To contact Sue Stratton Email: suzystrat@aol.com
Phone: (517) 627-1856
Susan Siers Stratton
Clientele
Work Experience
Academic & Professional Education
Published Articles
Current Membership
Awards
Books That Made a Difference
Special Interests
References
  

Susan S. Stratton, CAE, ARM, MEd

Susan S. Stratton owns Leading Edge Mentoring, a consulting firm which specializes in governance and leadership issues. Stratton's work focuses on the structure and process which impacts effective growth of individuals and organizations.

Since 1985, Stratton has served the association industry as a teacher, facilitator, and executive staff person. She obtained a Master's degree in Education (1977) from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts (1974) from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and professional certifications in association management and insurance.
Clientele - A Partial List

Policy Governance® Consulting

In addition to Public Seminars:
  • Association of College Honor Societies
  • ASU Group, Okemos, MI
  • Berrien Mental Health Authority, Benton Harbor, MI
  • Boulder College of Massage Therapy, Colorado
  • Bowling Centers of Michigan, Inc.
  • Bowling Proprietors Association of America
  • Catholic Youth Organization, Detroit, MI
  • Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, Inc.
  • Charter Township of Meridian , Okemos, MI
  • Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity
  • Electric Drive Transportation Association
  • EMDR International Association
  • Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, WI
  • General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church, Evanston, IL
  • Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA
  • Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society
  • Keystone Community Church, Ada, MI
  • Kwantlen University College, Vancouver, BC,
  • Michigan Library Consortium
  • Michigan Society of Planning
  • Monroe County CMH Authority
  • National Council on Family Relations
  • North Central CMH Authority, Cadillac, MI
  • Painting & Decorating Contractors of America
  • Unitarian Universalist Association

 

  

Strategic Planning and Vision Facilitation Services, including:

  • Comprehensive School Health Coordinators Association of Michigan
  • Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Habitat for Humanity of Michigan
  • Home Builders of Livingston County
  • Howell Education Foundation
  • Lansing Community College Foundation
  • Life Insurance Association of Michigan
  • Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants
  • Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers
  • Michigan Future Foundation
  • Michigan Podiatric Medical Association
  • Michigan State University, Human Environment and Design, College of Human Ecology
  • Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
  • SE Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

 

Governance Consulting and Elected Leader Workshops

  • Associated Food Dealers of Michigan
  • Batterer Intervention Services Coordinators of Michigan
  • Engineering Society of Detroit
  • Genesee County Community Mental Health
  • Ohio Association of Community Colleges
  • School Community Health Alliance of Michigan
  • Michigan Townships Association

International Activity

  • Kwantlen University College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Policy Governance consulting)
  • Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce, Ontario, Canada (governance audit)
  • Technical Assistance in Marketing and Member Benefit Packages through AMIR 2.0 to:
    • Jordan Intellectual Property Association
    • Jordan Business and Professional Women’s Forum
    • American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan
    • Jordan Garment, Accessories and Textile Association
    • Jordan In-bound Tour Operators Association
    • Young Entrepreneurs Association

Other Services

  • American Society of Appraisers (facilitation of dialogue)
  • Association of Community College Trustees (Board services consultant)
  • Kappa Omicron Nu (educational project development)
  • Michigan Business & Professional Association (educational curriculum development)
  • Michigan State Medical Society (Open Space facilitation for departments & affiliates)
  • Michigan Insurance Bureau (audit services)
  • Michigan Society of Association Executives (educational project development)
  • Michigan Townships Association (educational project development)
  • Ohio Association of Community Colleges (outsourced education director)
  • School Community Health Alliance of Michigan (governance and management consulting)

 

Distance Education Development

  • New Employee Orientation for Insurance Agency Personnel, (5 course series) sponsored by multiple insurance trade associations
  • CAE Examination Preparation, sponsored by MSAE
  • Carver Board Orientation, sponsored by Kappa Omicron Nu
  • Self-Managed Mentoring, sponsored by Kappa Omicron Nu www.kon.org/mentoring
  • Reflective Human Action, sponsored by Kappa Omicron Nu, (in development-based in part on the work of Robert Terry and Margaret Wheatley
Work Experience
 
