An Incredible 38-Year Career – Susan Lewis
S
usan Lewis is a true Bruin, and her incredible 38-year career is proof of that. She started off with Team Alumni, where she made important leadership contributions to Government Relations, Travel, and Marketing. In 2013, she hopped over to what was then called University Communications and Public Outreach (now known as Strategic Communications), and later joined the Development team. During her time there, she led the creation of comprehensive giving websites. In 2022, she took on the role of Senior Director for Alumni Strategic Initiatives, where she played a big part in bringing the Bruin Promise website to life and establishing campus partnerships to support the Alumni Strategic Plan. Susan’s dedication to teamwork and achieving shared success has made her an exceptional colleague.
I first want to say, thank you, Susan! Thank you for your presence, energy and contributions to Team Alumni and the Bruin Promise! It has been wonderful getting to know you this year and I appreciate all of your support of our staff and projects. While we will miss you, we also celebrate this incredible milestone! I wish you much love, joy, and laughter in this next chapter of your journey! Congratulations!!
– Denise Pacheco
Congratulations Susan!!!
– Joseph Maddela
Susan — though we’ve only worked together briefly, it’s clear you are a force of nature. I appreciate your leadership and ability to take concepts and turn them into outcomes!
– Alexandra Brown
Dear Susan,
How very fitting we’ll end our professional journey together at the same place it started. I remember the first time I met you in the Founder’s Room at the James West Alumni Center. It was August of 1994 and I was immediately drawn to your knowledge, patience and kindness.
You helped me launch my career at UCLA, and we have been through so many adventures together over the years. I especially treasure the memories from our cultural programs in the late 90’s. I am very grateful to have you as a co-worker and friend.
If you move from LA, I’ll come find you! This is not a good bye. Thank you for being such a big part of my life and for being who you are. You are a one-in-a-million, and I am blessed to have known you for almost 30 years.
– Love, Christel Aragon
What an incredible career at a very special place. You did an amazing job for UCLA. I will always treasure my time with our JWAC family. All the best, Susan. Time to enjoy a victory lap.
– Brian Logue
Congratulations, Susan, on such an amazing career! UCLA has been so fortunate to benefit from your expertise, your passion and your commitment. You were always such a great colleague, partner, and friend – I will always treasure our time working together. Enjoy this next chapter!
– Marci Gordon
Susan! Congratulations on taking this next step in your life. THANK YOU for always being such a lovely person to collaborate with. I feel lucky to have been able to do so as part of the StratComm team and then with both of us working together after the big divorce. I wish you nothing but the best, you will always be one of my favorites!
– Joshua Gonzalez
My working relationship and friendship with Susan has grown astronomically since 1991. At first, it seemed like you couldn’t find two people more unalike, and as the years unfolded, we found that we were unalike in all the unimportant ways, and so alike in all the most meaningful ways. Susan became a source of support, encouragement, and trust in ways I never imagined possible. And, I found that if I could just shut up long enough, I could even learn from her!
My golden moment memory was when Susan, Hellen Hom, and I would work after hours, music blaring, and we’d come out of our offices for an impromptu lipsynch of Cher or Diana Ross & The Supremes. Such joyful moments. And we were kicking ass on the work. You look around UCLA Alumni Association today, you probably have something to thank Susan, her colleagues, and her team for dreaming, inventing, launching, delivering, and stewarding.
Susan has been part of my journey to Idyllwild Arts, to Caltech, and … who knows what’s next? But since we both have the same retirement destination in mind, I suspect we’re going to be siblings for life. Congratulations, Susan, and enjoy!
– Mark Davis
I, a cowgirl from Montana, have wonderful memories with Susan, a girl from Washington State who knows how to stay in her saddle but she’s also a very private person, so I will just share in a general way. Many of them however make me laugh my head off. As colleagues for several decades, Susan and I used to trade stories, work through problems, talk religion and politics yet still get along – and this very often late at night in the office, when everybody else was probably in bed. People – you don’t know what you were missing – or maybe you do, as Susan has a wide circle of friends among her colleagues and I feel lucky to have been one… Susan, you know who you are to me – a monolith of service to this university, a woman of integrity I am grateful to know and a great human being whom I love. Thank you for inviting me to your retirement party; I would not want to miss the opportunity to formally wish you “bon voyage” from UCLA as well as optimal health and interesting stops in this new chapter of your ongoing “excellent adventure.”
