As the daughter of German immigrants who came to this country seeking a better life after World War II, Suzanne Kelley witnessed the hard work and dedication needed to start and grow a successful business firsthand. “My parents started an importing business in the basement of the home in which I grew up,” she said. “I saw how that business provided a good life for our family.”
After working in Corporate America for more than two decades, Kelley saw how a large company can positively impact thousands of individuals and their families. In her role as the president and CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance, she can see business as a force for good more than ever.
The Waukesha County Business Alliance is a Chamber of Commerce with a mission to drive economic growth and the make Waukesha County the best place to do business. “There are many Titans within the Alliance and these companies are the engine that keeps our economy running,” said Kelley. “They create jobs, products and services that sustain our quality of life and they are stepping in with innovative solutions to help some of our most challenging issues, such as childcare, transportation and workforce housing.”
According to Kelley, simply going to work each day ignites her passion for the Alliance. “I’m inspired by all of the amazing things happening at our member businesses and connecting with my team also provides an incredible amount of positive energy,” she said. “It’s gratifying to work toward and achieve shared goals and it’s important to enjoy, respect and trust your teammates.”
By embracing these passions as the president and CEO, Kelley has helped the Waukesha County Business Alliance experience steady growth with membership and revenues while reaching a retention rate of member companies over 91 percent.
“Suzanne is a Titan because she is a trusted leader who has the skills to bring competitors together to work for common causes,” said her colleagues. “She is not afraid of failure and this allows her to experiment with different approaches to tackle the important issues facing businesses today.”
Simply put, Kelley is known for getting things done for the betterment of the entire community, said her staff. Her efforts include launching multiple employer collaboratives and serving as a resource for business leaders.
“She shows up every day to get things done, engage in crucial conversation, tackle different issues facing businesses and goes home each night to spend time with her family,” said her staff. “She has shown us how important it is to make family a priority while still holding a valuable role in the community.”
For her unwavering commitment to economic growth, Kelley has been named a Titan.
