Milgrom was born in Melbourne, Australia to a family of businesspeople. Her grandmother, Faye Gandel, opened the first Sussan store in Melbourne just before World War II, selling lingerie. Milgrom's father Marc Besen is a successful Melbourne entrepreneur, and her mother Eva Besen is a philanthropist. Milgrom studied languages at Monash University followed by education at the University of New South Wales. She worked for four years as a special education teacher in Sydney, helping autistic and schizophrenic children with language problems. She then worked in publishing and advertising, until her father invited her to join the family business in 1990 with a view to modernising their brands. In 2003 Milgrom bought her parents and three siblings out of the business and assumed full ownership of all three brands.
Philanthropy
Milgrom is an active benefactor and participant in arts projects and events. In 2014 she established the Naomi Milgrom Foundation to fund public art, design and architecture projects. The same year, the foundation provided the funding for a series of outdoor pavilions to be built in Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne, each spring for four years. International architects are invited to design and build a pavilion; in 2014 Sean Godsell designed the pavilion; in 2015, Amanda Levete; in 2016 Mumbai’s Bijoy Jain; and in 2017 the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Milgrom's other philanthropic projects cover entrepreneurship, contemporary art, music, dance, fashion, culture, science, education, women’s health and the Jewish community. She has been Chair of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Chair of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, Director of the Magellan Financial Group and a board member of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. She has also held the position of board member of the Melbourne Business School and served as Commissioner for the Australian representation at the 57th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale 2017. Milgrom is a member of the Art Basel Global Patrons Council, Tate Museum London’s International Council and has been a judge for the World Architecture Awards.
Recognition
In 2020, Milgrom was awarded as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the General Division, the highest level of recognition in the Australian honours system, for 'eminent service to the community through philanthropic leadership and support for the promotion of the arts, architecture, design excellence and cultural exchange, and to business.' This followed her 2010 appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia for 'service to business as a leader and mentor in the fashion industry and to the community through advisory and management roles of a wide range of arts, health and philanthropic bodies.' In 2015 she was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects President’s Prize for her establishment of the MPavilion project in Melbourne. Milgrom has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Business from RMIT University in 2010, a Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from Monash University in 2010, Creative Partnerships Australia Philanthropy Leadership Award in 2016 and an Honorary Doctorate of Business from the University of New South Wales in 2016.
