Biography
Susan Carter Lawrence is a senior executive adept at identifying quality talent and placing, managing, and retaining top professionals in world-class organizations, domestic and overseas, across a broad range of industries and product lines including retail, hospitality, banking/finance, and manufacturing. A leadership expert and executive coach, Susan provides strategic talent management insight and customized organizational development solutions to key decision makers on challenges – cultural and multi-generational – facing companies today.
Since founding Carter & Associates, a retained search and organizational development firm, in 1989, Susan has provided thought leadership, expertise, processes, latest industry tools/techniques, and resources to facilitate the hiring, development, and retention of highly talented, engaged workforces within nine divisions of Fortune 500′s companies.
Building a business based solely on referrals, she developed long-term industry partnerships with major retailers and industry leaders that included David’s Bridal, After Hours Formalwear, and Priscilla’s of Boston (divisions of May Department Stores/Macy’s, Inc.); Lenox, Inc., Dansk International Designs, and Hartmann Luggage (divisions of Brown Forman Corp.); Ethan Allen Inc. (corporate, dealers, and hotel); County Seat (a division of Carson Pirie Scott and Co.); Commonwealth Savings Bank; Learningsmith; and Aeropostale (specialty division of Macy’s, Inc.).
The cornerstone of Susan’s success is the wide range of expertise she possesses. Her retail, corporate, and field management and operations roles have only added to Susan’s innate ability to understand, anticipate, and fulfill her client’s specific needs. As a credible advisor and a successful leadership development executive, she has built award winning teams for new store openings; identified, acquired, and developed salaried and hourly employees at all levels of organizations; and provided succession planning, outplacement, advisory, and transition services for organizations in change.
Smart, strategic, and knowledgeable, Susan has consistently raised the bar in meeting companies’ expectations and performance. She has provided “hands-on” field and corporate hiring and development of highly talented candidates in the retail sector – from jewelry and fashion to furniture, tabletop/crystal, multi-media/books, luggage/fine leather goods, and high-end housewares. One of the first advocates and practitioners of the virtual workplace, Susan recognizes the importance of work/life balance and mentoring in attracting, retaining, and growing talented people.
Previously, Susan worked for Jordan & Jordan, a retained retail search firm, as an independent contractor representing companies that included American Eagle Outfitters, Bed Bath and Beyond, TJ Maxx, Landau Hyman Jewelers, and Trans World Entertainment. In prior retail, corporate, and field management roles in multi-and single unit specialty chains, department stores, and big box environments, Susan worked for companies that included Federated Department Store, U.S. Shoe Corp., and Clothesworks / Jack Winter Designs.
Susan has completed leadership certifications with The Thunderbird School of Global Management and The Disney Institute, as well as an overview in Six Sigma Leadership. She is certified as a Corporate Etiquette/International Protocol Consultant from The Protocol School of Washington, D.C., and has completed business and marketing studies at Milwaukee Area Technical College. She was awarded an HR Generalist certification and is currently enrolled in the Human Resource Certification Institute (HCRI) PHR/SPHR/GPHR certification programs – all taught by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). In addition, Susan has received certifications in Career Planning & Talent Management; Facilitating Organizational Change; Coaching; and “Train the Trainer” from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).
Susan is an active member in American Management Association (AMA); SHRM; the International Coaching Federation (ICF); the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE); and ASTD. She has served in leadership roles within her communities – East Coast and West Coast – in support of improving children’s education.