Susan Coleman Receives Metzger Award at UMW’s Women’s Leadership Colloquium
November 10, 2023 by Guest Author
Local leader Susan Coleman has received the 2023 Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award. With successful stints in the Fredericksburg-area banking and medical industries, Coleman, now a life coach, was applauded for her career journey and dedication at last week’s 29th annual Women’s Leadership Colloquium at the University of Mary Washington.
The event – a beacon of empowerment, inspiration and resilience for professional women from diverse backgrounds for nearly three decades – took place Thursday, Nov. 2, at UMW’s Stafford Campus. Named for the late Mary Washington professor who helped found the colloquium, the Metzger award goes each year to someone who upholds high standards and achieves success both personally and professionally.
Early in her career, Coleman set herself apart as a leader in the financial sector, serving in pivotal roles as a business development officer, branch manager and vice president at Wachovia Bank. Her responsibilities included overseeing branch offices throughout Richmond and Fredericksburg.
As her professional journey continued, Coleman’s impact extended to marketing, business development and staff development across various organizations, including Bankers Title of Fredericksburg and National Bank of Fredericksburg, where she provided regional executive leadership and oversight in multiple local territories. Additionally, she served as chief executive officer of Salem Fields Community Church, motivating pastors, directors and managers through leadership development, mentoring and coaching.
Taking a significant turn toward community health, wellness education and marketing, Coleman held several key positions during her tenure at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center. She served there as regional site coordinator for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and as director of professional development, education and volunteers, marketing and communications, and business health.
She also ventured into life coaching, becoming a credentialed John C. Maxwell leadership coach, speaker and teacher, and forming Susan J. Coleman Coaching Services, where she guides individuals toward financial freedom, leadership development, career advancement and personal development.
Rappahannock United Way President Janel Donohue, who nominated Coleman for the Metzger Award, praised her unwavering commitment to doing the right thing, fostering open and truthful communication, and persevering with a positive attitude during challenging times.
A graduate of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fredericksburg, Coleman continues to serve as a mentor in the program. She has contributed thousands of hours to community service, engaged with local churches and organizations, and demonstrated a dedication to lifelong learning.
UMW Associate Provost of Career and Workforce Kimberly Young, who co-chairs the colloquium with Executive Director of Human Resources Beth Williams, said she hoped Coleman’s story and the day’s theme of resilience will leave a lasting impact on attendees.
“It’s because people lifted me up that I could lift up others,” Coleman said as she accepted the award. “To each woman in this room, thank you so much.”
About the Women’s Leadership Colloquium at UMW
The mission of the Colloquium is to create conversations and connections for a lifetime of learning and leadership. The Colloquium prepares women for and supports women in leadership positions. Highlights are an annual conference, monthly coffee conversations and a monthly blog. The Colloquium attracts managers, administrators, educators, business owners and leaders of public, private and nonprofit organizations. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about the Women’s Leadership Colloquium and the Patricia Lacey Metzger Award.
Criteria
The Patricia Lacey Metzger Award recipient will be a woman who has:
- Distinguished herself as a leader in her chosen field
- Demonstrated personal and professional integrity
- Committed, by her actions, to community service and lifelong learning
- Participated as a speaker or attendee in the Leadership Colloquium @ UMW
August 2024 – Nominations open
October 2024 – Deadline for nominations
To nominate: send an email to Committee Chair, when applications open. In the email, indicate the compelling reasons why you are nominating this deserving woman. Make sure you also include the nominee’s name and contact information. In additional, if she has a LinkedIn profile, please share that link.
Past Metzger Award Winners:
Year Awarded:
1999 Margaret Blackmon, Superintendent, Prince Edward City Public Schools
2000 Natalie Davis, Director of Volunteer Services, Stafford County Government
2001 Nancy Pierce, Regional Vice President, GEICO Direct
2002 Mary Zarcone, Assistant Vice President Underwriting, GEICO Direct
2003 Gail Johnson, Founder, Rainbow Station
2004 Kay Dunkley, Lord Fairfax Community College
2005 Mary Louise Holmes, VP Human Resources, The National Bank of Fredericksburg
2006 Theresa Livelsberger, GEICO
2007 Alda White, Retired Stafford County Attorney
2008 Maria Snellings Franklin, Union Bank
2009 Linda Worrell, Worrell Management Group
2010 Dana Herlong, Herlong Associates, Inc.
2011 Meta R. Braymer, University of Mary Washington
2012 Martha O’Keefe, Germanna Community College
2013 Kara Ward, Your Launch Group
2014 Amanda Talbert, GEICO
2015 Janel Donohue, Rappahannock United Way
2016 Susan Spears, Greater Regional Chamber of Commerce
2017 Dr. Marci Catlett, Fredericksburg City Public Schools
2018 Martha Hutzel, Central Rappahannock Regional Library
2019 Lynne Richardson, University of Mary Washington
2020 Susan Worrell, University of Mary Washington
2022 Stephanie Lyles, Topside Federal Credit Union
2023 Susan Coleman, Susan J. Coleman Coaching Services