Deshon Burgess
Manager, Capital
Programs
Fueled by a deep commitment to advancing economic mobility and dismantling systemic barriers, Deshon Burgess is a social impact strategist dedicated to empowering underserved communities.
During his time at the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) Institute for Capacity Building, he has been instrumental in closing the longstanding funding gaps between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other higher education institutions.
At UNCF ICB, Deshon led the execution and deployment of the $180 million HBCU Transformation Project, a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen institutional capacity, improve student outcomes, and expand pathways to economic mobility. As a key leader in this project, he drove transformation sprints, implementing strategic initiatives that enhanced technological infrastructure, transformed academic and administrative strategies, and fostered collaboration across multi-campus networks. His expertise in strategic management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement has enabled him to build strong partnerships with funders, service providers, and HBCU leaders, ensuring the successful implementation and scaling of impactful programs.
Deshon's passion for leveraging business solutions to create a more equitable future stems from his experience as a Teach For America corps member, teaching science in a Title I district in Atlanta, GA. As Science Department Chair, he led initiatives to secure critical funding and resources, ensuring teachers and students had the tools they needed to achieve academic excellence.
Deshon holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management from Clark Atlanta University School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Union College (NY). Deshon currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. When he's not strategizing solutions for social impact, you can find him exploring new culinary delights, coaching youth basketball, or enjoying quality time with his wife and dog, Obi.
