Suzy Papazian is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators. As Senior Director of the Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, she brings a wealth of executive and legal experience to her work guiding students, faculty, and partners in advancing Santa Clara University’s mission of innovation for impact.
A Lecturer in the Leavey School of Business, Suzy teaches BUSN 70 (Contemporary Business Issues) and MGMT 71 (Leadership), and has led strategy workshops for Executive MBA students. Her teaching reflects her passion for helping students connect business principles with real-world leadership and entrepreneurial practice.
Before joining Santa Clara University, Suzy served as General Counsel and C-Suite Executive Officer at SJW Group (now H2O America), a publicly traded company. Over her 16-year tenure, she guided the company through major growth initiatives—including a transformative acquisition that positioned it among the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utilities in the nation. Her expertise spans corporate strategy, M&A, P&L management, and legal affairs.
Earlier in her career, she was an Associate Attorney at The Corporate Law Group, advising executives and boards of both private and public companies on finance, corporate securities, and employment matters.
With her experience as an executive and over two decades of experience participating in boardrooms, Suzy is recognized for her collaborative leadership and ability to translate complex challenges into opportunities for growth.
In 2020, she was honored as one of the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 100 Women of Influence, recognizing her impact as a business leader and mentor.