Susan Lewandowski
Susan Lewandowski is an accomplished leader with over two decades of experience in the promotional products and wholesale industries. As Managing Director at BEL Promo, Susan has played a pivotal role in driving growth, expanding customer retention, and enhancing brand presence across competitive markets. Her expertise spans P&L management, customer analytics, and integrated marketing strategy—skills that have consistently delivered strong business outcomes and long-term client relationships.
Known for her people-first leadership style, Susan is passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of mentorship and accountability. She brings a deep understanding of customer behavior, market trends, and performance analytics to every initiative, helping organizations maximize both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for being a strategic thinker and problem-solver with a hands-on, solution-driven approach.
Susan holds a degree in Marketing from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and has earned her Certified Advertising Specialist and MASI credentials. Her dedication to personal and professional development continues to inspire others in the industry. Whether leading strategic initiatives or engaging with industry partners, Susan is driven by her core values of authenticity, resilience, and innovation.
• Masters of Advertising Speciality Institute
• Certifiied Advertising Specialist
• PennWest Clarion
• GCPPA
What do you attribute your success to?
I credit my success to the example set by my mother, who raised our family from a wheelchair after surviving polio. She owned her own business and always told me I could achieve anything. That belief has guided me throughout my career. Managing a McDonald’s right out of college taught me invaluable leadership skills. From there, I moved into advertising, where I helped grow a company from $18M to $40M by focusing on relationships and the big picture. One of my proudest achievements is turning around my current company’s reputation—earning an A+ rating and 4.5+ star reviews by transforming online criticism into actionable improvement.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to stay curious, embrace learning, and be open to new opportunities. I also wish someone had told me earlier that leadership can sometimes feel lonely—and that it's okay to be vulnerable. We all fail at times, but how we rise from those moments shapes who we become. I’ve learned to lean on my allies, foster support, and lead with humility.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the ongoing barrier for women entering C-suite roles. While progress has been made, these positions still feel heavily guarded, and women remain underrepresented. There's also a double standard—women leaders are often juggling family responsibilities, yet that’s sometimes seen as a weakness rather than a strength. Additionally, not all women in leadership uplift others, which can make advancement even more difficult. We need to shift the narrative: women can lead, raise families, and excel in executive roles—and we deserve the same respect and support as our male counterparts.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity is one of the most important values to me, both personally and professionally. I believe in showing up as my true self and encouraging others to do the same. Confidence is also key—especially when pursuing new opportunities. Too often, women feel they need to meet every requirement before applying for a role, but the truth is, if you're 50% qualified, you should still go for it. We don’t need to have all the answers or hide our vulnerability. Growth happens when we push past doubt and allow ourselves to pursue our full potential.