Suzanne Newman has been closely involved with The Country Friends for twenty years as an officer, board member, and co-chair of the Art of Fashion, the nonprofit’s signature fundraiser. She continues the legacy begun by her late mother, Jean, who served as past president, board member and longtime manager of The Country Friends Consignment Shop on El Tordo in Rancho Santa Fe.

“It is an honor to follow in my mother’s footsteps in service to The Country Friends,” says Newman. “I look forward to continuing to work with a wonderful board of directors and membership who are all so committed to helping San Diegans in need.”

Newman has spent more than four decades in the travel industry, currently serving as director of supplier relations-airlines with Irvine-based LUXE Travel Management and prior to that, as LUXE’s director of account development. Previously, she held positions at AcuFlight, Inc., Carlson Wagonlit Travel and American Airlines. Her awards include “The Order of the Golden Rose” from Carlson for helping to integrate companies involved in the largest travel management company acquisition to date. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College in Claremont, California. Newman has served on several advisory and philanthropic boards.