Remembering Claire Lomax

Remembering Claire Lomax

Posted: Thursday, June 16, 2022
Source: William Penn Foundation

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of our fellow Board Member Claire Lomax. Claire has served on William Penn Foundation’s board of Directors with unwavering commitment since 2019.

We are grateful for her commitment to the Foundation’s board, and for the valuable perspective she brought to our conversations. In many board discussions Claire fought tirelessly for equity. She promoted the fact that equity had to “start at the top,” and advocated strongly for diversity in nonprofit governance and leadership and held us accountable to reflect the changes we want to see in the world. She also knew the importance of elevating community voices and supporting community-based organizations, especially those led by people of color. It’s through this lens that she helped shape the refined Creative Communities program and its new approach which centers racial equity in its grantmaking. Beyond our core grantmaking, Claire also encouraged us to get involved in important work around family stability and gun violence reduction. Claire’s impact on the William Penn Foundation and her efforts to challenge us to center equity will be long felt.

On a personal note, as someone who was involved in a family foundation – helping to launch The Lomax Family Foundation and serving as its CEO for almost 20 years – Claire was a mentor to both Christina and me as we prepared to transition into a leadership role at the William Penn Foundation. For her time, guidance, and wisdom, we are very grateful.

Our hearts are with Claire’s daughter Dylan and stepson Jared and the rest of the Lomax Family. While we share our deepest sympathies with her family, we also remember the imprint she leaves behind and the many lives she impacted through her commitment to helping others. 

My best,

Kathy Christiano

Board Chair, William Penn Foundation

 

Read more about Claire’s legacy in this obituary published in The Intelligencer.