Susan Markham

Susan Markham is a prominent advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment, currently serving as a partner and co-founder of Smash Strategies, a consulting firm that focuses on improving outcomes for businesses and non-profit organizations. She has extensive experience in the field of gender equality, having previously held significant roles such as Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Director of Women’s Political Participation at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) .123

Markham holds a Master’s degree from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio State University. She resides in Washington, D.C., with her family and two dogs .2 Her work emphasizes the critical involvement of women in politics and development, and she has been actively engaged in initiatives that promote women's participation at all levels .12

In addition to her consulting work, Markham is also involved in educational efforts related to feminist foreign policy, advocating for systemic changes that prioritize women's rights and security in international relations. She has contributed to discussions on how feminist approaches can reshape traditional security paradigms .1