Over the course of her career, Donna has earned a reputation as a smart, strategic and successful communications consultant and businesswoman.
About Donna
Since opening Lucas Public Affairs in 2006, Donna has grown the firm into a team of accomplished public affairs professionals who work collaboratively with clients on many of the major public policy challenges facing the state in energy, environment, health care, higher education, technology, tourism and more. At LPA, Donna provides strategic counsel to each of the firm’s clients ranging from business and financial institutions to nonprofit organizations, foundations and government entities.
Over her 30-year career, Donna has held senior executive positions in both the public and private sectors. She served as deputy chief of staff for strategic planning and initiatives for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and chief of staff to First Lady Maria Shriver. Donna also served as deputy press secretary for Gov. George Deukmejian, deputy treasurer for state Treasurer Tom Hayes, and California press secretary for the 1988 presidential campaign of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush.
Donna was the global and public affairs practice leader for Porter Novelli, an international PR firm, after Porter Novelli acquired Nelson Communications Group, where she served as president and CEO for several years.
Donna is a graduate of the University of Southern California in Journalism. She resides in Sacramento with her husband Greg Lucas, California’s State Librarian.
Community and Civic Involvement
- Chair of the Board of Directors, California Chamber of Commerce
- Board Member, Maria Shriver’s Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement
- Vice Chair, College Futures Foundation
- Board Member, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- Board Member, John Burton Advocates for Youth
- Board Member, Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Leadership Council
- Founder and Board Member, SheShares
- Former Chair and Member, Public Policy Institute of California
- Sacramento Metro Chamber’s 2018 “Business Woman of the Year”
- Routinely named one of Sacramento’s most powerful and influential people in Capitol Weekly’s annual “Top 100”