Susan Shows
Susan Shows is a seasoned leader in technology-based economic development, having built and managed programs that turn investment into results. She was instrumental in the growth and development of the Georgia Research Alliance, serving the Alliance for 22 years, including a three-year term as president and CEO.
Susan joined GRA in 2001 to start a venture development program, one of the first of its kind in the U.S. Over the years, the nationally recognized program has helped fuel the launch of 200 companies out of Georgia’s university labs, attracting outside investment of more than $2.3 billion.
In 2008, GRA named Susan senior vice president, and she began managing GRA’s investment portfolio of talent and technology at Georgia’s research universities. She helped the universities recruit world-class scientists to Georgia and directed strategic investments in lab infrastructure to help the Scholars expand their work. Susan also oversaw much of GRA’s financial analytics, which have guided the organization’s long-term strategic planning and provides transparency to GRA partners in state government.
Prior to joining GRA, Susan worked at Georgia Tech, where she managed collaborations involving the university, federal agencies and private industry. She also served as general manager of ATDC, Georgia Tech’s business incubator, and led an industry-driven R&D program for Georgia’s pulp and paper, food processing and textiles industries.
Susan began her career as an industrial engineer at Square D Company in Lexington, Kentucky, and later became part of the company’s start-up team for a new manufacturing facility in North Carolina. She earned an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati and a B.S. in industrial management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
