Hello.
True story:
When I was in fifth grade, I entered a contest on the back of a Kellogg’s cereal box: create an ad touting the benefits of eating a good breakfast. I may not have won, but I have known what I wanted to be since I was 11.
In a Nutshell: Lakefront-lover, city-dweller, writer’s-writer, girl-mom.
Six-Word Memoir: “Born a cheerleader. Married a rocker.”
Nickname: “The go-to”. As in “go to Susie. She'll write it/spin it/solve it.”
Superpower: Mentoring.
Passion: jogging - rain, snow, sleet, or shine.
Two truths and a lie:
1. I hold my high school class record for doing the most back handsprings in a row (10).
2. I am ambidextrous.
3. I auditioned for Jeopardy in 2022.
Experience:
September 2022 – January 2025
Creative Director, Copywriter: Unlock Health/SPM Group Chicago
Dedicated to raising the bar in healthcare creative. Made smart, memorable work that touched people’s
hearts, resulting in campaigns that outperformed key success metrics, over 30 national and international healthcare awards, and over-the-moon clients.
Clients: Emory Healthcare, Nebraska Medicine, Shallowford Wellness, SIU Medicine, UChicago Medicine, University of Iowa Health Care & Virtua Health.
June 2022 – September 2022
New Business Relationship Builder: Cornett Lexington
Partnered with CEO. Facilitated introductions to key players in the Chicago ad community, and mined for prospects and teed-up those relationships.
July 2021 – June 2022
Creative Director, Copywriter: Freelance Chicago
Worked on: pitches, activations, manifestos, social, digital, TV, video, radio, print, direct mail.
Clients: Current Global, DoorDash, Iris Worldwide, Kuzma&, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha, Weber Shandwick.
December 2012 - July 2021
Creative Director, Copywriter: BoomAgers Chicago/New York
Key player in starting this agile start-up. Helped create Agency Vision. Member of Leadership Team.
Recruited creative talent. Interfaced with global client teams. Created, strategized and wrote, for all platforms.
Worked on: Always Discreet Global
• Critical team member involved in winning this large P&G global business that was previously at a major agency.
• Launched brand in North America and Europe.
• Partnered with Brand on all phases of client business, from product R&D, to creative research, development and execution, across all mediums, on a global scale.
• Consistently created potent integrated communications that grew the business annually for 6+ years and helped to normalize the adult incontinence category.
• Received high copy-test scores.
• Developed a global production model, that allowed us to create assets for digital, social, TV, print and in-store, in multiple languages, all on a single production.
Also worked on: Cameron’s Coffee, Cheer, Edward’s Frozen Pies, Freschetta Pizza, Pompeian Olive Oil, Red Baron Pizza.
May 2011-December 2012
Copywriter, Freelance: Dentsu/McGarryBowen Chicago
Worked on: Craftsman, Crystal Light, Disney, Fig Newton Fruit Thins, Mondelez, Philly Cream Cheese, Sears.
May 2007-March 2011
Director of Creative Recruiting: DDB Chicago
Searched for and hired stellar talent, and along the way, mentored many young creatives. Created and ran DDBootcamp, a three-day advertising immersion for young talent looking to get into the business.
May 1994-May 2007
Associate Creative Director/Copywriter: DDB Chicago
Worked on: Aveeno, Betty Crocker, Chicago Tribune, DDB Chicago, Hamburger Helper, JCPenney, LensCrafters, McDonald’s, Off the Street Club, Pilkington-Barnes Hind, Safeway, State Farm, SCJ Vanish.
Education
University of Denver
Bob Scarpelli’s conference table