Susan Edwards

Susan Edwards is an Operating Director of DEI & Impact at The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private equity firm committed to driving high-value social change. Prior to Vistria, Susan served as Program Director at Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), where she led the Private Equity Accelerator program. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in alternative investments. Before MLT, Susan was instrumental as the Interim Executive Director at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center in Liberia. Under her leadership, the Center successfully launched its flagship Amujae program, solidifying its commitment to empowering African women in public service. In her earlier career, Susan was an investment professional with the Pan African Capital Group in Liberia and the Abraaj Group in Kenya. At Abraaj, she invested out of the Africa Health Fund, a $105 million fund backed by partners such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Gates Foundation. Prior to Abraaj, Susan managed the nextONE Business Accelerator for Black-owned businesses at the Chicago Urban League, thereby strengthening community enterprise and creating avenues for economic growth. Susan began her career at Abbott Laboratories, where she excelled in various engineering and program management roles. Susan received a B.S in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.