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Sue Steele smiles in a posed photo with a light blue patterned design behind her.

Sue Steele, a distinguished alumna of Auburn University's College of Education and an industry leader in board advisory services and executive coaching, will join the Auburn University Alumni Association Board of Directors this fall.

Steele, the founder and CEO of management consulting company Steele and Partners, LLC, was recently named to the board for a four-year appointment following a nomination by College of Education Dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor Jeffrey Fairbrother.

"Sue's passion for Auburn University, her extensive professional experience, and her unwavering dedication to service make her an exceptional candidate for the Auburn University Alumni Association Board of Directors,” Fairbrother wrote in his nomination letter. "I am confident that her leadership and vision will greatly benefit the board and the broader Auburn community."

Steele graduated from Auburn University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Adult Education. During her time at Auburn, she was actively involved in several student organizations, including Alpha Delta Pi, War Eagle Girls, and was honored with the title of “Mrs. Auburn.” Her commitment to Auburn University was further recognized when she received the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding service, loyalty, and spirit for Auburn University. Steele's dedication to education continued after graduation when she moved to Birmingham and taught Home Economics at Mountain Brook High School. Her career evolved, and she is now an industry leader with 35 years of experience in engineering, procurement, and construction project management. Steele's professional achievements are complemented by her active involvement in 100 Women Strong in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, showcasing her ongoing commitment to Auburn University and its community.

"As the dean of Auburn University's College of Education, I have had the great privilege of knowing Sue and her husband, Andy, both of whom are distinguished alumni of our institution,” Fairbrother stated. "Sue and Andy have made significant contributions to Auburn University's College of Education. Their decision to name a room in the college's new building is a testament to their deep connection to Auburn and their belief in the transformative power of education. The Steeles' story, from meeting on a blind date after the Iron Bowl to their successful careers and enduring marriage, is a source of inspiration for future generations of Auburn students.”

Steele said she was honored by the dean’s nomination and her naming to the alumni board.

"I am thrilled and honored to be selected to join the AAA Board,” she said. "I am especially grateful for the nomination from the School of Education and Dean Fairbrother, where I received my undergraduate degree. Reconnecting with Auburn alumni will be an absolute joy. I cannot wait to attend the kick-off orientation prior to Auburn homecoming in September. As a lifetime alum, I have had the opportunity to be involved in several alumnae groups from Miami to Houston to Birmingham to Lake Martin. One thing we all have in common is 'We believe in Auburn and we LOVE it!’ War Eagle!’”

 

“Sue is an exceptional leader who is gifted at building relationships, navigating complex situations, and bringing diverse groups together to achieve common goals."

- Margaret Arnold, Auburn’s associate vice president for philanthropy

In addition to her Auburn degree, Steele holds her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Miami. Building on an already remarkable narrative, Steele’s professional credentials further highlight the depth of leadership experience she brings to the Auburn University Alumni Association Board.

Steele is a Certified Director with extensive governance training, and she was inducted into the National Academy of Construction—an honor that recognizes her influence and innovation in the built environment. Her leadership roles have spanned across international engineering and consulting firms, including JMJ Associates, where she served as CEO and drove a 25% increase in enterprise value. She’s held board positions at Hill International, Harvard Bioscience, and Wood Group, PLC, where she chaired the Safety & Sustainability Committee.

Steele also served as Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Jacobs, overseeing multi-billion-dollar sourcing strategies across global centers. Her earlier roles at CH2M included leading business development for the firm’s $600 million manufacturing and life sciences division, and directing the ambitious $23 billion Masdar City sustainable development project in Abu Dhabi.

Her career reflects a passion for business transformation and a commitment to board excellence, qualities that align closely with the mission of the Auburn Alumni Association. Her accolades—including the Crystal Vision Award from the National Association of Women in Construction and the Construction Women of the Year recognition from Arizona State University—further underscore her dedication to advancing women in the industry.

With a career defined by leadership, impact, and service, Steele’s appointment to the board is both a celebration of her lifelong connection to Auburn and a promising step forward for the university’s alumni engagement.

“Sue is an exceptional leader who is gifted at building relationships, navigating complex situations, and bringing diverse groups together to achieve common goals,” said Margaret Arnold, Auburn’s associate vice president for philanthropy. “Her ongoing commitment to Auburn and her drive to bolster future generations of the Auburn Family make her an outstanding addition to the Auburn Alumni Association Board.”