Susan Elks

Program Manager, Balancing Nature and Commerce

Susan is the Program Manager for Balancing Nature and Commerce, joining The Conservation Fund in 2021. Through her work Susan advances collaborative planning and placemaking that balances conservation and economic opportunity, and builds lasting results for vibrant communities and their environmental and cultural assets. Susan most recently served as Community Planning Director for Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she engaged with diverse stakeholders, facilitated processes and consensus building, and led development of implementable planning documents. In previous roles in local government and consulting Susan conducted land use planning, National Environmental Policy Act compliance documentation, marketing, and scoping.

Susan is a Scholar in the Rural-Urban Leadership program of Penn State Extension, a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program, and has completed extensive training in mediation and facilitation. She holds a Master’s in Geography from West Chester University, a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina-Asheville, and is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Susan grew up in Unionville, PA and continues to call it home with her husband and children, and much of her extended family in close proximity.

Contact:  selks@conservationfund.org     Phone: 610-563-1516    Office: Pennsylvania