Rob Lockett

Rob Lockett, who was recently the National Team Leader for Housing Stability at the Rocket Community Fund, is a seasoned philanthropic and business leader with a strong track record in community development and investment.

Background and Education

• Lockett is a native of Atlanta and holds degrees from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. He is also a graduate of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at the Michigan State Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.14

Professional Experience

• At Rocket Community Fund, Lockett was responsible for all functions of philanthropic investment, market expansion, and stakeholder engagement in key markets nationally. He focused on areas such as housing stability, workforce development, digital equity, and arts & culture. He worked closely with community development financial institutions (CDFIs), commercial banks, municipalities, and resident-serving organizations.14
• He was instrumental in expanding inclusive and accessible homeownership and created the Rocket Wealth Accelerator, which provides personal finance solutions and financial education to residents with low to moderate incomes.14

Community Involvement

• Lockett is an active nonprofit volunteer and has served on several boards, including The SASHA Center, Wayne County Advocates for Children (CASA), Founders Junior Council of the Detroit Institute of the Arts, LISC Detroit, and the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit.14

Current Role

• As of October 2024, Rob Lockett has taken on the role of Executive Director at LISC Detroit, where he will continue his work in community development, affordable housing, economic development, and resident financial mobility.14

Key Initiatives

• At Rocket Community Fund, Lockett promoted affordable housing solutions, including a $550,000 funding initiative to protect Atlanta homeowners and renters from displacement. He emphasized the importance of addressing increasing property taxes and the cost of living, particularly for seniors and low to moderate income households.3
• He was also involved in launching the 'Homeownership Wealth Initiative' with the Northside Business and Entrepreneurship Center (NBEC) and Goodwill of North Georgia.2

Lockett's work is characterized by his commitment to equitable capital access, social justice, and economic mobility, and he is known for his ability to connect capital with community needs to achieve long-term positive impact.14