Susan Rittscher, President/CEO

Susan Rittscher, President and CEO of the Center for Women & Enterprise joined the organization in 2008 to continue her life's work of creating possibilities, connecting communities, and impacting lives through service. She has over 30 years of non-profit experience and 18 years of experience as a CEO of small and large not for profits. Most recently, Susan was director of Executive and Volunteer Development for the YMCA of the USA, with responsibility for educating and training the executive and volunteer leaders of the nation’s 2,600 YMCAs. Susan was formerly President and CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA, where she served for 12 years. She is a catalytic leader with strong skills in developing others, creating growth in the organizations she leads, and collaborating with others to provide innovative service.

Susan has held other key leadership roles, having served on the boards of the YMCA Retirement Fund, United Way, Leadership Rhode Island, Leadership Broward, the Junior League, University Club and in particular, the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, where Rittscher worked to make the mission of the organization, “to advance equity and social justice for women and girls,” a reality.

Susan has received many honors including being named by the Boston Herald as a “Woman to Watch”, Up and Comer of the Year by South Florida Magazine and Price Waterhouse and received the Administrative Excellence Award. While at YMCA of the USA she was Female Upward Mobility Task Force and Conference Chair and she was appointed a delegate at the Japan/USA Management Seminar and YMCA World Alliance in Africa. Susan has also been appointed a Rhode Island Commodore by the Governor.

Why CWE? The mission of CWE is very powerful and relevant.  Economic empowerment, self sufficiency and equity for women are very important to create a better community, and social justice.  With women still making only 77% of what men make, I wanted to work for an organization to create programs that level the playing field and support women in achieving these goals. I felt called to serve this amazing organization to work with others to achieve this.