.
As chair of AVT’s board, Alexander supports the organization’s efforts to restore and redevelop Portland’s historic Lower Albina neighborhood. AVT’s mission is to address the legacy of displacement caused by urban renewal projects that destroyed thousands of homes in the area during the mid-20th century. The nonprofit’s long-term redevelopment plan seeks to rebuild housing, expand economic opportunities and restore community connections in the historically Black neighborhood.
LC formally announced a partnership with AVT earlier this year after Holmes-Sullivan first became interested in the organization’s community work while attending a talk by AVT Executive Director Winta Yohannes. The partnership seeks to connect the college’s academic resources with Albina’s redevelopment through initiatives such as legal clinics, counseling services and educational programming for community members.
Alexander is recognized in the Pacific Northwest for his leadership in civil rights advocacy, healthcare administration and urban development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lewis University in 1972 and later received a master’s degree from the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in 1975.
Throughout his career, Alexander has held leadership roles across the nonprofit, public and private sectors. From 2012 to 2015, he served as president and CEO of the Urban League of Portland, one of the region’s oldest African American civil rights organizations. During his tenure he focused on improving opportunities for underserved communities in areas such as education, healthcare, employment and economic sustainability.
Alexander has also played an active role in civic leadership across Oregon. He previously served as a commissioner to the Portland Planning Commission and was appointed by former governor Kate Brown in 2016 to the Port of Portland Commission, where he served for eight years. In addition to his work in government and nonprofit leadership, Alexander built a long career in healthcare administration, holding executive positions with companies including Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Magellan Behavioral Health and Aetna. He currently serves on the board of Providence Health Plans.
With years of experience in nonprofit leadership, healthcare administration and civic service, Alexander will address graduates as this year’s commencement speaker on May 9.
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