Biography: Dr. D. Pulane Lucas is President and CEO of Policy Pathways, Inc., a Richmond, Virginia-based nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides academic and leadership development programs for youth and young adults pursuing careers in public policy, public administration, and public service.

A Harvard-trained consultant and educator, Dr. Lucas has more than 20 years of experience in public policy analysis, program evaluation, organizational development, and social science research. She has taught business and economics at Reynolds Community College and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs since 2025.

Dr. Lucas holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Following the loss of her son while in custody, she became an advocate for improving correctional health care and accountability. She directs Uncounted, a national and state-based civilian-led initiative that promotes transparency and accurate reporting of in-custody deaths.