Susan A. Escher, M.B.A

Susan brings more than 30 years of experience as an executive leader and board member across the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She has worked in a variety of fields in the United States and abroad, including technology, fintech, social services, professional organizations, education, and the arts.

Her experience spans groups of all sizes, from founder-led startups to established organizations. She excels in partnering with leadership to develop disciplined governance, scalable financial infrastructure, and metric-driven performance management.

Susan has served across the C-suite as a CEO, CFO, COO, and CIO, leading strategy, finance, operations, compliance, and expansion. She has a proven track record of guiding organizations through pivotal stages of growth, all while fostering a positive culture for staff, volunteers, and clients.

Susan brings deep expertise in strategic planning, financial rigor, operational sustainability, and hands-on leadership. Her guidance helps organizations expand effectively and sustainably over time.

The Kansas City Business Journal recognized Susan in its 2022 class of Women of Influence, honoring outstanding female leaders who make significant contributions to the Kansas City metro area.

Susan is the CEO and Founder of Symphony Financial Group in Kansas City. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Missouri–Kansas City Bloch School and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Kansas. Additionally, she is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

She currently serves on the boards of Band of Angels, Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Heartland Chapter and brings experience serving on numerous boards and philanthropic initiatives.