Dr. Denise Lucy Named Women of Industry Community Benefit Leader by San Rafael Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Denise Lucy, Professor of Business and Organizational Studies in the Barowsky School of Business and Executive Director of Dominican’s Institute for Leadership Studies, received the 2023 Women of Industry Community Benefit Leader award from the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce during its annual Women of Industry ceremonies this week. Dr. Lucy was selected from a list of 10 outstanding nominees in the not-for-profit category.
 
Dr. Lucy has more than 40 years of experience in higher education as an educator and executive. She has held numerous leadership roles at both Dominican University of California and the University of San Francisco, including Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Liberal and Professional Studies, and Associate Dean.
 
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Dr. Lucy is actively involved in the Marin community, serving in leadership roles on various non-profit boards, including as a Board member (and former Board Chair) of 10,000 Degrees and as a member of the MarinHealth Medical Center Operating Board of Directors.
 
Among the honors Dr. Lucy has received since joining Dominican in 1993 are the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame and Magnificent Women of Marin Award, USF’s Griffin Award, and USF’s Merit Award, Outstanding Business Professor Award, Outstanding Research Award and Outstanding Service in Barowsky School of Business,  and Dominican’s Presidential Medallion and Sr. Aquinas Nimitz Distinguished Service Award. 
 
"Since Dr. Denise Lucy welcomed me to campus more than a decade ago, I have been deeply impressed—and my heart has been warmed—by her profound and total life-dedication to Dominican and the greater community in which we work,” says Dominican University of California President Nicola Pitchford.
 
“Her grace, energy, belief in our students, and creativity are a joy to work alongside. The connections she forges between Dominican students and hands-on work experiences with community partners, her advocacy for women, and her talents as a connector between like-minded people are an enormous blessing to our university, Marin County, and to me personally. She lives gratitude and gives all those around her reason to do so too."
 
Dr. Lucy serves as Executive Director for Dominican’s leadership development center: The Institute for Leadership Studies (ILS). She teaches and consults in leadership and team development, organizational change, negotiation and conflict management, business communications, business and society, corporate social responsibility, and civic engagement. The Leadership Lecture Series, in partnership with Book Passage, actively engages the community on topics related to individual, organizational and/or social change inspired by effective leadership from the domains of arts and sciences, business, entertainment, literature, pop culture, politics, and government. 

Through ILS, Dr. Lucy developed The Business Edge, a briefing series for businesses and organizational leaders highlighting cutting-edge business strategies and techniques for businesses to be resilient and competitive in the domestic and global business environments. The program is a dedicated partnership with the North Bay Leadership Council.
 
In recognition of Dr. Lucy’s award, Congressman Jared Huffman noted: “As Director of the Institute of Leadership Studies at Dominican University of California, Dr. Lucy has improved the quality of life for countless students. Her contributions to promoting and providing high quality education is directly impacting our future workforce and expanding economic vitality in the region.”

Dr. Lucy also  is a founding member of Dominican’s Women Leadership and Philanthropy Council (WLPC), whose mission is to advance women’s leadership development and philanthropy. WLPC is a diverse group of women from Marin and around the Bay Area whose vision, energy, and contributions of time, treasure and talent impact organizations and communities.