- Consultant to thousands of nonprofits across North America over the last 25 years, Susan previously served as a board member, development director and executive director.
- Susan speaks, trains and consults nationally, due to her reputation for offering simple solutions to complex, systemic problems, delivered with stories, humor and chocolate.
- Susan facilitates several board retreats each month, helping nonprofits create strategic plans and adopt more strategic leadership and fundraising models. Funders (like community foundations and United Ways) and state and national associations engage Susan to lead highly interactive training sessions.
- Core faculty since 1990 in the 9-month Fundraising Certificate Program at the University of Washington, Susan received UW’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2004. She’s taught courses on boards, fundraising and grantwriting at a dozen other colleges throughout the Northwest.
- Susan’s books have helped thousands of organizations solve complex problems with simple actionable solutions — Boards on Fire: Inspiring Leaders to Raise Money Joyfully (Word & Raby, 2010) and Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals (Word & Raby, 2016), co-authored with Renee Bourque.
- Susan has spent decades investing in regional professional associations (AFP Advancement NW and Puget Sound Grantwriters Assn.), speaking regularly at conferences, acting as administrator and board member, and mentoring hundreds of colleagues. This legacy was recognized in 2001 when AFP granted Susan their Lifetime Professional Achievement Award.
- Originally from Montana, Susan has lived in Seattle since 1975. She’s happily married, has two grown children, and spends her non-work time gardening, rowing crew, and serving on the boards of social justice organizations.