About Susan A. Marshall

Susan A Marshall

Susan A. Marshall is an author, sought-after public speaker, and leadership advisor whose professional experience spans four decades and a global geography. As founder of Backbone Institute, LLC in 2010, she has worked with leaders in the public and private sector, non-profit agencies, and public education advocating for improved competence, confidence and effective risk-taking as keys to greater life satisfaction and appreciation for self and others.

Her corporate and consulting experience includes work with Fortune 100 companies including GM, Apple, GE Healthcare & Global Research, Archer Daniels Midland and Best Buy as well as a wide variety of private enterprises and non-profits such as New York City Leadership Academy and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She led a turnaround of a failing privately held marketing division in the mid-90s and served as an adjunct faculty member for University of Michigan Professor Noel Tichy’s Global Leadership Institute for several years. In addition, Susan wrote the curriculum and taught an MBA Leadership course for Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, WI.

Susan is the author of four books and hundreds of articles. She was a columnist for Wisconsin Woman magazine for eight years and is a frequent contributor to Biz Times Milwaukee. In addition, she has been a guest-lecturer at University of Wisconsin campuses, Marquette University, Alverno College, Concordia University, the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

In her local community, Susan is an instructor for Leadership Waukesha County, a member of Waukesha County Business Alliance Infrastructure committee and chair of the Education Policy committee. She serves as a member of Ixonia Bank Board of Directors and chairs Peer Network Group, a CEO roundtable. In 2019, Susan was honored with the Don Richards Leadership Award, bestowed by the Milwaukee Business Journal to inspire and motivate business people to take community leadership roles.

Susan has two daughters and five granddaughters and resides in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Books by Susan A. Marshall

Mom’s Gone Missing: When a Parent’s Changing Life Upends Yours

How to Grow a Backbone: 10 Strategies for Gaining Power and Influence at Work

Life. Be In It. Words of Wisdom, Humor and Engagement

Of Beauty and Substance: A Backbone Guide for Women