Susan Corbett
Former First Lady of Pennsylvania
2022
Susan Corbett served as First Lady of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015. During her tenure, she was an active advocate for arts and cultural institutions and incorporating the arts in public education. Her primary initiative was Opening Doors—a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Everyone Graduates Center of Johns Hopkins University. The initiative focused on increasing the high school graduation rate by early identification of at-risk students and intervention during middle school years. Corbett’s career focused on nonprofit management with leadership positions at Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures and the Gettysburg Foundation. Her volunteer efforts have included board positions at various education, cultural and arts organizations, Lebanon Valley College (her alma mater), Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
At the Summit
The Summit was more than empty words – it made clear that a solution-driven approach is the only way to fight hate. That’s why the working group activities, which are results driven are going to be critical in defeating violent extremism. The Summit brought together the best minds in government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Being surrounded by these experts sparked new ideas – some of which I’ve already implemented or have written about.
