Susanne Sartelle has served five different communities in two states over a 20+ year career as a chamber of commerce professional.  She began that career in her hometown at the Conway, SC area Chamber of Commerce during summer break from college in 1983.  Since graduating from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Journalism and specialization in public relations in 1984, Sartelle has served chambers of commerce in Myrtle Beach, SC, and, in North Carolina, the South Brunswick Islands (Shallotte), Jacksonville, and Greenville.  She has been president of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce since December, 2001.

Sartelle earned her designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) in 2001.  In 2007, under her leadership, the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce was recognized as one of the top three chambers of its size in the country by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.  In 2008, Sartelle was named one of North Carolina's Exceptional Women Leaders by NC Magazine.

Sartelle completed an advanced degree - Master of Arts in Leadership - in August, 2008 from Bellevue University.  She is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institutes for Organization Management.  She is a former North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year as well as a recipient of the Business/Professional Distinguished Woman's Award in Onslow County.  She has received awards for her work in education including TechPrep's NC Outstanding Community Support Person of the Year and the Governor's Education First Award for the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce's Partners in Education program.  She has also been recognized by both the Onslow County and Pitt County school systems as well as Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for leadership and community service.  In 2007, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Coastal Carolina.

Sartelle has served as a faculty member of Institutes for Organization Management and had led seminars and workshops on topics ranging from leadership to marketing.  She has even made her way into the pulpit on occasion, preaching on topics such as vision and hope.  She was tapped in 2004 to provide the commencement address for East Carolina University's School of Communications.  In 2008 she was commencement speaker for Pitt Community College.

Sartelle is extremely passionate about and believes her purpose is to serve and help communities grow and prosper.  Locally, she is Chairman of the Board of LIFE of NC, Inc. which is parent to the STRIVE program, a non-profit attitude training program that changes lives by getting people from welfare to work.  She previously served on the board of the local homeless shelter, Greenville Community Shelters, and was Chairman of its Fundraising Committee for two years.  Sartelle is an active member of Jarvis United Methodist Church, having served in both music and speaking roles.