Her Story
About Susan
Susan Gregg is a seasoned media relations and communications professional with 25 years of experience at UW Medicine in Seattle. She oversees a team of about six in the media relations department at Harborview/UW Medicine, managing proactive and reactive media relations, crisis communications, and serving as a spokesperson. Her work includes fielding media inquiries, writing stories for the newsroom, and producing expert interviews for broadcast. Earlier roles at Seattle Children’s in communications and at the Washington State Energy Office built her expertise in public information and media relations. She holds a BA in Public Relations from the University of Washington, with additional early experience including an internship with the Northwest Asian community organization and work at Como TV.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
My mother has been the role model for me. She was a single mother who came to Seattle without a job, worked two jobs starting as a secretary at a paper mill and became the first woman safety supervisor there.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
People giving you confidence that you're on the right track, believing in you, and helping you realize you're human and will make mistakes but to accept that and learn from it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you're not quite sure and haven't found your passion, keep looking because you want to enjoy what you're doing. Volunteer, get out there and be an intern, and you'll find the home that makes you the most happy and satisfied. There should be more pluses than minuses.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include funding cuts to healthcare and presenting faculty and researchers to humanize the impact. Opportunities involve assessing how people get information, diversifying channels to meet both younger and geriatric populations where they are at.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, professionalism, camaraderie, teamwork, kindness.
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