“Trainer Communications' experience in working with early stage software companies was crucial in our selection of them. Their ability to develop and execute strategic PR campaigns produced tremendous results for us and directly resulted in numerous investor inquiries.”
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CEO and Co-Founder, iSpheres Corp.
Susan Trainer established Trainer Communications in 1995 to support some of the most prominent emerging technology companies with cutting-edge marketing communications services. Since that time, the agency has become the seventh largest privately held communications agency in the greater Bay Area and one of the Top 10 agencies to work for in the United States (according to a 2004 Holmes report). In recent years Trainer Communications has won numerous industry awards including the prestigious Anvil awards and the Bulldog Award. Trainer Communications has played an integral role in generating high-profile publicity for more than 150 startups, including BROCADE Communications (one of the top IPOs of 1999); Data Domain (liquidity event in 2007); Trigo (sold to IBM in 2004); Sygate (purchased by Symantec in 2006); CrossWorlds (sold to IBM in 2001); Oblix and its president, Gordon Eubanks; Versata (one of the top IPOs of Q1 2000); Cloudscape (purchased by Informix in June 1999); and GLog and Thor (both purchased by Oracle in 2005).
Susan began her career at computer hardware giant Telex in 1986. She continued there for seven years, through the company's merger with Memorex as the combined company became a $2 billion entity called Memorex Telex. Susan ultimately was responsibile for managing PR programs for all the strategic businesses, including the networking, personal computer, storage, and services divisions, as well as corporate communications. In 1993, Susan joined Sybase, Inc., where she was accountable for introducing and managing the communications for strategic System 10 products and strategic corporate initiatives.
Susan earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, and a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In 2002, the East Bay Business Times named her one of the top 40 East Bay executives under 40. Susan has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Hemispheres, MSNBC.com, Entrepreneur, East Bay Business Times, Silicon Valley Business Times, and Working Mother. In 2007, Susan was named as one of the 25 Women in the Bay Area Redefining Success by Flexperience. She’s been a featured speaker for TiEcon, IBD Networks, PRSA, Institute of Management Accountants, Software Developers Forum, and TechNet Conferences; and serves on the advisory boards for DPR and Girl Ambition. Susan currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Contra Costa County Mount Diablo YMCA and is a charter member of TiE ; is an advisor to the National YMCA organization, is a charter member of TiE, is a judge for the Stanford Business School’s entrepreneur awards, is a member of Women's President Organization, and is a founding member of Executives Leading Sustainable Change, an organization designed by the Institute for Women's Leadership.
Q&A:
- Favorite marketing scheme: Subtly naming my four kids after cities in Texas (Austen, Tyler, Katy and Addison)
- When did you first know you had a talent for marketing and sales? Selling more girl scout cookes than any of the others girls in the state of Kansas at 10 years old (559 boxes out of a red wagon).
- Did you know? Susan loves muscle cars – especially her 2001 Viper.
- What's your favorite way to blow off steam? A winning overhead smash in a challenging tennis match.
- Most daring adventure: Learning to knife fight during a leadership class.
- Current pasttime: Trying to learn more about all the wines I enjoy.
- Hero: My 85 year old mother who trusts her instincts and taught me to be mentally tough.
