Susan Cates

Susan E.
Cates is the founder of Leeds Illuminate Advisors Ltd., founded in 2020, serving as Managing Partner.
Current jobs include Director at Mursion, Inc. since 2020; Director at Verto Education, Inc. since 2021; Director at Product School, Inc. since 2021; Independent Director at Primo Brands Corp.
since 2024; Director at Project Kitty Hawk, Inc. since 2022; and Advisory Board Member at Kenan-Flagler Business School since 2016.
Former jobs include Executive Director at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2008 to 2016; Lead Independent Director at Primo Water Corp.
from 2019 to 2020; Director at Eruditus Education Pvt Ltd.; Director at The Association of College & University Educators from 2021 to 2023; Independent Director at Primo Water Corp.
from 2020 to 2024; Principal at Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.; Principal at Wachovia Corp.; Chief Operating Officer at 2U LLC from 2016 to 2017; Partner at Best Associates LLC from 2004 to 2008; and Principal at ThinkEquity Partners from 2001 to 2004.
Education includes an undergraduate degree from Duke University conferred in 1992 and an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School conferred in 1998.