Susan Pettyjohn joined Washburn McGoldrick in 2016 after 26 years in higher education advancement work at William & Mary and Appalachian State University.

Since joining Washburn McGoldrick, Susan has worked with both public and private colleges and universities as well as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. She currently serves as lead council for the College of Charleston and Christopher Newport University and co-council for Rollins College.

Other clients she has served include Western Carolina University, St. Catherine University, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Towson University, Wheaton College (MA), Denison University, Virginia State University, Grinnell College, Vassar College, Ohio University, Ohio 4H, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Grinnell College, University System of Maryland Foundation, and the University of North Carolina System.

Her counsel includes feasibility studies, program assessments, campaign planning, training and coaching for major gifts as well as managers of fundraisers, workshops for academic and administrative leaders as well as leadership volunteers, strategic planning for institutionally related foundations, and development of programs for women philanthropists.

Susan also has been an instructor for the company’s Intensives training program for major gifts, deans, and volunteer leaders. Most recently she has been part of the team that developed the on-line version of Intensives and is one of the primary instructors.

Susan’s passion for women leaders in advancement as well as in philanthropy gave her the opportunity with her colleague, Senior Consultant Carme Williams, to develop and lead Washburn McGoldrick’s new workshop, Advancement Leadership for Women.

During her time at William & Mary from 1990 until 2007, Susan oversaw all areas of development and was the primary administrator for the William & Mary Endowment Association. Susan became interim vice president in 2005 and during this time, she was instrumental in the successful conclusion of the $500M Campaign for William & Mary in 2006.

In 2007, Susan became the Vice Chancellor for Advancement at Appalachian State University. While at Appalachian State, she led the assessment and reorganization of the Advancement office as well as the planning and implementation that culminated in the successful conclusion of the $200M Campaign for Appalachian, Making a Difference in the World, One Student at a Time. Her leadership of the ASU Foundation as President helped to develop a strong and vital board of directors and a more effective strategy for investing.

Susan received a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from William & Mary. She serves on the Development Board for the School of Education at William & Mary and is a member of the Society of 1918, William & Mary’s women in philanthropy program.

Susan lives in the Tidewater area in Virginia off the Chesapeake Bay and spent many years sailing. She also taught sailing to women for several years. Her passion now is golfing and mostly enjoys the camaraderie and being outdoors.