SUSAN LACZ
Principal and Chief Executive Officer
Ridgewells
A recognized leader and sought-after public speaker in the Catering and Special Events Industry, Susan Lacz is passionate about her work. Susan has been the keynote speaker at several conferences, including the 2010 INSPIRE Conference at Oklahoma State University, the 2007 Catersource Trade Show in Las Vegas and the 2007 WISE Conference at Syracuse University. In October 2008, Susan was a featured speaker at Chatham University’s “Think Big” Conference. She has also spoken for Marymount University and the International Catering Association (ICA).
Susan is Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ridgewells. She joined the company in 1986 and purchased it with her business partners in 1997. Over the past 15 years, Susan has been instrumental in the expansion and growth of the company’s portfolio. In December 2002, she and her partners formed Haute Catering by Ridgewells, formerly Haute on the Hill by Ridgewells, a union company responsible for the House of Representatives catering services. That division has since expanded its services to the Pentagon, the Naval Academy and the National Defense University. In March 2008, Purple Tie by Ridgewells was formed to provide professional service staff to clients. In October 2009, Ridgewells partnered with celebrity Chef Jose Andres and formed Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells. The new company combines the exquisite cuisine of Chef Andres with the experience and service of Ridgewells.
Over the years, Susan and Ridgewells have received a number of industry and professional awards, including Bethesda Magazine’s Best Caterer of Bethesda 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the International Special Events Society (ISES) Esprit Award 2008 for Best Event with a Legacy; ISES Award 2010 for Best ISES Team; ISES Award 2009 for Best Off-Premise Caterer; ISES Award 1999, 2002-2005 for Best Cuisine; Special Events Magazine Spotlight Awards 1998 for Best-Off Premise Caterer and in 1999 Caterer of the Year by Event Solutions Magazine. Susan was awarded for her leadership in the business community by the Washington Business Journal in 2004 Women Who Mean Business. In May 2008, Susan was also honored for her charitable work by Miriam’s Kitchen with the Bowls of Compassion Award. Most recently, Susan and Ridgewells were honored with the Greater Washington Board of Trade Golden Links Award 2009.
Susan currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Washington Board of Trade (GWBOT), EagleBank, the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) and Imagination Stage. She also serves on the Executive Committee for Imagination Stage and the GWBOT, the Women’s Advisory Board for the GSCNC and the Board of Visitors for Marymount University. She is an active member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and the Economic Club of Washington, DC.
Susan is a single mother residing in Chevy Chase with her sons Nathan, 20 and Ayden 9.
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