Launching her own business allowed Susan Conrad to put into practice the business values that matter most to her.
“It provided me the opportunity to build a business based on real [mutual] value, trusted relationships and sustainable growth,” she said. “The lessons learned along the way have served me (and my clients) well on both the professional and personal front.”
In 1998, Conrad founded EICON Partners Inc., a management consulting firm with the mission to improve business performance and people’s lives.
She also serves as a partner at Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute. Since 2016, Conrad has helped organizations across the globe, such as American Airlines, Meijer, KeHE Distributors, West Monroe Partners, Great Northern Corporation, Keeley Companies, Enterprise Bank & Trust, DuraServ, Guarantee Electrical Co. and the University of Missouri.
And there are plans to broaden Chapman’s reach in the coming years, expanding to work with clients on just about every continent while continuing to bring a more human approach to work and leadership.
“Susan believes consistent performance and ongoing value creation begin with people-centric leadership, particularly in today’s knowledge economy,” her team said. “She has successfully applied this approach throughout her career in professional services, finance and real estate. Corporate and nonprofit leaders alike turn to Susan to navigate change, improve performance and develop future leaders.”
Her track record over 30 years demonstrates why her leadership and skills are in demand.
As a director of strategy and human resources for the Moneta Group, Conrad aligned resources to drive the vision, strategy and growth of the sixth-largest independent registered investment advisory firm in the U.S. and its 370-plus team members. As the president and founder of EICON, she has served as representative to commercial property owners and developers to help execute more than $100 million in complex real estate projects. As vice president of finance for Eisenhart & Associates/PMI-Eisenhart, Conrad grew a 100-employee, family-owned sales and marketing company by acquiring and blending more than 15 companies into a single organization with more than 2,000 employees.
“The most important attributes for great leaders from my perspective are: Empathy, authenticity, integrity and accountability,” she said. “Others that I’d include on the list are: Curiosity, humor and inclusivity.”
Conrad has served on many corporate and community-based boards, including Meyer Laboratory; Pittsburgh Pipe; Ross & Baruzzini, Inc.; Virtual Realty Enterprises; and Midwest BankCentre. Her community engagements include serving on the boards of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, Chaminade College Preparatory High School, the National Kidney Foundation of Eastern Missouri, St. Louis Regional Business Council, St. Joseph’s Academy, Marian Middle School and the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business.
