Susan MacLaren is an entrepreneur who has provided small business and nonprofit consulting in the Seattle area for the last decade. She provides thoughtful communications, leadership, business development, management, design, and strategic planning to help her clients thrive.

Since 2020, Susan has worked with the UW Communication Leadership Program to develop and manage a student-run consulting agency to connect students with applied learning opportunities in communications with small business and nonprofit clients. She has made meaningful connections across industries for the department, and has identified challenging applied learning projects for students in volunteer and paid positions.

Susan grew up in the midwest and has a work history centered on community building and service. She holds a BA in Fine Art Photography and graduated from the University of Washington with a Master’s Degree in Communications.

When she’s not busy at work or school, Susan is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys road trips, hiking with her dogs, reading a good book in a hammock, and tent camping in all types of weather.