In 1985, Susan Brown was elected president of the East Ohio Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM), an experience that was formational to her adult life and professional career.  "It was on CCYM that I learned the fundamentals of teamwork, leadership, administration, and responsibility," Susan says.  And it was during her years on CCYM that she first felt God calling her into ministry.  "I served several years as an acolyte for the ordination services at Annual Conference. One year, I was sitting with my friend who was also an acolyte and I turned to him and said, 'I think that I will be up there on that stage some day'."   These two experiences have now converged in Susan's life as she takes on the position of half-time director for Youth Ministries for East Ohio Conference, while serving as a pastor in the East Ohio Conference.

Susan graduated from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio  (MTSO)  in 2006 and was commissioned as a probationary elder in 2006.  She has served as pastor of  McZena Hope United Methodist Churchand associate at Wooster UMC. In addition to her conference position, she is part-time pastor at Randolph UMC.   Prior to entering MTSO, Susan had a career in marketing and public relations for non-profit and arts organizations.  Her BA is from Otterbein College and she has done previous work on an MA in communications at The American University in Washington, DC.  Susan has worked with youth in many church - and community - related settings including confirmation and youth group leadership, as well as arts education and advocacy programs.