Director's Letter

As Senior Director of Residential & Dining Enterprises’ (R&DE) division of Stanford Conferences, Suzanne contributes over 25 years of experience in collegiate conference planning and management at Stanford University, and she oversees an award-winning team of conference professionals responsible for 250 to 300 events annually, all of which contribute to the advancement of Stanford’s academic mission. Suzanne’s career is a testament to her commitment to the fields of hospitality and education.

Suzanne’s 25-year tenure at Stanford reflects her progressive advancement in Stanford Conferences. The quality and caliber of her work and professional contributions have been regularly recognized through the consistent increases and expansions in leadership opportunities and scope of responsibilities she has earned, including promotions within Stanford Conferences from her first role in the organization as a conference coordinator, to Assistant Director of Stanford Conferences in 2008, to Associate Director of Stanford Conferences in 2015, to Director, Stanford Conferences in 2019, to her current position as Senior Director, Stanford Conferences in 2022. 

With experience extending outside Stanford Conferences, Suzanne also served in positions with Student Housing, including the role of Manager for Housing Building Standards and Design Projects in Student Housing’s Design and Capital Projects group. Suzanne serves as a member of the senior staff for Student Housing Operations and Stanford Conferences as well as a member of the R&DE Senior Staff and Cabinet. She has also served as co-chair for the R&DE Women’s Leadership & Development Program (WLDP) Council, and she is currently a member of the WLDP Advocate Board. 

Suzanne’s service to the greater university includes her appointment to the provost’s Summer Programs Committee, and she is also an active member of the university’s Protection of Minors Task Force.

Suzanne earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara. An accomplished professional and industry leader, Suzanne qualified for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation conferred by the Events Industry Council in 2010. The CMP designation recognized world-wide represents the standard of excellence in the events industry. In addition, she is an active member in the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors – International (ACCED-I) and currently serves on the association’s Board of Directors and the Board’s Executive Committee in her elected role as the association’s Treasurer.

Leveraging upon the wealth of knowledge she has gained from serving in multiple roles and divisions within Residential & Dining Enterprises, as well as her earned credentials and designations and appointed and elected leadership positions at Stanford and in professional associations to which she belongs, Suzanne offers a unique perspective, thoughtful insight, and compelling leadership to her Stanford Conferences team and to colleagues throughout the conferencing and education industries. 

Suzanne Rose Bennett Senior Director Stanford Conferences