Susan is a finance veteran in pre-commercial clean technology companies. She is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) and US CPA – Illinois, of 40 years’ experience, with 25 of those years in early-stage cleantech development and commercialization.

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Susan’s skill set includes a broad-based understanding of finance, venture deal structures, taxation & accounting, and diverse economic & business environments. Practical experience includes working as a member of senior management with the board in venture financed start-ups and in merger & acquisition turn-arounds, to solve a wide variety of difficult business challenges faced by early-stage companies, including fundraising, team building and corporate processes.

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In her various roles Susan has been a core team member on financings totaling $330M, raising funds from North American, European and international investors, in addition to $150M in Canadian and US government grants and loans, and Canadian Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SRED).

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Prior to joining Rethink Climate, Susan held positions of CFO and then COO & VP, Accounting at Squamish based Carbon Engineering (direct air capture), CFO at Vancouver-based General Fusion (nuclear fusion), CFO at Quebec City-based Vaperma (membrane technology for ethanol dehydration), and VP Finance and CFO at Vancouver-based Cellex Power Products, (fuel cells for materials handling equipment).

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Susan has a BA in Economics (1982) and a Licentiate in Accounting (1984) from UBC. She obtained her chartered accountant designation (1987) while a member of the audit team at Deloitte and Touche (1984 – 1991).

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From 2011 – 2018 Susan was on the Richmond Public Library board of trustees, including 4 years as Chair / Vice Chair. Other advisory board roles include the BC Library Trustee Association, the Young Investor Program and the Minister’s Advisory Council of Western Economic Diversification WINN program.

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In her spare time Susan enjoys reading, being outdoors, and advancing her science and technology knowledge.