Susan attended Indiana State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. Upon graduation, she joined the Zehren team, eventually assuming her current position of Principal in 2015. Her childhood experiences of holiday skiing in the Vail Valley attracted her to make it her home while working at Zehren. She has an intense dedication to her clients and her projects which is one of the many attributes that she contributes to the success of her projects.
Susan has been a major contributor to many projects during her time at Zehren, including the Westin Spa & Lodge in Avon, CO, Stowe Mountain Lodge and Retail Buildings in Stowe, VT, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Educational Center in Vail, CO, along with numerous high profile residential projects throughout Colorado and the United States. While in the office, Susan takes full responsibility in running the Interiors department, writing project proposals, mentoring fellow staff members, and balancing each project with her strong attention to detail, organization, and knowledge of budgets. The complexity and challenges that are presented by each project intrigue Susan to push herself as a designer and allows her to explore the full potential of the space. A philosophy of hers is that the design of a project is not about the designer’s taste or interest – it’s about the client; a designer should guide them while providing professional knowledge to achieve their goal.
Outside of the office, Susan participates in a variety of outdoor activities with her friends and family, including trail running, snowboarding, mountain biking, and camping. Early morning trail running helps her attain a clear mind and a fresh perspective on how to tackle the design challenges she is presented with each day. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and family pets.