Aprio, a top 25 business advisory and accounting firm, announces the appointment of Susan Edwards as chief learning and development officer. Susan brings to Aprio extensive experience in leadership development, technical training, and talent retention. In her new role, she will focus on creating an impactful learning environment that fosters talent retention and recruiting, supporting Aprio’s commitment to long-term career growth and mobility for its team members.

Susan joins Aprio with a distinguished career in human resources, having designed and implemented comprehensive career and leadership development programs in various industries, most recently in healthcare, responsible for training over 13,000 employees. An executive coach with a Professional Certified Coach designation from the International Coaching Federation, she has a reputation for balancing organizational growth with meaningful employee engagement.

At Aprio, Susan will lead a team of 15 dedicated learning and development professionals to drive initiatives that modernize and expand the firm’s approach to skill building and career growth. She will oversee the development and delivery of self-paced, live webinar, and in-person learning experiences designed to support technical, professional, and leadership advancement, including CPE-compliant courses. By championing mentoring, coaching, and DEIB-focused programs, Susan aims to create accessible, strategic pathways that prepare team members for both immediate success in their roles and long-term career growth.

“I am thrilled to join Aprio and build a culture of continuous learning that sets us apart in the accounting profession,” said Susan. “From providing top-tier technical training to developing strong, consistent leadership across the firm, I’m excited to contribute to Aprio’s vision of growth and innovation. Our aim is to create a culture where everyone feels supported in reaching their full potential and prepared to tackle industry challenges with confidence and creativity.”

Susan earned a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“Susan brings a unique blend of empathy, innovation, and strategic focus that aligns perfectly with Aprio’s people-first approach,” said Richard Kopelman, CEO at Aprio. “Her track record of leading successful learning and development programs will elevate our commitment to investing in our team’s growth.”

To learn more about Susan, visit Aprio.com.