"""This award is in recognition of Susan's service to RIT. Her diligent effort and generosity have contributed significantly to the growth of the university. This award is meant to honor those efforts and to express our appreciation for her dedication.""

After spending ten years in the field of agricultural finance, Susan Holliday switched careers and purchased the Rochester Business Journal in 1988. Susan orchestrated a financial turnaround of the company and today the weekly newspaper that specializes in business news and information of interest in the metropolitan Rochester, New York business community, enjoys a readership of more than 80,000. The company now also produces a variety of other publications as well as events.

As an MBA student at RIT, Susan was significantly influenced by the faculty of the Saunders College. The education she received, and the contacts that she made, have been invaluable in her career. She feels that giving back to the university and helping to strengthen its national reputation are very important. So, she was particularly honored when she was asked to join the RIT board of trustees in 1998. At RIT, Susan serves as Chair of the Conflicts of Interest Committee. She dedicates her time to the Endowment, University Relations Committees, the Committee on Trustees and Executive Committees of the Board. Susan has provided internships for a number of RIT students, particularly NTID students. As an advocate for women in business, she has been a guest lecturer in classes as well as on-campus events. Susan also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency's 2010 Performance Commission.

In 2000, Susan was honored with the Distinguished Alumna award from the Saunders College of Business in recognition of her business accomplishments and dedication to the University.

In addition to her involvement with RIT, Susan serves as a director of Financial Institutions, Inc. She also serves on the boards of the Rochester Business Alliance, University of Rochester Medical Center and the United Way of Greater Rochester. Susan and her husband, Chris, live in the Rochester area. Their daughter, Jacqueline, is a graduate of Cornell University and their son, Andrew, is a graduate of Purdue University."