Susan Penfield is a high-octane technology executive and board director recognized for engineering digital revolutions and scaling complex technical ecosystems. With a career anchored in 30 years of leadership at Booz Allen Hamilton, she most recently served as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President. A "game-changer" in the truest sense, Susan functioned as a direct report to the CEO and a vital member of the firm's Executive Leadership Team, architecting the technical roadmap for the Firm, and building the largest AI practice in Federal Government at over 5000 practitioners. She specialized in the strategic deployment of Artificial Intelligence, edge computing, and scalable digital infrastructures to meet mission-critical global challenges.
Susan’s track record is defined by her ability to bridge the gap between emerging R&D and commercial profitability. She successfully managed a $1 billion+ P&L, demonstrating mastery in all aspects of business building, operational management, and sustainable scaling. As the former Chief Innovation Officer, she pioneered disruptive business models that accelerated growth through mission-centric technical roadmaps. Her operational prowess was further proven when she spearheaded the digital transformation of the health market, turning it into the company’s most rapid growth engine through aggressive modernization and advanced data analytics.
Her board portfolio reflects her expertise in high-stakes engineering and IT governance. Susan serves on the board of Langan, a premier land development and environmental engineering firm, providing strategic insight into the intersection of physical engineering and digital innovation. She also held board positions at SPARQ, a leader in US-based digital engineering, and the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), where she served as Secretary and played a key role in shaping the regional tech ecosystem.
Susan’s technical influence is further validated by her philanthropic leadership and advocacy. She is the Chair Emeritus of The Children’s Inn at NIH and a board member for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where she leverages her background to drive technology-focused health initiatives. A frequent speaker on STEM and a tireless advocate for women in technology, she received Elle Magazine’s Tech Influencer Award in 2023, and Girl’s Inc’s Diamond Award in 2022 for her contributions to STEM advocacy.
Susan has been honored with the WashingtonExec Lifetime Achievement Award and the Wash100 award for her pioneering work in government-sector innovation. She holds a B.S. in technology management from Lock Haven University and a certificate in management from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business.