As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we continue to celebrate the exceptional women leaders who have made a lasting impact in the fields of historic preservation, community development, and sustainability. At NTCIC, we are proud to have such dedicated and talented employees who help drive our mission forward. 
In this special feature, we are excited to highlight Suzanne Brown, our Interim President, who assumed the position at the end of December. In this current role, Suzanne manages internal and external relationships including staff, investors, the National Trust, and Board members, leads the organization in setting strategic goals and assessing new lines of business, and oversees operational activities. She also oversees the accounting and administrative functions, NMTC compliance, and human resources.
Suzanne is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Accountancy, Magna Cum Laude, from The George Washington University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.
Join us as we delve into Suzanne’s inspiring journey and learn about her career and journey with NTCIC.
Susan Doyle: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Suzanne Brown: I wanted to be an archaeologist after seeing the King Tut exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York when I was 12. Unfortunately, the sciences weren’t an area that girls were steered toward back then and my interest waned. I took some business classes later in high school and discovered that I loved and was good at accounting so it seemed a natural path for me to take in college. After college, I became a CPA and worked in public accounting.
Susan: How can women better support each other in this industry?
Suzanne: Be kind to one another. We can all rise together!
Susan: How do you achieve work/life balance?
Lauri: I am fortunate that I no longer have young children at home. That makes achieving a work/life balance easier. I am also fortunate to work for an organization that values work/life balance and bringing our entire selves to the workplace. I try not to take work home with me on nights and weekends. Being available for family and friends is of paramount importance.
Susan: What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish that you had known much earlier in your career?
Suzanne:I would say be honest about what you know and what you don’t know. That said, take it upon yourself to constantly learn and be confident with what you do know! And remember that there is always something we can learn – and always something we can teach. Don’t hesitate to mentor someone coming up in the industry.
Suzanne Brown being announced as Interim President at NTCIC’s 20th anniversary party.
Susan: What makes NTCIC a unique place to work?
Suzanne: NTCIC by far, has the most dedicated and collaborative team versus anywhere else I have worked. Everyone is incredibly smart, talented, hardworking, and kind. They really do embrace the team mentality to get the job done and achieve our goals.
Susan: What has been your biggest career or personal achievement?
Suzanne: Being asked to fill the Interim President and CEO role has been the greatest honor of my career. I am humbled that NTCIC’s Board of Directors believed in me and trusted me to take on this responsibility. It would not be possible without the underlying support from our amazing senior management team and staff so I am very grateful for their support. Again, we can all rise together!
Susan: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Suzanne: There’s never a dull moment at NTCIC! I thrive on the impact and variability of not only the work that NTCIC does but also the work that I get to do every day. No two days are alike, which I love!
Susan: What do you like to do outside of work?
Suzanne: Right now, my husband and I are enjoying getting to know the City of Baltimore, where we recently moved after our youngest son graduated high school. We like to walk, bike and explore the many great things the city has to offer like its historic architecture and history making places and its great craft beer scene! We are ready for Spring so we can get out more! We also love being on and near the water and head to the Eastern Share of Maryland whenever we can. Sailing has really become a passion of ours in recent years. It’s so peaceful.