Susan is currently principal of Peacemaker ADR, which she established in January 2000. Since then she has undertaken dual roles establishing a maintaining a legal practice (EMA Workplace Lawyers) where she is a principal together with her investigation, alternative dispute resolution and strategic human resources work as principal of Peacemaker ADR.

Susan was President of the Employee Relations Commission of Victoria from 1993-1996 when the State referred its powers to the Commonwealth. In early 1997 Susan joined Blake Dawson Waldron as a partner in their industrial relations area where she remained until 1999 following which she left and completed her Master of Laws prior to establishing her own legal practice and Peacemaker Solutions.

Before her appointment as President of the ERCV Susan was a partner with the South Australian firm Baker O’Loughlin (now Minter Ellison) from 1988 - 1993. Prior to that she was a Senior Associate with the firm. Her early employment career included working as an industrial advocate with the (then) South Australian Chamber of Commerce before joining a labour law firm (then) Duncan Groom Carabelas and Hannon from 1983- 1985.

Since establishing Peacemaker ADR Susan has undertaken work across the spectrum of alternative dispute resolution work including as a mediator, facilitator, investigator, conciliator and private arbitrator. She is regularly called on to conduct grievance hearings and promotional appeals.

She works for clients in the public and private sectors with respect to general workplace grievances and disputes, bullying and harassment and employment related matters generally.

Susan has maintained an active interest in ensuring that her qualifications are contemporary and relevant. She completed her Master of Laws at University of Melbourne in 1999 and became an Accredited Workplace Relations Specialist, Law Institute of Victoria in October 2003. She has undertaken further study in dispute resolution work including the Advanced Mediation Program at Harvard University and the Designing Dispute Resolution Systems Program at CDR Associates Colorado. In 2000 she obtained the Professional Certificate in Arbitration and Mediation with the University of Adelaide and The Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators, Australia and is currently and Accredited Mediator with the Institute.