These amazing people have some pretty interesting jobs, so we’re bringing you a fun peek into their work-world along with some of their personal facets. This series will be ongoing, so if you have anyone you’d like to nominate as a potential Spotlight feature, put it in the comments, or send us an email. Enjoy!
Spotlight on Suzanne Anderson
Suzanne has been the development director at UMD’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics since 2017.
The BBER relies on Suzanne’s expertise to help with donor partnerships for special initiatives, such as providing scholarships for student researchers.
What does a typical day look like in your job?
Most businesspeople don’t like their days to be full of meetings. But that’s what my day-to-day job entails. And I love it! I spend time meeting with LSBE’s alumni and LSBE donors and potential donors.
What do you like best about your current job?
As I said, my days are spent full of meeting people, but these meetings are actually the building of meaningful relationships with such generous people and connecting passion with possibility.
What about your current job do you find most challenging?
Nothing – I love my job! Any challenges that arise aren’t anything really to mention.
If you could snap your fingers and solve any problem facing our community, what would it be?
Hunger. It’s so hard to come to terms with that we are in 2023, and yet, there are millions of people who go hungry or are starving throughout the world.
What is the most recent thing you’ve read (besides email)?
The LSBE newsletter. Each semester LSBE publishes a wonderful newsletter that showcases students, alumni, faculty, staff and the past happenings. There is so much always going on in LSBE, that I have to read the newsletter to learn more about everything that I’ve heard about and to keep up!
What is something (knowledge or a skill) you would like to learn?
To want to learn to speak Italian because shortly after I was married 30 years ago, my husband and I met a wonderful couple from Rome. They have since moved back home, but we have kept in touch ever since and visited each other in Italy and the states. I would love to be able to speak to them in Italian.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?
Listen 90% of the time. That’s how you build relationships. People want to be heard.
Some of the BBER's past Spotlight features include Michael Darger, Praveen Aggarwal, and Lisa Bodine.