Susan MacLaren is a communications strategist, educator, and entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience supporting small businesses and nonprofits in the Seattle area. Her work centers on helping organizations thrive through thoughtful communication, leadership development, business strategy, and design.

Since 2020, Susan has been a faculty member with the UW Communication Leadership Program, where she launched and manages the program’s student-run consulting agency. Through this initiative, she connects graduate students with applied learning opportunities that bridge classroom knowledge with real-world client challenges. She also teaches the graduate internship course, guiding students as they connect academic learning with professional practice and reflect on their growth as leaders in communication. Through both roles, she has established strong cross-industry partnerships and curated a diverse range of applied projects that provide students with valuable professional experience in both volunteer and paid positions.

Susan’s career has consistently reflected her commitment to community building and service. She holds a BA in Fine Art Photography and a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Washington, experiences that shaped her creative approach to problem-solving and her belief in the power of storytelling to create change.

Outside of her work with students and clients, Susan is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys long road trips, hiking with her dogs, reading in a hammock, and tent camping year-round, rain or shine.