Susanne Lendman is the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (the Council), overseeing a wide range of activities in programs, member services, market research and information services, financial management and administration.  She directs the day-to-day operations of the Business Council and supervises a team of experts on a wide range of issues affecting the U.S.-Saudi Arabian commercial relationship. Susanne assists the Co-Chairmen and Board of Directors in developing the Council’s strategic objectives, and ensures their implementation. She maintains the Council’s strategic external relationships with U.S. and Saudi Government officials, organizations, and corporate clients, and communications with the the Council’s Board of Directors.

With more than 39 years of experience working with Saudi Arabia, Susanne has unique and extensive knowledge of the Kingdom, its governance, business environment, and cultural sensitivities, and has extensive contacts in the public and private sectors of Saudi Arabia. She has advised Fortune 500 companies on strategic issues for expanding their business in Saudi Arabia, as well as consulting with U.S. companies interested in entering the market. Susanne has led numerous missions to the Kingdom, including two U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Missions, several exploratory Trade and Investment Missions, including trade finance and private equity, as well as Leadership Study Missions, which bring high-level business and civic leaders to Saudi Arabia in order to better understand the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural trends. She is also the Council’s lead organizer of the U.S.-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum, seminars, business roundtables, and high-level events such as receptions and dinners honoring high-ranking government officials from both countries.

Susanne is responsible for working with member companies to present bilateral business issues to the Saudi and U.S. Governments on their behalf.  Susanne Lendman has been with the Business Council since 1996. From 1996-2006 she was Director of Research and Information Services, responsible for creating and developing the Council’s website, publications, and many of the its programs. She served as Vice President from 2006-2012. Prior to joining the Council, Susanne was Vice President of Projects for a management consulting firm that provided strategic advisory services, project management, technical and industrial development assistance, and product and market research to government ministries and private sector companies in Saudi Arabia. Susanne began her career at the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Susanne Lendman received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and German from the University of Wisconsin. She also studied at the Albert Ludwig Universitaet in Freiburg, Germany.