Susan Zhu
About Susan Zhu
Susan Zhu serves as the Senior Strategic Projects Manager and Chief of Staff to the CBO at Merit America, where she focuses on creating career pathways for working adults. She has a diverse background in law, education, and impact investment, with previous roles at Ropes & Gray LLP, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, and Harvard University.
Work at Merit America
Susan Zhu serves as the Senior Strategic Projects Manager and Chief of Staff to the Chief Business Officer (CBO) at Merit America. She has been with the organization since 2022, focusing on creating pathways to skilled careers for working adults who do not possess four-year college degrees. In her role, she plays a crucial part in connecting Merit America with potential employers, facilitating the hiring of learners, and organizing mock interviews. Additionally, she is involved in strategic projects aimed at addressing the issue of underemployment in the United States by aligning skills training with the needs of employers.
Previous Experience at Ropes & Gray LLP
Before her current position, Susan Zhu worked as a Litigation & Enforcement Attorney at Ropes & Gray LLP from 2016 to 2020. During her four years at the firm in Boston, Massachusetts, she gained experience in legal practices related to litigation and enforcement, contributing to her expertise in navigating complex legal environments.
Education and Expertise
Susan Zhu holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Harvard Law School. She has also completed the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program at Harvard Business School Online, where she studied Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Accounting. Additionally, she earned an A.B. in Government from Harvard University. This diverse educational background equips her with a strong foundation in both legal and business principles.
Background in Education and Research
Susan Zhu has a background in education and research, having worked as a Special Education Teacher with Teach For America in the Alum Rock Union School District from 2011 to 2013. She also served as a Research Assistant at the Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, focusing on prison reform for one month in 2014. Earlier in her career, she was a Research Assistant for the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University from 2008 to 2009.
Impact Investment Role
From 2020 to 2022, Susan Zhu worked as an Impact Investment Associate at the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts. In this role, she contributed to initiatives aimed at fostering social impact through investment strategies, further enhancing her expertise in aligning financial resources with social objectives.