Henry Beecher Hicks III

Board Secretary

Henry Hicks is a skilled executive with more than 30 years of experience leading businesses in the industrial, life-sciences and hospitality sectors. Henry’s career reflects a track record of driving business development, improved financial performance, advising on M&A and corporate finance transactions, and refinements in corporate strategy. Henry brings governance proficiency through his work with corporate boards. For six years he served on the board of United Therapeutics Corporation, where he chaired the audit committee and implemented Sarbanes-Oxley compliance standards following legislation passage. He also served on the compensation committee.

Henry is the President and CEO of the National Black MBA Association. This 50-year-old organization represents 15,000 members in forty-two chapters across the nation and is the most esteemed organization supporting development and advancement for professionals of color.

Previously, Henry led the start-up, design, construction, and fundraising for the National Museum of African American Music, which opened in 2021. In this role he $60 million cultural institution, gaining support from the corporate, music industry, and philanthropic communities. Prior to that time Henry was a partner with Red Clay Capital Holdings and an operating partner with Onyx Capital Ventures, both private equity firms where he led strategic business development. While working with Bank of America, and in previous roles, Henry executed more than $1 billion in financing transactions domestically and
internationally.

Henry began his career in sales and management consulting, during which time he worked with companies in the industrial, energy, media, and technology sectors on strategic planning, revenue growth, and corporate finance. Henry is a member of the board of directors of the Roosevelt Institute and Leadership Nashville and is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. He served previously on the boards of Hands on Atlanta, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and the University School of Nashville, where he served as Finance Committee Chair.

Henry received his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and his master of business administration from the University of North Carolina. He is a White House Fellow.