Suzanne Rauvola, longtime staff member, retires

Nearly three eventful decades with the Foundation come to a close

At the end of July, Suzanne Rauvola shut down her laptop at the Northland Foundation for the last time. 

Suzanne joined the foundation in July of 1997 as Receptionist. She quickly moved into the role of Administrative Assistant and steadily took on new responsibilities, ending her career as the Systems Manager.  

Along the way, she touched nearly every corner of the organization.

Through her tenure at the foundation, Suzanne provided accounting support, staffing for Youth In Philanthropy, and was a key member of the Business Services Program. She helped administer Early Learning Scholarships and was always ready to help wherever needed.  

She has been Northland’s IT liaison and go-to person for technical support. When staff had a question about a process, a system, or an efficiency, Suzanne knew the answer or would track it down until she did. 

Following the foundation’s pandemic-related office closure, Suzanne was the sole employee who returned full-time to the office. Alongside her regular duties, she was the friendly face who greeted visitors and accepted deliveries. 

Though her degree was in English not technology, Suzanne built expertise in servers, systems, laptops, and software. She helped lead the foundation’s transition from Pearl to Salesforce and guided the loan program through its loan servicing software implementation — technical undertakings she wouldn’t have guessed awaited her back in 1997. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Suzanne for all these years,” said Zane Bail, Senior Vice President of Programs and Development. “She has been a trusted colleague and a good friend—not just to me, but to so many people across our region. She will be missed.” 

Colleagues describe Suzanne as steady, thorough, intelligent, funny, and reliable. Her nearly three decades of institutional knowledge, problem-solving, and behind-the-scenes support helped the Northland Foundation grow into the organization it is today. 

Said Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation’s President, of Suzanne: “Her sharp organizational skills, wide-ranging expertise, flexibility, and candor made her an invaluable team member. We wish her happiness as she sets off on new adventures.” 

Reflecting on her nearly three decades at Northland, Suzanne noted that the work has never been simply about moving money or running programs but about building community, creating opportunity, and caring for the region and for one another. “Working here has been an incredible journey and an honor,” she said.  

Thank you, Suzanne, for all your dedication!