Susan O. Schall
Susan Schall, Ph.D., is a recognized expert in transforming small U.S. manufacturing workplaces into high-performing, sustainable organizations. With a career spanning over three decades, she is the Founder and Lead Consultant of SOS Consulting, LLC, where she partners with leaders to solve complex operational challenges, improve productivity, and develop workforce capabilities. Drawing on her deep expertise in industrial engineering, process improvement, and organizational health, Susan helps companies turn people, processes, and data into competitive advantages. She is also an adjunct instructor at Graduate School USA, teaching management analysis courses, including data storytelling, and statistics. Dr. Schall’s work focuses on bridging the gap between traditional process improvement approaches and practical, results-driven leadership. She emphasizes that true transformation requires shifting mindsets and behaviors, cultivating leadership that focuses on vision, alignment, and execution (VAE), and developing teams capable of critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Her consulting experience spans industries including chemical, food and beverage, automotive, industrial supply, higher education, nonprofit, and printing, helping organizations achieve measurable improvements such as increased throughput, reduced costs, and stronger workforce engagement. Beyond her professional consulting, Susan is an active contributor to the broader manufacturing and industrial engineering community. She has served in leadership roles with the American Society for Quality (ASQ), the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE), and ABET, shaping accreditation standards and promoting excellence in engineering education. Susan is a published author and frequent speaker on topics such as organizational health, process improvement, and workforce development. Passionate about the dignity of work and creating workplaces where employees flourish, she continues to advocate for systemic solutions that strengthen U.S. manufacturing and empower leaders to create meaningful, high-impact results.
• ANSAC Team Chair
• Commissioner
• Statistical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Top Professional
• Program Evaluator
• Change Practitioner
• The Six Types of Working Genius Certification
• Honored Listee
• Penn State University - Ph.D.
• Medallion Award
• Cerified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence
• Excellence in Project & Quality Management
• Published article
• Fellow
• Engineering Bronze Award
• Engineering Silver Award
• Certified Quality Engineer
• Northern Shenandoah Valley ASQ Section 1131
• IIE
• ASQ
• American Society for Quality
• ABET
• ISEA
• Northern Shenandoah Valley Section ASQ
• Northern Shenanaoh Valley American society for Quality, Section 131
• Front Royal United Methodist Church
• Northern Shenandoah Valley ASQ Section 12131
• ISEA - International Statistical Engineering Association
• Northern Shenandaoh Valley ASQ Section 1131
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the dedication and hard work I have invested over the past 40 years in my field. I began my career with esteemed organizations such as Kodak, DuPont, and GE gaining invaluable experience in the corporate world. After several years, I felt ready to take the next step and establish my own LLC, allowing me to channel my expertise and vision independently. Along the way, I have been fortunate to work with remarkable leaders and mentors and now pay it forward to nurture the next generation of engineers and leaders.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that with hard work, dedication, and commitment to both your field and your team, you can accomplish any goals you set for yourself. Success comes from staying focused, giving your best, and supporting those around you along the way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: have confidence in your expertise, values, and worth to the organization. Work/study hard, keep challenging yourself, and pursue every opportunity to grow—both personally and professionally. Be true to yourself; don't compromise your values. Combined these will pave the way for your success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge facing manufacturing right now is workforce. Our population is declining and aging. The next generation perceives manufacturing as dark, dirty and not a place for career growth. Yet manufacturing offers dynamic careers that pay well with benefits. Opportunities exist for individuals that want to learn and grow that do not require the debt of a four-year college degree.
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 on service - helping others to flourish in life and work. I strive to work in environments where success is measured not by financial gain, but by the satisfaction and happiness that come from meaningful work and making a positive impact.