“Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about working alongside people, pushing them forward and being grateful for the team that helps bring a vision to life.” — Retired Lt. Col. Pamela Brinkley Lucas
This belief has guided Pamela Brinkley Lucas ’86, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, to be a successful leader throughout a career defined by service and giving back.
After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1986 with a B.S. in biology, she went on to earn a Master of Public Health from Central Michigan University, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Throughout those years of study, Pam spent two decades serving in the Army. Her path took her to Korea and the White House as a communications officer during the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. She was a paratrooper at Fort Bragg and taught at the Army’s Signal School. When it came time to retire from the Army, a Carolina connection gave Pam the confidence to return to civilian life.
“While escorting someone through the Pentagon, he asked me about life after the service,” Pam said. “I confessed I was concerned about finding a job. When he discovered I was a fellow Tar Heel, he offered me a position on the spot. I didn’t end up working for him, and instead helped manage science and technology programs for the Navy at the Office of Naval Research as a civilian, but that connection gave me the confidence I needed.”
Today, Pam channels that same drive into her entrepreneurial ventures. She owns and operates a family business with her children, including her Tar Heel son, Kenny Emberton ’17. Together, they run multiple property management companies, residential group homes, day programs and employment services programs in Virginia and North Carolina, employing nearly 100 staff and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive. Pam, who is a disabled veteran, understands the importance of inclusion and empowerment and built her business around those values.
Recently, Pam found her way back to Carolina through a desire to make more Carolina connections by mentoring students in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, which eventually led her to donating to the 100 Women at UNC Kenan-Flagler program and joining the Carolina Women’s Leadership Program.
“I know how impactful it was for me to have an alum offer to help me transition to the next phase of my life, and now I want to do the same — help people feel comfortable on their journeys.”
Pam lives in Gainsville, Virginia, with her husband, Alex. Her son, Kenny, also lives in northern Virginia, and her daughter, Kerry, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Written by Terzah Dyer
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