Sue Tran
About
SUE TRAN, JD
414.405.9135 | suetranbio@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/sue-tran
• C-Suite Executive with $10B fifth generation, family-owned, private company
• Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary to the Board of Directors
• Trustee for the SC Johnson Pension Plan Trust (2017-2021)
• Board Member, Racine Commercial Airport Corporation (2003-2008)
• Global Experience: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the former Soviet Union
• Private Company Governance Certificate, 2024
• Extensive background: Mergers & Acquisitions; Cybersecurity; Governance
Sue Tran is an experienced C-Suite executive and Board Director. She brings thirty years of experience tackling complex issues, collaborating with business partners to identify pragmatic solutions, and implementing programs to minimize future risks – all while focusing on ensuring long-term growth. She has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, governance, antitrust, global manufacturing, and domestic and global operations.
As Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary to the Board at S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. ($10B private, fifth generation, family-owned company), Sue was one of the three officers of the company and head of a 45-member corporate legal department with global reach. Additionally, she led the company’s Cybersecurity / Global Information Security function, developing the company’s data security strategy and managing cyberattacks.
Sue is among the first to be called in times of crisis. Sue also excels in anticipating and preparing for internal and external risks with potential disruption to corporate strategy. Prior to leading the legal function, Sue acted as Deputy General Counsel & Regional Lead Lawyer for operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union, where she honed her crisis management skills. She deftly navigated geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and Russia, clan issues in Nigeria, organized crime in Mexico, hyperinflation in Argentina, environmental issues in Europe, class action litigation in the U.S., plant construction in China, and a myriad of threats to the business.
Sue has led growth initiatives while serving as an executive member of the company’s Corporate Development committee, including working closely with the Chairman and CEO, to empower a New Ventures business unit to accelerate the company’s strategy of identifying, investing in, and acquiring start-ups and fast-growing brands. Sue also led numerous acquisitions around the world of varying sizes (start-ups to over $1B).
Sue is adept at distilling complexity and translating challenges into actionable outcomes. She is sought after for her collaborative, analytical and conflict resolution skills coupled with her integrity, pragmatism and passion for driving business results.
With a commitment to continue her career in corporate board service, Sue completed the Private Company Governance Certificate in 2024 from the Private Directors Association.
AREAS OF GREATEST IMPACT
• M&A - Strategy, Execution and Integration • Cybersecurity
• Crisis Management • Global Reach
• Private Company/Family Company/Succession • Enterprise Risk Management
• Corporate Governance
• Environmental, Health and Safety
BOARD AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Sue has served as a Board Director on major non-profit boards, often as a Member of the Executive Committee: Habitat for Humanity; Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast; Health Care Network, Inc.; Racine Art Museum; Racine County Economic Development Corporation; and Literacy Services of Wisconsin. EDUCATION University of Notre Dame Law School - Juris Doctorate University of Kansas - Double major with a B.S. in Business Administration and B.A. in Political Science
Additional Info
Sue Tran is a retired Senior Vice President - General Counsel & Secretary of SC Johnson & Son, Inc., a $10B family-owned, private global consumer products company with over 10,000 employees and operations in over 70 countries. During her 25-year tenure, she supported every aspect of its business, developing strategy, executing, and providing governance oversight. Sue's expertise is in M&A, antitrust, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, human resources, succession planning, leadership development, and sustainability/ESG. As Secretary to the Board, she oversaw corporate governance. Her expertise spans the globe, working with her colleagues to grow the business in Asia, North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Russian Federation.
Sue is sought after for her collaborative, analytical and problem-solving skills along with her pragmatism, integrity and drive for results. Sue is among the first to be called in a crisis. She has a keen ability to distill complexity into actionable, practical solutions focused on growth, which underscores her capability to drive shareholder value.
Sue's experience with complex M&A would be of value to a company seeking growth through acquisitions or looking to present itself as a clean acquisition target. Her compliance and regulatory background would be of value to a company in a highly regulated industry and a company with a global footprint or aspirations to expand globally. Her understanding of the complex footprint of a multinational with global operations in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics and distribution would be of value to companies in those industries. Additionally, Sue understands the unique culture of a private, multi-generation family-owned company and the importance of decision making with a long-term horizon.
Sue has also been an angel investor for over ten years, with a portfolio focused on technology start-ups and female entrepreneurs.
Board Service
Sue has served as a member of the board of Racine Commercial Airport Corporation. She has also served on a number of non-profit boards, many in leadership roles, including Health Care Network (Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Treasurer and Secretary), Racine Art Museum (Executive Committee and Secretary), Habitat for Humanity (Governance Committee), Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (Development Committee), Racine County Economic Development Corporation, and Literacy Services of Wisconsin.
Additional Information
Skills: Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, Enterprise Risk Management, Legal, Regulatory Compliance, Cybersecurity, Human Resources, and Marketing & Branding
Leadership on Board: Director, Executive Committee, Committee Chair, Committee Member, Secretary, and Treasurer
Level of Experience: EVP/SVP
Company Revenue: $10B
Industry: Consumer Products/Manufacturing
Committees: Audit, Finance, Executive, Risk, Nominating & Governance
Board Experience: Private and Non-for-Profit