GEO’s Vice President of Non-Residential Reentry Services, Dr. Latoya Lane has been recognized by the Association of Women Executives in Corrections (AWEC) as the 2026 Susan M. Hunter Award recipient. The Susan M. Hunter award recognizes women who mentor, promote, and develop women in the corrections field.
Prior to joining GEO, Dr. Lane held senior leadership positions with the Indiana Department of Correction, the Florida Department of Corrections, and the DC 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 (ACA) Commission on Accreditation for Corrections and the Performance-Based Standards Committee and is a member of several other national professional organizations. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for Make Every day Count, supporting justice-involved individuals. Her previous leadership includes serving as Vice Chair of the ACA Substance Use Disorders Committee and on several ACA committees.
When AWEC established its mentoring program, Dr. Lane 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.
Dr. Lane's nomination letters describe a leader who combines intelligence, humility, and compassion with a deep commitment to helping others succeed. Colleagues consistently praise her ability to inspire confidence, mentor emerging women leaders, and create environments where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve meaningful results. Congratulations Dr. Lane on being selected as the 2026 Susan M. Hunter award recipient.
