Susan Rhoades Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

I connect Drexel researchers and innovation assets with Commercial R&D, technology and business leaders to identify collaboration and licensing opportunities. Lead industry engagement team within Drexel Applied Innovation (DAI) in the Office of Research and Innovation. Drexel is a private, urban, world-class R1 research university committed to use-inspired research with real-world applications in many industry categories. DAI provides comprehensive technology transfer and entrepreneurial advancement services to expand the impact of Drexel research. We have a wide variety of technologies available for licensing to entrepreneurs and companies to help meet industry's unmet innovation challenges.

Lancaster, Pa, Us

Directed marketing strategy and execution for private industry leader in building products. Responsible for multi-disciplinary team focused on brand, marketing communications, digital marketing, product design, market research and segmentation, launch commercialization, and marketing/sales integration. Identified market opportunities, increased awareness and created demand for broad portfolio of innovative ceiling and wall products. Led team of 45 with five direct reports. Prior to this, spearheaded strategic growth initiative for accelerated sales of specialty "open ceilings” for commercial interiors, delivering double-digit growth and cultivating cross-functional collaboration with research and development, sales, training, and marketing.First executive role as VP of Retail Sales & Marketing with P&L responsibility for AWI's Retail ceilings business. Directed Sales to home improvement retailers and residential construction distributors, and Marketing to residential and retail customers. Oversaw management of all related product lines, championed new product development, and set direction for marketing/digital communications. Led team of 15 with five direct reports.

Lancaster, Pa, Us

Led corporate compliance for large public flooring & ceilings manufacturer, working cross functionally with legal, audit, IT, human resources, business units, and outside vendors. Oversaw compliance hotline, internal investigations, Board of Director and Audit reporting, and executive steering committee. Spearheaded ethics and compliance training and certifications, policies and procedures, and investigations for industry leader with 7400 employees and 31 locations across the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

Lancaster, Pa, Us

Held increasingly responsible roles in Marketing and Product Management, Business Development and Marketing Communications. Helped create non-profit technology alliance with industry partners and facilitated collaboration with university/research organizations. Identified and analyzed new product/business concepts and M&A targets. Led marketing and product management for growth-focused business unit (Architectural Specialties). Spearheaded new product launches and managed existing product lines. Developed and delivered customer and sales presentations and won industry awards. Negotiated supplier, pricing, intellectual property, technology transfer and consultant agreements. Developed and executed marketing communications and branding initiatives.

Harrisburg, Pa, Us

Managed leadership board of four not-for-profit Ben Franklin Technology Centers statewide, involving multiple stakeholders from government, industry, non-profit, and universities (including Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh, and the University of Pennsylvania). Developed and promoted benefits of economic development programs and funding for entrepreneurs, technology firms, and manufacturers. Served as liaison with state government officials at PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

Collaborated with Delaware businesses, community colleges, universities, and community leaders on economic development, manufacturing, research, technology, entrepreneurship and commercialization initiatives. Wrote winning federal grant for Delaware Manufacturing Alliance (MEP program), managed industry advisory councils, coordinated public/private leadership delegation trip to Germany and Spain. Facilitated creation of first state-sponsored ventural capital fund (Delaware Innovation Fund) to provide seed-stage capital to local entrepreneurs and start-up companies.

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