Suzanne Durham served as the CEO of the YWCA Central Alabama for 34 years, retiring December 2013.  She also has served on the YWCA USA national board and is a past chair of the national board.  Although she is retired, she will stay involved with the YWCA Central Alabama through the CEO transition.

Durham is very active in her local community where she has served on many boards.  She was twice named by The Birmingham News as one of the “10 Most Influential Women in Birmingham.”  In 2004, she was named “Business Woman of the Year” by the Birmingham Business Journal, the first time a non-profit professional has received this award.  The Association of Fundraising Professionals named Durham the Fundraising Executive of the Year for 2010 and B-Metro Magazine named her on their inaugural “A” List in January 2011. In 2012, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the University of Montevallo.  In 2013, she was named an inaugural Women Who Make a Difference by al.com/The Birmingham News/Birmingham Magazine/Red Mountain Theatre.  She also received Childcare Resources Lifetime Achievement award for her commitment to the well being of children.

Under Durham’s leadership, the YW has become a critical non-profit agency known for meeting dire needs in the community. The YW’s major programs are: affordable housing, affordable child care, domestic violence services and social justice programs.  The YW completed two capital campaigns under her leadership, both raising more than 14 million dollars.  The YW completed renovations in Woodlawn and received the American Planning Association’s 2013 National Planning Excellence Award for Advancing Diversity & Social Change in Honor of Paul Davidoff.  In 2013, the YW was honored to receive the Birmingham Business Journal’s Nonprofit Award for organizations with revenue of over $5 million.  The YW was also selected as one of Birmingham’s Most Admired Companies by Birmingham Rotary and the Birmingham Business Journal.