Vice President for Public Affairs and Executive Director for Gilcrease Museum
Susan Neal joined The University of Tulsa in May 2010. Neal comes to TU with more than 30 years of experience in government and community relations. While in Washington, D.C., Neal served as chief of staff to Congressman Mickey Edwards prior to her recruitment as a House and Senate lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Business. Upon her return to Tulsa in 1984, Neal served as vice president of Downtown Tulsa Unlimited for seven years working in community development.
Neal operated her own public relations company before becoming director of Jumpstart, Tulsa’s comprehensive early childhood education campaign. She was elected to serve two terms on Tulsa’s City Council after which she served on both Mayor Kathy Taylor’s and Mayor Dewey Bartlett’s management teams as director of community development and education. Neal continues to serve on numerous city and nonprofit boards in support of the Tulsa community.
Neal earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma State University in 1976.