2003-Current Partner, Partners in Policy Governance®, a collaboration to support Policy Governance practitioners.
1996-Current Owner, Leading Edge Mentoring, building capacity in governance, leadership and management
1996-Current Partner, Managing Education Resource Group, President of the Insurance Division
1997-1998 SIAA-Midwest Regional President, Satellite Insurance Agency Alliance, developing an alternative distribution system for insurance in the region.
1987-1996 Professional Insurance Agents of Michigan/Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (a consolidated organization), representing independent property & casualty insurance agents. Position: Education Director/#2 Executive from 1987-1991, Sr. Vice President for Professional Development from 1991-1996 for merged organization.
1986-1987 Michigan Association of Insurance Companies, Communications Director
1985-1986 The Bishop Company, Technical Writing Support & Marketing Specialist
1984-1985 Maternity Leave
1980-1984 Stratton-Cheeseman Management Company, Medical Malpractice and General Insurance Field Sales
1974-1980 Teacher, Jr. High, St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing, Michigan (1977-1980), Holy Rosary Academy, Bay City, Michigan (1974-1977). Focus: English Literature, Grammar & Composition
Academic & Professional Education
 
1974 Bachelor of Arts, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan Major: Communication Arts, Minor: English and Education
1977 Masters in Education in Individualized Instruction, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota
1981 Certified Insurance Counselor, Society of Certified Insurance Counselors
1991 Associate in Risk Management, Insurance Institute of America
1991 Certified Association Executive, American Society of Association Executives (mastery of knowledge in 13 areas of association management)

1994-1997
2000-2003

 Re-certified CAE
1999 Graduate, Policy Governance® Academy
2006 Certification for Spiral Dynamics (slated for June 2006)
Current Membership

 

  • American Society of Association Executives, member of International Council
  • Church of St. Michael, Grand Ledge, Michigan, active member of Pastoral Council, Stewardship Commission and Choir
  • International Policy Governance Association
  • Michigan Society of Association Executives
  • Michigan Business & Professional Association
  • National Register's Who's Who: Executives & Professionals, 2003-2004
    		•
    Awards
    • MSAE Diamond Award, Supplier/Partner Personal Award, in recognition of exemplary service and support to the not-for-profit professional and to MSAE, September, 2003.
    • MSAE Chairman's Gavel Award, presented by Jim Barrett, CEO of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, for dedicated service to the profession proven by advancing the ideals and aspirations of the Chairman of the Board, July, 2001.
    • 2001 Woman of the Year, ABWA Seven Islands Charter Chapter, January 2001
    Special Interests

  • Vocal and keyboard music
  • Reading books that paint a theoretical framework for application in organizations.
    • Published Articles
    • Jan 2006, Associations Now Do's and Don'ts of Board Staff Relationships
    • Sept/Oct 2005, The Corporate Board Board Orientation and Board Culture

    Trustee Quarterly, Governance Column, published by the Association of Community College Trustees

    • Spring 2001, Governing Without Fear, page 2
    • Summer 2001, Assets Necessary for Optimal Board Effectiveness
    • Fall, 2001, Escaping the Dangers and Difficulties of the Board’s Routine
    • Fall, 2001 Board Governance Process: Decision-Making in the Board Room
    • Winter, 2001, Thinking Alone or Thinking Together?
    • Spring 2002, Fear and Courage in the Boardroom
    • Summer 2002, The Bottom Line, Governing by Outcomes, page 34
    • Winter, 2002, The Practice of Good Governance: Optimal Board Orientation
    • Spring 2003, The Board is a Workforce, too, page 28
    • Summer 2003, Mapping the Difficult Road Ahead: Leadership’s Role

    Published in Executive IdeaLink, an electronic newsletter for association executives:

    • June 2002, Book Review: Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action
    • October 2002, Book Review: The Argument Culture by Deborah Tannen
    • September 2002, Solution Focused Management: A Process Model for Finding Effective Solutions
    Books that Made a Difference in the World According to Stratton

    Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action, by Robert Terry, c. 1993, published by Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Company, San Francisco
    Boards That Make A Difference, by John Carver, c. 1991, published by Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Company, San Francisco
    Dialogue: The Art of Thinking Together, by William Isaacs, c. 1999, published by Doubleday, a division of Random House, New York, NY.
    Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice & Leadership, by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal, c. 1991, published by Jossey-Bass, Inc., San Francisco, CA
    Spiral Dynamics: mastering values, leadership and change, by Don Beck & Christopher C. Cowan, 1996, Blackwell Publishers, Malden, Massachusetts
    The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny, by William Strauss and Neil Howe, c. 1977, published by Broadway Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.