Suzanne Puryear

Suzanne is President of The Planning Council, a regional nonprofit organization that plans, develops and manages human services programs. Prior to joining The Planning Council, Suzanne served as the Director of the Department of Human Services for the City of Norfolk, administered community-based programs for a private child-serving company, and provided consulting and facilitation services to local governments and nonprofit agencies to increase organizational capacity and effectiveness.

Suzanne has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Masters of Public Administration from Old Dominion University. She is an alumna of the Senior Executive Institute of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, University of Virginia, and CIVIC Leadership Institute. She serves on various community boards, including Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, YMCA of South Hampton Roads, Tidewater Pastoral Counseling, as well as Together We Can Foundation and Hampton Roads Community Foundation. She is a past President of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children and the National Association of Planning Councils.

“We are pleased to have Suzanne join our Board,” said John Kownack, Executive Director. “She brings a wealth of experience to our board and I know she will help us do great things.”