Susan Crystal-Mansour

VP Program Impact, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)

Susan Crystal-Mansour serves as Vice President of Program Impact, leading the implementation andexecution of the Foundation’s portfolio of programs and research. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Crystal-Mansour served as a Senior Study Director and Director of Association Services at Westat, where she led multiple research projects and programs and a team of professionals serving associations and foundations with program and evaluation services.

Dr. Crystal-Mansour oversees the Foundation’s programs, which include launching the first-ever restaurant manager apprenticeship program for the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Restaurant Ready, a partnership with community-collaboratives nationwide dedicated to teaching industry job and life skills to disengaged populations, and under Restaurant Ready HOPES, Hospitality Opportunities for People reEntering Society, which focuses specifically on justice involved young adults and connecting training, education, and work experience with opportunity as they re-engage with communities. Other programs spearheaded by the Foundation include:

• ProStart – a two-year pre-apprenticeship program offered at 1,900 high schools teaching 150,000 students essential skills in culinary arts and restaurant management
• Military – training and recognition to help military servicemen and women across all branches transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice jobs and careers
• Scholarships and Grants – awarding annual financial assistance to people from all backgrounds pursuing education and technical training

Dr. Crystal-Mansour received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tufts University and her Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology from the University of Washington. She also serves on and advisory Committee for NRWC, as well as serving on grant review advisory committees and panels for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).