Previously, as Washington coordinator for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Suzanne represented the specialized United Nations agency before Congress, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, educators, attorneys and businesses in the United States. She emphasized the importance of intellectual property for growth and development, and advised the leadership of WIPO on relevant congressional activities.
The former chief of staff to three U.S. Representatives over the span of twenty years, Suzanne has a unique perspective on the operations and culture of Congress. She developed and implemented policy objectives, political strategies and operating plans for congressional and district offices; supervised staff; and maintained oversight over communications, correspondence, and legislation. She also served as judiciary counsel to Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL).
During her tenure with Congressman Harry Johnston (D-FL), Suzanne acted as advisor to the Africa Subcommittee of the International Relations Committee, of which Congressman Johnston was Chairman. In that capacity, she supported the Congressman in negotiations with world leaders—including King Hassan I of Morocco, President Mubarak of Egypt, then-Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat—in a series of early back-channel Middle East peace missions.
Suzanne is a graduate of Simmons College in Boston and Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, which she attended at night while working on Capitol Hill.