Susan earned a Ph.D. in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University, an M.S.W. from U.C. Berkeley, and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Colorado. She served as a faculty member at the University of California, the University of San Francisco, the University of Washington, City University of Seattle, Chapman University, Saybrook Graduate School, Notre Dame de Namur University, St. Mary’s College, National University, the University of La Verne, and a number of community colleges in California and Washington.

Her chapter, “How Stories Build Teams and Teamwork” appeared in Wake Me Up When the Data Is Over: How Organizations Use Storytelling to Drive Results. Her chapter, “Living Alone: Puzzles and Polarities” appeared in New Life Options: The Working Woman’s Resource Book. She was the editor of the Lockheed Observer and served as a staff writer for Senior Spectrum, High Technology Careers Magazine, and the Washington Women’s News Journal. She authored articles that appeared in SFGate, Judo Magazine, Countryside Magazine, The San Jose Business Journal, The New Leaders, The Employment Times, The Performance and Instruction Quarterly, and The Fielding Magazine.