Susan Gouijnstook joins JFF as our first chief solutions officer. In this new role, Susan will build and scale JFF's new Solutions Group, overseeing the successful delivery of impact-generating programs and initiatives aligned with JFF's strategic goals and objectives.
Susan previously held leadership positions at leading education publishers McGraw Hill and Pearson. Most recently, Susan held the position of senior vice president, innovation strategy, product management, and program management for McGraw Hill's Higher Education portfolio. In that role, she directed strategy, product roadmap, market research, and program management for the education publisher. Specific areas of expertise include:
- Innovation strategy
- Product management
- New product launches
- Leadership
Susan currently serves on the board of the CEELI Institute, a nonprofit organization that works with judges globally and at all levels to promote judicial independence, strengthen judicial integrity, and improve professional competencies. She is also a LearnLaunch Accelerator Mentor, and a founding member of Chief in Chicago.
Susan was drawn to JFF's sterling reputation, its team of brilliant professionals, and its deep commitment to driving transformation of the American workforce and education systems to create equitable educational and economic advancement for all. She is eager to leverage her strengths as a leader and product developer as she works with her team to successfully scale services and solutions that will widen JFF's reach and impact.
Susan lives in Chicago with her husband Jim, children Deven and Amari, and their menagerie of creatures (including a dog, a gecko, a hamster, a couple of snails, a ghost shrimp, and an aquatic frog). Susan enjoys reading, listening to podcasts (The Knowledge Project is a favorite), and visiting Chicago's many great museums.