– With respect, Cia Ford
Susan: I’m so happy to hear that you will be joining me soon in the “”Land of Retirement!”” It’s wonderful to wake up each day and decide what ‘you’ want to do. Thank you for all of the wonderful advice and help that you so generously shared with me when I began my career at UW. Your help was very much appreciated and helped me get a secure footing in directing the UW travel program. Susan, you were just so much fun to get to know! And I loved our travels together. Specifically, I will never forget our 3-night trip to Europe where one day was spent traveling on the Boeing small, private jet. That was such a special opportunity that never happened again. I wish you all the very best in your next life adventures. My hope is that our paths cross again. Maybe in Seattle or Bellingham?
– Big hugs to you!! love, Pauline Ranieri
Dear Susan,
It’s been twenty-three years since we first met. We started as colleagues, and then you became my supervisor and mentor. Now, we’re back to colleagues, but more importantly, friends who feel like sisters. Retirement means closing the door on a lifestyle to embrace a new direction. With so many new adventures ahead of you, it may be tempting to walk away and never look back. But you will always hold a place in my heart. Remember me and how much I love you so we can be besties forever.
– Estellaleigh Franenberg
Dear Susan,
Best wishes to you in a well-deserved retirement. Thank you for your guidance and mentoring early in my career. I am forever grateful for the groans and laughter we shared over the years.
– In sincerity and respect,
Sharon Van Bruggen
Congratulations on your retirement, Susan! We were all so lucky to have you as a colleague all these years. We’re going to miss you but wish you all the best in your chapter! Cheers, Lea Howe
– Lea Howe
Susan, I’m so happy for you! You’ve been integral to all of my time at UCLA so far, and I know your wisdom and warmth have touched many lives beyond my own. Congratulation on your retirement–I can’t wait to see your next chapter.
– Kathy Lisiewicz
Dear Susan,
Congratulations on your retirement! Who could have dreamed that your action of signing up for a 4-day domestic Odysseys Unlimited tour 25 years ago would lead to such an enduring and fruitful partnership! You started something in 1998 that has touched lives and will continue to beyond your UCLA years… On a personal note, you were my introduction to the world of alumni travel. What a pleasure and privilege it was to work with you! I will never forget your enthusiasm and energy. Best of luck as you begin this exciting new chapter in your life!
– With warmest wishes, Carol Towson, Odysseys Unlimited
Susan was a joy to know and to work with..She was always positive and optimistic. I wish her all the best in her new chapter. Now it’s time for Susan!
-Sincerely,
Rick Franz
Hey Susan! Wow, just heard the news of your retirement, an event that is bittersweet. Congratulations on your lengthy and accomplished career at UCLA. You have played a key role in developing an organization which stands as a beacon for excellence in alumni relations. You will be missed. I wish you every happiness and success as you embark on this new phase of your journey. With warmest wishes!
-Joseph Small
Congrats, Susan! I am so happy for you. We will truly miss you at UCLA. I will never forget my cubemate and our wonderful chats about the growth of UCLA, our children and the craziness life brings. I wish you all the best. Love, Shilo
-Shilo Munk
Congratulations, Susan! Happy for you but, you will be missed!!
-Kristen Mukae
Hi Susan! Congratulations on your retirement! I am so happy for you! I have such fond memories of our working together over the years as you guys built one of the very best alumni travel programs in the country. You have always been a very special person that was such a pleasure to work with. I can remember trips together, along with other alumni travel colleagues, that hold special meaning. I tried to track down some photos of these trips to include here, but that was before cell phones/cameras and I can’t seem to find the hard copies anywhere! 🙂 I can picture the great times very clearly in my head though. All the very best to you and your family as you embark on the next chapter of your life. You deserve champagne wishes and caviar dreams!! Please stay in touch.
