Lisa Lucas is a prominent figure in the American publishing industry, currently serving as Senior Vice President at Penguin Random House and Publisher of Pantheon and Schocken Books. Before assuming this position in 2020, she was the executive director of the National Book Foundation from 2016, the organization that administers the prestigious National Book Award. During her tenure, she was noted for her commitment to promoting diversity in the literary sector and expanding access to books for a broader audience, while also modernizing the foundation's image. Her career also includes serving as the publisher of the online literary magazine *Guernica*. Her appointment to Pantheon marked a historic moment, making her the first Black person to lead the renowned publishing house. She is widely recognized for her work to make literature more inclusive and representative of contemporary society.