Susanne L. Cole was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Pressley Ridge in 2011. In this role, she is responsible for overall leadership for the strategic direction, fiscal, operational, and administrative management of the organization.
Susanne has devoted her career to serving our most vulnerable children and families in our communities. She is passionate about helping those that face challenges reach their full potential. She began her career with Pressley Ridge in 1990 working directly with children and families in one of the many programs Pressley Ridge operates. Through the years, she has held a number of roles with increasing responsibility, including Executive Director of West Virginia and Virginia; Senior Vice President of Programs; and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer.
Susanne’s career path has allowed her to experience the many facets of social services and community work from the ground level of operations through administration, policy and management. This has allowed her to develop expertise in the areas of Strategic Planning, Board Governance, Management/Leadership Development, Financial Planning, Program Operations, Marketing/Communications, Quality Improvement and Fundraising/Development.
Susanne holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA as well as a Master’s in Special Education and Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
Susanne is an active member of the following associations:
- International Women’s Forum – Pittsburgh Chapter
- Leadership Pittsburgh XXXII Graduate
- National Center for Community-Based Child Welfare
- The National Alliance for Children and Families
- Texas Alliance for Children and Family Services
Susanne has recently received the following honors:
- Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Leadership Award, Large Employer 2023
- Mental Health of America Southwestern PA Chapter – Advocacy Award 2021
- Smart 50 Award Honoree 2021
- Fox Rothschild Outstanding CEO’s and Top Executives Award Recipient 2018
- Arthur Gallagher Smart 50 Awards Winner 2017 – Sustainability Category
- Pittsburgh Business Times 2017 Businesswomen First Award