Speaker: Ms. Susan Guerin ’83, President & Chief Executive Officer
World Finer Foods
A respected business leader, Guerin is known for her ability to drive change and improve profitability while supporting top line growth. With a depth of international experience, specifically in consumer products, retail and apparel, she has worked with large multinational and small, domestic corporations.
In 2013, Guerin joined World Finer Foods, with more than 60 food and personal care brands, as Chief Financial Officer, responsible for finance, strategy, IT and supply chain. In 2014, Guerin was appointed President of World Finer Foods and in 2015 became the CEO. Since taking on this role, Guerin has rationalized and pivoted the portfolio of brands that are more aligned with consumers’ current tastes and needs, while improving cash flow, profitability, technology and services.
As a Managing Partner of Stratham Hills Partners, Guerin consulted for large and small clients on strategy development and execution, and supported entrepreneurs in launching startup companies and creating successful liquidity events. Previously, as SVP and CFO at Sun Chemical, a $4B company, Guerin led finance, IT, shared services, customer service, and the global packaging solutions business. As President of the Americas Apparel business at Paxar, Guerin led a successful turnaround, leading to undisputed market leadership and eventual takeover by Avery Dennison. Prior to Paxar, Guerin was the CFO of the Vehicle Services Division of Cendant Corporation and CFO of New York & Company. She began her career at Unilever, where she held management roles, both in the U.S. and overseas.
Guerin is a member of the Board and Finance Committee for Smith Foods, serves on the Board of Down the Block and has served on the boards of Vyteris Corporation, Paralec Corporation and Dr. Park Avenue. She has been recognized for her work at World Finer Foods as a winner of the Brava Award honoring top female CEOs, was named one of the top women in grocery in 2018 by Progressive Grocer, and was named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, President’s Council, Class Board and is the Reunion Chair for Cornell University.
Guerin holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from New York University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.