Susan Blansett has more than 20 years of experience in economic development, community and workforce development, and has been consulting since joining R&M Resource Development in 1999. As a Principal at R&M, Blansett specializes in strategy, fund-raising and investor/client relations for economic development agencies. She has made more than 2,000 direct solicitations, helping R&M to raise more than $100 million in campaigns over the past 11 years. Clients rely on her judgment and praise her professionalism, problem-solving ability and dedication to client success. In fact, in a 2008 poll of Colorado economic developers, Blansett and colleague Patty Silverstein were voted as the “most trusted consultants.”
Susan is an experienced clinician, facilitator and is on the faculty of the Colorado Basic Economic Development Course, where she directs and teaches the Strategic Planning/Leadership class. She has earned top evaluations for her training in strategic planning, fundraising and investor retention. In 2008 she became certified as a PULSE Institute professional trainer in mediation. She earned her Certified Economic Developer designation (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council in 1992, and in 1993 was named an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council.
Blansett honed her economic development skills in increasingly responsible positions with the Illinois Rural Electric Cooperatives, the Colorado Governor’s office (Romer administration), the Aurora Economic Development Council and the DIA Partnership in Colorado. She earned her MBA from the University of Colorado (1996) and her Bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. She is a recipient of the Special Recognition Award conferred by the Economic Developers’ Council of Colorado for contributions to the profession. She is an accomplished vocalist and an avid outdoorswoman, enjoying hiking, birdwatching and trail-riding on her American Quarter Horse, Seguin. She enjoys living in Golden, Colorado with husband Mark and two golden retrievers.