Speakers

Susan Viscon is Vice President and Executive director of Path Ahead Ventures – the co-op’s organization and $30 million venture fund dedicated to accelerating the success of founders of color in the outdoor industry. Her team’s work focuses on addressing the challenges that founders face by leveraging REI's capabilities, resources, customers and capital so they can grow and scale their businesses faster. Together, Path Ahead Ventures collaborates with these founders to create an outdoor industry where economic opportunity and success reflect the true diversity of people who love, protect and share life outside.  

Viscon has maintained strong ties with the broader outdoor industry and vendors through her years as REI’s Chief Merchant.  Among her achievements at the co-op, Susan has sponsored and led programs like the REI Force of Nature initiative to advance leadership, empowerment and presence for women in the outdoors. She is now the executive sponsor of the co-op’s Women’s employee resource group. 

She was recognized by Sporting Goods Business magazine as one of the “40 under 40” leaders of influence in the outdoor industry. She currently serves on the board of Outdoor Industry Association and has served as a member of the Camber Outdoors board, an organization dedicated to workplace equity, including terms as the board president.  She is a graduate HBS Corporate Director program and Seattle’s Leadership Tomorrow program. She enjoys hiking, skiing and travel with her family.