After a nationwide search for a new executive director, the OSEA Board of Directors and interview team have chosen a candidate close to home: Susan Miller, OSEA’s director of field operations since 2016.
Susan has served as executive director in an interim capacity since Rick Shidaker’s retirement in August 2021. She has a strong labor background with 20 years’ experience working with unions. Susan spent nearly 15 years with AFT-Oregon, where her work included program management between AFT’s four Oregon affiliates. Her parents, a carpenter and a school secretary, were active in their labor unions, and Susan became a dues-paying union member for the first time in college. Susan taught Head Start in college while studying to become a teacher.
Many OSEA members already know Susan well from her work with OSEA. She has been a key member of OSEA’s leadership team for the last six years. As director of field operations, Susan has led field representatives in bargaining, grievances and representation for chapters across the state through some of the most transformative years in our union’s history.
OSEA President Lisa Gourley invited OSEA members to join her in welcoming Susan to her new role, saying “On behalf of the OSEA Board of Directors, I can say that we are impressed with Susan’s leadership and her dedication to OSEA members. We are thrilled that she has accepted the executive director position on a permanent basis.”