Susan Towler

Susan B. Towler is the vice president for The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, Inc., established in 2001 as the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. She is also executive director, Community Affairs, for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and has responsibility for the company’s community investment strategy. She was formerly the public relations director for BCBSF, the state’s leader in the health industry. She joined the company in April 1996 and has had responsibility for leading the company’s public affairs programs and providing strategic counsel on critical business issues.  She holds a health, life and variable annuity license through BCBSF.

She joined BCBSF from Robin Shepherd Public Relations, where she served as client services manager. Susan started her public relations career at Gulf Life Insurance Company in Jacksonville. After three years at Gulf Life, she became director of corporate communications for BancBoston Mortgage Corporation. Following that role, Susan started SEB Communications, a public relations consulting firm. She owned the business for three years, and then joined Robin Shepherd Public Relations.

Actively involved in the philanthropic sector, Susan is a member of the Council on Foundations, the Southeastern Council of Foundations, the Donors Forum of Northeast Florida, and the Florida Philanthropic Network. Susan is the past chair of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida and is a past member of United Way’s Campaign Cabinet. Susan is a graduate of Leadership Florida and currently serves on their Council of Advisors.

Susan was appointed in 2008 by Governor Charlie Crist for a three year-term on the Governor’s Commission on Community Service.  Susan serves on the boards of Jacksonville Community Council, Inc., Florida Vision Quest and is a member of the Women’s Giving Alliance.  Susan is also an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, where she served as president of the North Florida chapter in 1996. She currently serves as a member of the University of Florida Public Relations Advisory Board.  She is the past board president for All Saints Early Learning and Community Care Center and is a past president of Esprit de Corps.  Susan has received numerous honors and awards, including the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction, the PRSA North Florida Ray Bullard Award, and honored as a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Susan graduated from the University of Florida in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She and her husband, Jim, both grew up in Jacksonville and have a nine-year-old daughter, Emma, and Mr. Pickles, a French bulldog.