Susan McBryde
Susan McBryde is a seasoned early childhood education leader with over 36 years of experience advocating for children and families. As the Owner and Executive Director of Monkey Business Learning Center in Madison, Wisconsin, she has spent the past 17 years providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate care and education for children from birth to age five. Susan is also a four-time cancer survivor and a dedicated advocate for wellness and resilience, demonstrating both personal courage and professional commitment to the communities she serves.
A lifelong learner and scholar-practitioner, Susan is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Early Childhood Education and Leadership at the American College of Education, with expected completion in 2026. Her academic work, including her dissertation research on how working caregivers navigate school safety concerns, reflects her dedication to elevating the field of early childhood education through evidence-based practice and advocacy. Susan also holds multiple graduate degrees, including an EdS in Teaching and Learning and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as certificates from HarvardX and UC Berkeley in education and personal resilience.
Throughout her career, Susan has combined entrepreneurial leadership with transformational charisma, creating innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of children, families, and educators. She has served as a national assessor for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), accrediting facilities across the United States, including the U.S. Senate facility in Washington, D.C. Beyond her professional achievements, Susan is deeply committed to mentorship, anti-bias education, and cancer advocacy, embodying a philosophy of service, empowerment, and lifelong growth for both herself and the communities she supports.
• EdX Verified Certificate for The Science of Happiness
• EdX Verified Certificate for Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health
• ECD01: Early Childhood Development: Global Strategies for Implementation
• Indiana Wesleyan University - M.Ed.
• Kappa Delta Pi - Alpha Theta Psi Chapter
• Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA)
• Wisconsin Registry
• NAEYC
What do you attribute your success to?
When I reflect on what I attribute my success to, I realize it all comes back to my upbringing. I’m the middle child and the only girl in my family, with an older and a younger brother. My mom came from extreme poverty, yet she always pushed me—gently but persistently—to believe in myself. We never felt deprived growing up; we always had food, clothes, and a sense of happiness. But my mom had this extraordinary way of encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone.
Even in small moments, she would challenge me. If we were at an event and something needed to be done—decorating a tree, arranging a cake, or even something unexpected—she would say, “Susie can do it.” And somehow, I always did. I may not have known how at the time, but her unwavering belief planted a mindset in me that anything was possible if I tried. That mindset became the foundation of how I approach challenges: with curiosity, courage, and persistence.
I’ve learned that failure teaches more than success ever can. Each time I stumble, I gain lessons that shape the next step. My mom instilled in me a love of trying new things, taking risks, and believing in myself. It’s why, even today, I embrace new experiences—whether it’s trying a new activity on vacation or exploring uncharted professional opportunities. That mindset, that willingness to leap before knowing exactly how, is the core of my success, and it all started with my mom’s relentless belief in me.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life center around curiosity, learning, and connection. I have a deep love for travel, which I find both exhilarating and educational. Traveling allows me to experience how others live—their food, their culture, their climate, and the ways they navigate life. Every trip is an opportunity to learn, grow, and gain perspective, and I try to approach each experience with openness and appreciation.
Music has also always been a central part of my life. I’m a vocalist, a flutist, and have a background in percussion. Music brings joy, inspiration, and creativity into my life, and I make it a point to attend a wide range of performances, from major concerts to local live music events. It’s a way for me to connect with others and immerse myself in different expressions of art and culture.
I also value wellness and balance. I practice yoga regularly, which helps me stay grounded and focused in both my personal and professional life. Overall, I strive to live with curiosity, embrace new experiences, and cultivate creativity and well-being in everything I do.