Susan Salgado

Susan Reilly Salgado, Ph.D. founded Hospitality Quotient with Danny Meyer in 2010. The initial connection she established with the company as a Union Square Cafe regular in the 1990s later informed and inspired her dissertation research on USHG’s organizational culture, while pursuing a Ph.D. in Management and Organizational Behavior at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Upon completing her dissertation, Salgado joined USHG as its first-ever Director of Culture and Learning in 2003. In this role, Salgado created and implemented the company’s leadership training programs, upon which HQ’s programs are based.

Salgado’s expertise in organizational behavior focuses on assessing, building, and sustaining culture through effective leadership. As HQ’s primary thought-leader, Salgado brings passion, energy, and intellect to the intuitive notions of hospitality as she helps clients execute and sustain cultural shifts, and adopt effective leadership strategies to put hospitality at the center of their business models.

In addition to her Ph.D., Salgado holds a BS and an MBA from Lehigh University. A celebrated educator, Salgado has instructed and guest-lectured in business classes at NYU and Lehigh, and has addressed audiences from a wide range of industries, including engagements with Citibank Small Business Seminars, TEDx, Share Our Strength, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.