Photo by Robb Major/Charles Ryan Associates.
By Maggie Matsko
Susan HELLEMS Lavenski, CEO and owner of Charles Ryan Associates (CRA), credits her success to the grace of God, hard work, determination and the help of many people.
As a Lewisburg native, Lavenski’s desire to climb the ranks was instilled in her as a very young girl. “I definitely received my work ethic from my parents,” she says. “I also have an inner drive to succeed—I have always pushed myself to work harder and longer, to be more dedicated than was expected.”
That dedication and work ethic has helped her excel in her career path. After graduating from Marshall University, Lavenski took on the position of special events coordinator for Children’s Treatment Center, a nonprofit in Clarksburg, WV. “This role gave me a great opportunity to work independently,” she says. “I had to prepare and implement communications plans that included planning special events, garnering earned media and fundraising. It was a great learning opportunity.”
That job was a valuable stepping stone, but Lavenski had her sights set on a bigger dream. “When I was in college, I set a goal for myself to one day work at CRA,” she says. Her dream came to fruition in the fall of 1998 when she accepted the position of senior account executive with the communications firm, and she has been there for the last 20 years. During that time, she has held many roles, including vice president, senior vice president, managing partner and now CEO and owner.
Lavenski has found fulfillment by embracing her true passion of public relations, and she encourages others to embrace what they love as well. “I encourage young women to find their passion,” she says. “Find a career path that excites you and makes you want to get up in the morning. Also, always remember there will be people along your path who will help you, guide you and provide resources to you.”
Today, Lavenski and Caryn Durham are the majority owners of CRA. They work alongside three partners—Matt Fidler, Matt Isner and Alisha Maddox—to carry out the mission of the award-winning communications firm. CRA is the largest communications firm headquartered in West Virginia and one of the largest women-owned firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. The firm has 40 employees and office locations in Charleston, WV; Richmond, VA; and Columbus, Ohio.
CRA’s top priority is taking care of its employees, so it is very important to the management team that staff has time to give back to their communities. Employees are offered paid time off to volunteer with organizations of their choosing. “At CRA, we believe every business has a responsibility to give back to its respective community,” says Lavenski. “If we want our community to thrive and be a great place to work, live and raise our kids, we have an obligation to help with that effort.”
Lavenski practices what she preaches and has personally served in a variety of community service roles. She is a board member for Thomas Health System, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and West Virginia Roundtable; member of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council, Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, Chemical Industry Council, National Association of Women Business Owners and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s education policy working group; and chairwoman of the Energy Speaks Education Initiative. She also volunteers as the marketing and communications chairwoman for the West Virginia Manufacturers Association; a member of the Charleston Area Alliance’s innovation, research and development committee; a committee member for the Marcellus and Manufacturing Development Conference; and an advisory council member for Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications.
Lavenski’s career and volunteerism have provided her the opportunity to travel from coast to coast, but she has been honored to be able to live and raise her children in West Virginia. “My work has taken me all over the country, but I am always happy when that plane lands in Charleston or Huntington or when I see the West Virginia welcome sign,” she says. “I am proud to be born and raised in the Mountain State—this will always be my home.”
1992 Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations journalism from Marshall University
1994 Graduated with a master’s degree in political science from Marshall University
1998 Hired as a senior account executive for Charles Ryan Associates
2000 Named vice president at Charles Ryan Associates
2002 Named senior vice president at Charles Ryan Associates
2010 Named a member of WVE’s Young Guns Class of 2011
2015 Became the CEO and an owner of Charles Ryan Associates
2017 Inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism & Mass Communications Hall of Fame
2018 Opened CRA’s third location in Columbus, Ohio