-Mike Hull
Congratulations, Susan! It was a pleasure to share space and stories with you while we were neighbors in the Alumni Center. I wish you the best during this new chapter, we will miss you!
-Gabriela Meza
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Susan! Whoo-hoo! Time to kick your feet up, travel the world, work in your garden, read a good book, or just do nothing at all! And let’s have dinner like we used to at Louise’s Trattoria! I have wonderful memories of us catching up on our lives over delicious food!
-Lily Chia Tsau
Congratulations Susan!! Thank you for being an amazing colleague, mentor and friend to me over the last 18 years. So happy for you and all the adventures ahead!
-Angela Scales
Congratulations on your retirement, Susan! Wishing you all the best — you deserve it!
-Ashley Luu
Congratulations Susan! Twenty three years ago, you were my introduction to Team Alumni and its business procedures. From the first meeting, you have shown such patient and kindness in sharing your knowledge. You are an amazing colleague and role model. Thank you for being you. Wishing you fulfillment and happiness in the next chapter.
-Lon Bui
Congratulations!
-Mike Crawford
Dear Susan…
I could say “congratulations”
I could say “job well done”
I could say “enjoy retirement”
Or even “have fun in the sun”
I could say how much we’ll miss you
I could point to the laughs we had
I could show you the impact you made
On all of us, that’s why we’re all sad
Sad that you’ll be leaving
Sad you won’t be around
You really knew how to take a frown
And turn it upside down 🙂
I’ll miss my former cube mate
And the conversations that we shared
You always listened
And always cared
I could say many more wonderful things
And the list would never end
So I’ll end what I wrote, on a happy note and say…
Where one chapter ends, a new one begins
– With love,
Janine Kanamori
Congratulations Susan!
I am blessed to have been able to work with you and get to know you over these many years. You are an amazing woman and have made UCLA a better place through your kindness, thoughfulness, compassion, knowledge, dedication and loyalty.
You seen a lot of change and survived a lot of craziness and regime changes. We’ve had a lot of good times and laughter together – hallway competitions outside Bill’s office, Halloween costume contests, potlucks, etc.
You are starting an exciting new chapter. I know that you will be busy spending time with your sons, granddaughter, siblings, etc. May you enjoy this next chapter with good health for many, many years to come.
– Lots of love,
John Lundberg
I was truly blessed to work with you. I appreciated all of your support, wisdom and consideration over the years. You were an amazing supervisor to me and a steadfast friend. Wishing you the best of health and happiness in your all your future endeavors.
xoxo
– Regards,
Gina Liszovics
Congratulations on your retirement! Best wishes as you embark on this new journey.
– Andrea Sork
Congratulations Susan! I know we haven’t worked together long but the Bruin Promise would not have come together without you, thank you so much!
– Nikolai Laba
Congratulations Susan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Am so happy for you as you will now begin a new journey – a journey I know that will be filled with ongoing love and adventure! Thank you for all you have done for UCLA – and for putting UCLA Alumni Travel on the map! Your spirit and enthusiasm is contagious to all those you touch – in the mind, love is a concept. In the heart, love is an action! Friendship warms the heart! Best of luck Susan! With love, Kit
– Kit Spikings
Congratulations on a remarkable career and the next chapter of your life, Susan! Thank you for all you have done to help shape the legacy of the Alumni Association through the Bruin Promise. You radiate joy and positivity, and I’m glad to have experienced it in the short time I knew you. Sending you best wishes for your future!
– Kayla Albano
Susan, I will always appreciate your professionalism as we worked together on the GiveTo reimagining, and will always be grateful for the kindness you’ve shown to me and my family. Congratulations on your long, successful career and may your retirement be filled with happiness.
– Nick Todd
Congratulations Susan!!
– Joseph Duong
Congratulations Susan! Although we’ve only had the chance to work together for a short amount of time, I would have to say it’s been a great pleasure to work alongside with you! To the future and wishing you all the best! Enjoy your retirement, it’s well earned!