Suzanne started working in the nonprofit sector in 2003 and has been with the Xerces Society since 2009. She is the main contact person for individual donors regarding their donations and planned giving. She came to the organization after completing her master's degree in public administration from Portland State University, where she focused on nonprofit development and grant writing.

Suzanne lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two young children, Oscar and Lenora. As a family they spend a lot of time exploring local parks or hanging out in their yard, which is located in a unique community with small urban farms. Their large lot has a small orchard and provides habitat for birds, rabbits, pollinators, and native frogs.