Her Story
About Susan
Susan Berardi is an award-winning investigative journalist, author, and literary writer whose work is rooted in social justice, disability inclusion, and giving marginalized communities a voice. After earning a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, Susan built a successful career in corporate America, rising to Director of Organizational Development before later working as a corporate consultant. Drawing on her strengths in research, communication, interviewing, and storytelling, she eventually transitioned into professional writing, where she has developed a distinctive style of narrative nonfiction that combines rigorous investigation with compelling, story-driven prose.
Susan’s investigative work has appeared in nationally recognized publications, including The Guardian and Washington Monthly, where she has examined police violence, justice-system narratives, and other issues affecting vulnerable communities. Her forthcoming book, Stolen Sons: Police Violence, A Broken System and Two Women’s Journey from Grief to Justice, grew from her 2021 reporting and follows two mothers who formed a powerful friendship after their unarmed sons were killed by police. The book received the 2024 Book Pipeline Award for Best Unpublished Nonfiction Book and is scheduled for publication in March 2027. In addition to investigative journalism, Susan writes essays, short stories, and other literary works that have appeared in publications including The Carolina Quarterly and The Galway Review.
Beyond her journalism, Susan is deeply committed to disability inclusion and autism awareness, inspired in part by her personal experience raising a son with autism. She has written plays, essays, and stories designed to foster greater understanding of autistic individuals and their contributions to society, and she has supported Action for Autism through writing and fundraising projects. Across her work, Susan is motivated by a strong belief in fairness and a desire to make a meaningful difference, using storytelling to illuminate injustice, amplify overlooked voices, and help readers understand the people behind complex social issues.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my determination to challenge unfairness and make a meaningful difference. Growing up in a small farming community in Illinois, with limited resources, taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and perseverance. As an underdog, I learned that I had to work hard to make my voice heard and advocate for equal treatment, lessons that continue to guide me today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to pursue writing if it is your dream and remember that the more you write, the better you become. You can build your skills through careers such as advertising, marketing, PR, or HR while writing on the side. I experienced this firsthand when, while working full time, I had a letter published in The New York Times more than 10 years ago, which opened the door to one opportunity after another.
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