Adrienne C. Lance Lucas, C'90
Founder and President, Lance Lucas & Associates, LLC
M.B.A., Harvard Business School
B.A., Spelman College
City of Residence: Mableton, Georgia
Adrienne Lance Lucas is founder and president of Lance Lucas & Associates, LLC, a business strategy,
operations, and fundraising development consultancy serving a broad spectrum of for profit, non-profit
and political organizations. Lucas has more than 26 years of experience as a financial analyst, strategic
leader, fundraising and development expert.
Her development expertise began at Spelman College and continues today, as her strategic fundraising
efforts and management of alumnae and student initiatives have produced impressive results. Lucas’
achievements include: Class of 1990 - Outstanding Reunion 2015 Class Gift (largest class gift in 2015);
Class of 1990 - Every Woman... Every Year 66 percent participation (2015); Endowed Scholarships - Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and National Alumnae Association of Spelman College - Atlanta chapter; cochair of NAASC- Atlanta Golf Tournament; sponsored “Say Yes to the White Dress” event which provided
95 dresses for students; hosted SpelHouse parent and legacy meet and greet for class of 2020; True Blue
sponsor of NAASC- Atlanta Annual Scholarship Brunch.
Lucas serves on the board of OurBlackAncestry.com, is the founder of the KENO Foundation, Inc., and
served as chairman of the Botswana American Chamber from 2013 to 2015. In 2002, she was a board
member of the White House HBCU Initiative. She served on the boards of the Southeast Region Planned
Parenthood from 2013 to 2014 and the South Cobb Revitalization committee from 2012 to 2014. She is
a member of various organizations, including Elizabeth Baptist Church, Harvard Business School Club of
Atlanta, Junior League of Atlanta, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Alumnae Association of
Spelman and Jack & Jill of America, Inc.
She earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in
economics from Spelman.
In addition, Lucas published a children’s book, “Before You Arrived,” in 2005. Her article on
philanthropy, entitled "It's Never Too Early to Introduce the Giving Message,” was included in the June
2001 issue of Women's Philanthropy Institute News.
Why you want to serve on the Spelman College Board of Trustees:
From the time that I hit Spelman's gates in 1986, the mission and values have contributed to my
development of strong character, confidence and commitment to excellence. Remembering "Our whole
school for Christ,” "A Choice to Change the World,” and Dr. Campbell's theme of equality, provides
elements to my foundation from which I proudly draw upon in my journey. What Spelman does, whom
we serve, how we serve and why we serve are more critical today than ever before. The mission and
values are the primary reason why I want to serve. The mission and values are the primary reason why I
seek this position.
Your engagement with Spelman as an advocate, donor and volunteer:
I have supported the College through my giving every year since graduating in 1990 and remain focused
on giving at the highest level that I can personally afford. I led our class fundraisings that resulted in the
largest annual gift to the College to date of nearly $300,000, and set participation records of nearly 70
percent during our 25th Reunion. I have recruited leadership level gifts for the College and am
passionate about the fundraising efforts to sustain Spelman's worldwide prominence as an institution
for academic excellence.
Initiatives have you taken to promote Spelman to the outside community:
As a strong advocate for the College and students, I created the Blue Diamond Awards in Michigan for
two years. The outcomes were to a.) Promote awareness of Spelman and her academic programs in a
community that has strong competitors for our talent, and b.) Highlight the need for scholarships to an
audience of business and civic leaders in metropolitan Detroit. Event proceeds established the Midwest
Scholarship Fund, which has benefited selected students for eight years. The event format introduced
members of the Office of Institutional Advancement to prominent Detroit business leaders and potential
donor prospects.