United Way of the Coastal Empire is proud to announce Suzanne Kirk will lead the charge as the 2025 Women Who Rule Event Committee Chair. The annual event will be held on Tuesday, March 4, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Savannah Convention Center. 

Kirk is the president and executive HR consultant with Employee Development Strategies, Inc., a human resources and organizational development consulting firm she established in 2011. Suzanne works with clients to ensure their HR practices embody their organization’s culture, vision, and business objectives by aligning performance management processes to business strategies. In addition to crafting custom HR foundation tools and processes, Suzanne is a dynamic facilitator of board retreats, strategic planning sessions, and custom learning programs for all audiences, helping companies focus on the people side of business.

Suzanne holds a Master’s degree in HR Management & Development and is SPHR and SHRM-SCP Certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. She is a certified administrator of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Leadership Versatility Index, and numerous other professional development assessments. In 2020, she achieved a SHRM specialty credential in Inclusive Workplace Cultures. Suzanne has served as program facilitator with the Leadership Southeast Georgia program since 2013 and served as a TEDxSavannah speaker in 2024. 

Outside her HR consulting practice, Suzanne is engaged with the local community, serving as 

board secretary with Emmaus House, as well as a board member at Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy and TEDx Savannah. She is also a charter member, active volunteer, and past president with Metropolitan Savannah Rotary. 

Having grown up in Toronto, Canada, Suzanne has lived in the South for most of her life, and has called Savannah, Georgia home since 2001. Suzanne and her husband are parents to three children and two rescue dogs. 

Championed by United Way’s WOMEN UNITED®, the Women Who Rule event raises funds for the Women United Transportation Fund, which supports residents across our region who need dependable transportation. Donations to the fund provide gas cards, bus passes, minor car repairs, and more to help increase access to reliable transportation. 

"Dependable transportation is key to improving the lives of our neighbors so they can get to work, school, medical appointments, training opportunities, and access other critical resources,” said Suzanne Kirk. “Having been involved in the Women Who Rule Event Committee over the years, I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Each year, more than 30 women volunteer their time and talents on the committee for this important cause.”

In addition to honoring the 2025 Woman of the Year, this year’s event will feature a panel of incredible women leaders. 

Event tables and tickets will go on sale in January 2025. More details to come. For more information, please visit uwce.org/women-who-rule/.