Susan is an ecologist and educator who has migrated between research and education–  working as a university Extension agent, conservation land manager and field ecologist. In Chicago, she has created training programs, planned conferences and fostered networks focused on sustainability, climate change and cities. In the field, she has carried out research on chemical cycles in the environment and conducted biological surveys in prairies, forests and urban areas.

Susan has an M.E.S. in ecosystem science and management from Yale University and a B.A. in environmental studies from the University of Kansas.