Susan Ralston - EXECUTIVE COACH

Meet Susan Ralston: Your Executive Coach and Strategic Consultant

Susan Ralston is an esteemed executive coach and consultant, renowned for her ability to build thriving businesses through the pursuit of team excellence. With a career spanning over 38 years in the financial services industry, Susan has not only excelled but also led transformative initiatives across prominent institutions.

A Proven Transformation Catalyst

As an executive coach, Susan is dedicated to partnering with senior executives and high-potential leaders, guiding them towards specific, sustainable actions that foster positive transformation. Drawing from her 22+ years as a CEO, Susan brings a profound understanding of leadership challenges, enabling her clients to maintain unwavering focus on activities that drive key results.

Susan's expertise extends to working one-on-one with top-of-the-house leaders, board members, and senior teams. Her approach centers around facilitating meaningful conversations that propel them toward their shared goals.

Credentials and Achievements

Susan holds an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coach Federation, a testament to her commitment to professional excellence. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for Old Point National Bank ($1.4B) in Hampton, Virginia, Susan's illustrious career includes notable roles such as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at Dollar Bank ($11B) in Pittsburgh. Notably, she served as the President and CEO of Bank @lantec for 22 years, leading a pivotal transformation from a federal credit union to a federal mutual savings bank in 2004. In 2016, Susan spearheaded a successful merger with Dollar Bank, solidifying her reputation as a visionary leader in the financial sector.

Academic and Professional Background

Susan earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA, and holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Her commitment to ongoing learning is exemplified by her graduation from the American Banker Association's Stonier Graduate School at Georgetown University and her Professional Coaching Certification (PC) from Duquesne University's Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.

Contributions Beyond the Boardroom

Beyond her illustrious career, Susan is deeply passionate about childhood cancer awareness. Her personal journey, marked by her son's triumph over Ewing sarcoma cancer, inspired her to establish the Pediatric Proton Foundation. For over a decade, she led this organization, facilitating access to proton therapy for numerous families across the country. Her groundbreaking research in this field was published in the International Particle Therapy Journal. Susan's commitment to making a difference extends to her involvement with 14 different nonprofit boards throughout her career.

A Glimpse into Her World

Originally hailing from Washington, PA (Pittsburgh area), Susan now resides in Virginia Beach with her husband, Jim, and their son, Jacob. Jacob aspires to be a marine biologist and is currently attending Coastal Carolina University. When she's not empowering leaders or leading impactful initiatives, Susan enjoys golfing, kayaking, biking, and passionately cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Recognitions and Awards

Susan's remarkable contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2023 Women In Leadership Award by Virginia Business Magazine, 2022 Chairman's Award from Old Point National Bank, the 2018 Cleveland Waltersdorf Award for Innovative Leadership from Washington and Jefferson College, and being named one of the "Outstanding Women in Business" in Hampton Roads by Inside Business Magazine in 2010.