About

Suzanne Donaldson, CEO founded Donaldson Consulting, LLC (previously Donaldson Enterprises) in 2002. She advises her public and private clients on managing their projects efficiently; implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion; providing business coaching for underutilized firms; and ensuring agency contracting compliance.

With outstanding organizational, implementation, and facilitation skills, Suzanne provides essential assistance to project managers in organizing details, documenting processes, and communicating status updates for major programs and projects.

Bringing outstanding relationships she has developed and cultivated with community-based organizations and M/W/DBE firms for nearly two decades, Suzanne conveys these benefits to her clients through her project work. Ron Dukeshier, Large Project Manager for Granite Construction, noted, “Suzanne provided knowledgeable and energetic consulting into the Portland area DBE market by introducing our team to the DBE community through formal outreach meetings and introductions at monthly OAME and National Association of Minority Contractors meetings.”

Suzanne has had a lifelong commitment to mentoring under-represented individuals and firms. She has helped public and private clients achieve their M/W/DBE participation goals and broaden their diversity and outreach programs on projects worth over several billion dollars.

As a proud member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Suzanne has gone through the certification process to become certified as a M/W/DBE in seven states and with the federal government. She uses the knowledge and expertise she’s gained to help other firms expand their capacity and improve their service levels. Former Northwest Transportation Manager and VP of CH2M HILL, John Willis, said “Suzanne’s performance has received positive attention from the owner, TriMet. She has been praised for her collaborative style and drive for constant improvement of the DBE program. Her approach has not only ensured quality delivery by our DBE contractors, but also has grown the capacity of the firms that she has mentored–a key goal of TriMet’s.”

She also works as a cultural ambassador and facilitation consultant, engaging with community-based organizations, underrepresented populations, and all community stakeholders. She helps build productive, authentic relationships to work toward a more inclusive community with opportunities for all.

Education

AA, General Studies, Centralia College, 2000; additional studies at the University of Puget Sound and Washington State University