Susan Sobbott

Susan Sobbott is President & General Manager of OPEN from American Express, the division dedicated exclusively to the success of small business owners and their companies. OPEN is the fastest-growing proprietary business unit within American Express, and the nation’s largest credit and charge card issuer for small business. Daughter of the owner of a small trucking business, Susan returned to her small business roots when she joined the OPEN team in 2003 and was named its President in 2004.

Since her becoming President, OPEN has achieved and retained record numbers of new card accounts, leading to a doubling of charge volume and pre-tax income. Under her leadership, OPEN has been recognized by NAWBO as Corporate Partner of the Year and by B2B Magazine as one of Business to Business Best Brands of 2006.

Susan joined American Express in 1990. She has played a leadership role in many of the milestones that contributed directly to the Company’s growth: developing and managing reward programs and strategic partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers; creating and launching innovative new products that attracted new customers; and signing up new merchants that broadened the range of places Members could use their cards. During her 17 years with American Express, she has managed brand, marketing, operations and technology infrastructures, and defined strategies for growth.

Susan Sobbott is committed to leadership development, especially among women. She currently co-chairs American Express’ Women’s Issues Network, which helps develop female talent at American Express, and is a long-time mentor and advisor for Women Unlimited, Inc., a leadership development program for executive women. In addition, Susan is Honorary Chair of the Women’s Leadership Exchange Advisory Board, Co-Chair of Corporate Council of the White House Project, recipient of the YMCA- NYC Women Achievers Award, Office Depot Corporate Visionary Award, Business to Business Marketer of the Year, the Count Me In Leadership Award for advancing the success of women small business owners and the Women’s Leadership Exchange Compass Award for shifting the paradigm of how women are perceived as leaders.

Susan graduated from Georgetown University in the top 10 of her class. After a time on Wall Street, she then earned an MBA and became a Shermet Scholar at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

A mother of two children under 4, Susan lives in New Jersey, where she enjoys spending time with her family and restoring her “antique” home.