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2024 Alumni Service Award

Susan Smith built a remarkable career in consulting and executive management that has allowed her to selflessly donate her time and resources to her alma mater.

A dedicated, generous supporter of the Tepper School of Business, Susan is an Order of the May Society lifetime member; Andrew ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Society Board member (2001–2010), including a term as president; and an ex-officio member of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Board of Trustees (2006-2008). More recently, Susan spent six years on the Tepper Alumni Board, where she led the Collaboration and Awards Committees and served on the Executive Committee.  She is actively engaged with Tepper as an Alumni Board Ambassador and endowed a fellowship at the school in 2023. As part of her many volunteer hours, Susan served as event organizer, panel speaker and reunion committee member.  

Susan received her master of Science with university honors from the Graduate School of Industrial Administration, now the Tepper School of Business, in 1996.  She was unanimously selected by the faculty of GSIA to receive the Elliott Dunlap Smith Award as the top student in her class.  While at GSIA, she was a charter member of the GSIA Toastmasters chapter and co-hosted GSIA Follies in both 1995 and 1996.  

Upon graduation, Susan launched her consulting career with Diamond Technology Partners, where  she became a partner in 2001. Her consulting clients ranged from large financial services and insurance companies to a farm automation startup in Norway. During her time there, she recruited dozens of GSIA and Tepper graduates to join her in the firm. Susan then moved to the payments industry, first as a senior vice president for First Data and then as leader of the integration team for a $1 billion international acquisition at Western Union. She is now retired.

Since 2009, Susan has been a member of Making a Difference Colorado, a group of friends who focus their volunteer and philanthropy efforts on the issues of hunger, homelessness and education in the state. She also volunteers for Parkinson Association of the Rockies and 5280+ Senior Chorales.