American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

As Practice Building Consultant, Susan coaches Academy Members on all aspects related to setting and accomplishing their business goals. Strategic planning is a cornerstone of this coaching and includes guidance on creating a mission and vision for their firm, as well as setting short-term and long-term goals. Susan is passionate about guiding Members through the process of creating a marketing plan to achieve their goals and reach unprecedented success. Members also rely on her coaching on various strategic business decisions such as staffing, compensation, personal consultation skills, expansion, partnerships, and other leadership-oriented topics. She also enjoys the creative aspects of her role which include creating new training programs, marketing and advertising materials, and other resources for the benefit of the Membership.

Professional Experience

Prior to joining the Academy, Susan served as a Speaker Development Consultant with The Executive Committee (TEC, now Vistage International), an international CEO membership organization. There she spent five years recruiting, developing and scheduling professional speakers to present at monthly CEO member meetings around the country on relevant business building topics. She implemented cost containment practices and managed the department’s $600,000 annual budget. She also handled the department’s employee performance reviews, hiring decisions and resolved personnel issues. Before joining TEC, Susan worked in the employee benefits industry for over five years. There she reviewed new benefit plans and renewal proposals with plan administrators of large and small businesses. She also advised employees on the technical aspects of health, life, disability insurance and other coverage related matters. Susan and her husband, Dave, also own a popular restaurant in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego, where she handles the marketing, bookkeeping and payroll systems.

Education

Susan attended Imperial Valley College and San Diego State University, where she majored in Business Administration. She has had extensive training and coursework in marketing, editing, copywriting, public relations, recruiting, human resources and customer service.

Personal

Born in Oregon and raised in Imperial Valley, an agricultural community in Southern California, she has lived in San Diego for over 20 years. Susan and Dave enjoy the hustle and bustle of activities that go along with raising two energetic sons. After homework, sports activities and family outings, Susan enjoys creating art, reading and spending time in her garden.