It is with great respect and sadness, that I share with you today the announcement by the Brain Injury Association of America, that Susan Connors, president and chief executive officer will retire on December 31, 2022.
Susan has served in her current position for the past 17 years and has been an integral part of the association.
Her unconditional dedication to the association and to persons with a brain injury and their families will always be valued and remembered.
Her work, commitment and caring are worthy of our admiration. She will be greatly missed but her accomplishments will always be a reminder of how important she has and will continue to be to all those who believe in persons with a brain injury.
During Susan’s tenure BIAA has grown in so many ways. Through her work and the work of her dedicated staff, BIAA is the voice of brain injury in the United States.
During her many years of leadership, BIAA:
- established the National Brain Injury Information Center;
- Grew the Academy of Brain Injury Specialists;
- Launched the Brain Injury Research fund;
- Successfully lobbied on Capitol Hill for brain injury specific funding in the Defense Authorization Act and;
- Included brain injury rehabilitation as an essential benefit in the Affordable Care Act.
With Susan’s guidance, BIAA built an award-winning website and has successfully produced many public awareness campaigns.
As my partner, Shana De Caro, who is the chairwoman of the Brain Injury Association of America has said, “Susan has led the Association for more than 17 years, steering us through numerous challenges and opportunities. She has worked tirelessly to advance our mission and has served as an important consumer voice to scientific institutions and policy-making bodies. BIAA has prospered and flourished under Susan’s leadership. Our community is fortunate to have had such a devoted and effective advocate at the helm.”
The association has begun a nationwide search for a new executive director.
I am honored to call Susan a friend and colleague.
Words are not enough to convey my appreciation to Susan, and I can only wish her many years of happiness and fulfilment and success in any future endeavors.