Susan Lacz
CEO & Owner
Ridgewells Catering

Susan Lacz, a recognized leader and sought-after speaker in the catering and special events industry, is CEO and owner of Ridgewells Catering, headquartered in Bethesda, MD.

Susan purchased Ridgewells in 1997 with her business partners and has been instrumental in the continuous growth, expansion and maintenance of the company’s corporate, social, and major events portfolio. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Junior Achievement, Marymount University, and Washington DC Economic Partnership. Susan chaired Marymount’s 2019 Capital Campaign, successfully closing it at $40 million. She is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO), The Economic Club of Washington DC, and Leading Caterers of America.

Among her many achievements, Susan was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Greater Washington Award, received the Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award, and was named to their Power 100 List.  She has also been recognized on numerous occasions for her outstanding commitment to our community through her involvement with a number of local philanthropic causes. Susan was bestowed by Miriam’s Kitchen with the Bowls of Compassion Award, and the Greater Washington Board of Trade presented Susan and Ridgewells with its Golden Links Award.

In May 2019, Susan was the keynote speaker at the commencement ceremonies for her alma mater, Marymount University, following which she was awarded her Doctor of Humane Letters.

Susan currently lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and has two sons, Nathan and Ayden.