Dr. Charles Lu is the founding Executive Director of Friends of the Children – San Diego, where he is leading its launch and growth and building partnerships across philanthropy, education, government, and the broader community to create lasting opportunities for children and families.

Charles brings more than a decade of executive and senior leadership experience spanning higher education, the federal government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Friends of the Children, he held leadership roles at the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, UC San Diego, and The University of Texas at Austin. Throughout his career, he has led organizations and initiatives focused on educational opportunity, institutional strategy, community engagement, and building pathways for individuals and communities to reach their full potential.

The mission of Friends of the Children is also deeply personal to Charles, informed in part by his family’s experiences with the foster care system. That connection has strengthened his belief in the transformative power of stable, caring relationships and in the importance of ensuring that young people have consistent advocates who believe in their potential and remain committed to them over time.

A first-generation college graduate and former educator, Charles has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity and strengthening the institutions and communities that help people thrive. His leadership and service have been recognized through the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program and with a National Institutes of Health Director’s Award.

Beyond his professional work, Charles is an active philanthropic and civic leader. He is the founder and Board Chair of the Ivory Bridges Foundation, serves on the Executive Committee of Teach For America Southern California and chairs its San Diego Committee, and serves on the External Advisory Board of the San Diego State University College of Education. He is also a member of LEAD San Diego’s IMPACT program.