Carl J. Lavender Jr.

In his role as Chief Equity Officer, Carl R. Lavender, Jr. guides Foundation strategy, advocacy, and policy development related to health equity to achieve race equity to impact population health.

Carl is a multi-decade non-profit program expert and administrator. A native Midwesterner with deep roots in Cleveland, Columbus and Chicago, Carl has made a notable career leading nonprofit organizations, in Pinellas County for the past 20 years. He has served on multiple local state regional and national boards dedicated to advancing innovations to support the non-profit industry.

During his tenure at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, Carl has led:
• County-wide strategy to deploy millions of dollars to Black and Brown led non-profit organizations.
• Measurable investments made in non-traditional community-based work to advance race equity.
• Counsel to the office of the Foundation President to determine multi-sector investments to accelerate impact and galvanize the collaboration of anchor institutions in race equity.

Noted for his moderation and facilitation skills, Carl has represented post-secondary institutions, philanthropic organizations including the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, on local, state, national, and international panels. He has moderated key panels and community town-halls regarding government and race equity.

Carl earned the DiversityFIRST certification through the National Diversity Council in 2020, and was designated as a Courageous Conversations Beyond Race Affiliate Practitioner after completing extensive training. Carl has also completed DEI coursework from the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business.

Lavender holds a bachelor’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Human Services – Non-Profit Organizational Management (cum laude) from Springfield College in Massachusetts.