AWEC President Dr. Wendy Williams and the Executive Committee are pleased to announce Dr. Latoya Lane as the 2026 Susan M. Hunter award recipient. Susan M. Hunter devised this award to recognize women who mentor, promote, and develop women in the corrections field.
Dr. Lane currently serves as Vice President of Non-Residential Reentry Services for the GEO Care Division of The GEO Group. Prior to joining GEO, she held senior leadership positions with the Indiana Department of Correction, the Florida Department of Corrections, and the District of Columbia Department of Corrections. She earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and African American Studies, a master’s degree in Family Services, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice.
Her professional contributions extend well beyond her executive role. Dr. Lane is an active member of the Association of Women Executives in Corrections and currently serves as Co-Chair of the AWEC Mentoring Committee, where she has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission of “Each One…Teach One.” She also serves on the American Correctional Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Corrections and the Performance-Based Standards Committee and is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for Make Every Day Count, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting justice-involved individuals. Her previous leadership includes serving as Vice Chair of the ACA Substance Use Disorders Committee and as a member of the ACA Healthcare, Awards, Constitution and Bylaws, and Nominating Committees. Throughout her career, she has consistently used her leadership, expertise, and influence to strengthen both our profession and the people within it.
When AWEC established its mentoring program, Latoya immediately volunteered to help build it. Since then, she has become one of the driving forces behind its success. While many members may never realize the countless hours she invests behind the scenes, they have experienced her impact through a welcoming email, an encouraging phone call, a thoughtful invitation to become a mentor or mentee, or simply by knowing there is someone genuinely invested in their success.
Dr. Lane’s commitment to serving others extends beyond executive leadership. She is also an accomplished author whose books—including Daddy’s Coming Home, Mommy’s Coming Home, Seasons Inside the Walls: A Survival Guide, and The Other Side: You Are Not Alone—have provided hope, encouragement, and practical guidance to incarcerated individuals, returning citizens, and their families. Through her writing, she continues her life’s mission of helping others believe in themselves and build brighter futures.
Latoya’s many nomination letters state:
- “She possesses a rare combination of intelligence, humility, compassion, and authentic joy. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she has an extraordinary ability to inspire confidence in others.”
- “True leadership is defined by how an executive treats their peers and empowers their teams. Dr. Lane is a trusted confidant to fellow executives and an intentional mentor to emerging women correctional leaders”
- “She shows up for people in their most difficult moments, celebrates their successes as if they were her own, and consistently reminds others of their worth and potential.
- “She has the unique ability to balance kindness with accountability, creating an environment where people feel supported while remaining focused on high standards and meaningful results.”
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Latoya Lane as the 2026 Susan Hunter Awardee.