Suzanne Spencer

Suzanne is the Communications Manager at two centers at UC Berkeley: the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center for Data Science and Environment (DSE) and the Stone Center for Environmental Stewardship. At DSE, she leads communications strategy and helps translate the team's research, models, and design into compelling digital and print materials for both academic and non-academic audiences. Suzanne writes annual reports, press releases, web and social media content, creates design assets, and more. She works with UC Berkeley media writers and local and international reporters to spotlight DSE's thought leadership and practical achievements in data and environmental science, including a tool for the United Nations to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the benefits of Indigenous-led AI development for conservation,, and perspectives on why we don't need to build more data centers to support scientific computing.

Suzanne has over 15 years of communications expertise in the nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sectors. Prior to joining DSE, she was a senior consultant at Full Court Press Communications, where she led efforts with Tribal leaders, scientists, funders, and advocates to persuade federal officials to conserve public lands throughout the western US. This included President Biden’s expansions of Berryessa Snow Mountain and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monuments. Suzanne holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Willamette University.

Suzanne loves spending time in Bay Area parks with her wife and their toddler and is an amateur ceramicist.