As an expert with 20 years of executive-level diversity leadership in public, private, and academic sectors, Dr. Lacy’s expertise focuses on fostering inclusive and equitable environments, with a drive for social and economic development. Dr. Lacy has a track record of building diverse and equitable infrastructures in organizations of all sizes, where her proficiency in change management practices helps her coordinate strategic initiatives and drive organizational growth. Dr. Lacy has always been very active within her community, working with organizations to develop and offer policies that meet the needs of both marginalized constituents and community leaders and has held numerous board positions. Alaysia is the CEO of ABH Solutions, LLC, a consultant firm focusing on sustainable change through organizational development and individual, economic, and global strategies.

In the summer of 2022, Alaysia was appointed by President Joe Biden as the inaugural Chief Diversity and Equity Officer for the Secretary of Labor. She leads the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Orders to further equity in Federal Workforce and provides oversight as subject matter expert on normalizing the implementation of DEIA into the systems that guide the labor market, diversifying the workforce, dismantling historically exclusive systems that perpetuate discrimination in the workplace and embedding equity in the labor field. Alaysia has also been appointed as a Congressional Commissioner for the “Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys” as part of the Commission on Civil Rights.  

In her immediate past role, Alaysia served as the inaugural Deputy Chief Diversity Officer to Governor Ralph S. Northam in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this historic role, she managed the overall operations of the Governor’s cabinet-level Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office. Most notably, she co-created the ONE Virginia plan, a DEI strategic plan for inclusive excellence across 100+ state agencies in Virginia, along with working with leaders to champion the most robust equity agenda in Virginia resulting in historical accomplishments. Alaysia received the 2020 Governor’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach Award for leadership in prioritizing equity in the Commonwealth of Virginia’s COVID-19 pandemic response by helping to improve access to historically marginalized communities.  

Prior to her tenure in government, Alaysia spent 18 years in administration and diversity officer roles in higher education where she established and built the infrastructure of many inaugural offices and advocated for inclusive excellence. 

Alaysia’s academic career includes an earned law degree (Executive Juris Doctor) from Purdue Global Law School, a Master of Public Affairs degree with a concentration in Organizational Development, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a concentration in Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Relations both from Western Carolina University, and graduate coursework for the Certificate of Healthcare Administration from East Carolina University.