Suzanne Devlin

Mentorship Commitment Preference: Engage in a long-term mentorship (connect with your mentee throughout the semester, outside of LinkUp events — frequency and format are flexible)

Industry: Retired; previously law enforcement

Areas Suzanne is interested in mentoring: 

• Internship Guidance
• Work-life Balance
• Career Planning
• Networking Strategies
• Leadership Growth
• Industry Insights and Trends

Bio: Suzanne is a distinguished leader with over 33 years of service in law enforcement, the military, and public safety. She began her career as a U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor and Air Traffic Controller before serving as Deputy Chief of Police for Fairfax County. Following her retirement, she contributed her expertise as a consultant to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis and later served as Supervisor of Safety and Security for Loudoun County Public Schools, retiring prior to national controversies. As CEO of SafeSchoolhouse LLC, Suzanne now serves as an expert witness specializing in law enforcement practices, use of force, and school security matters.

How did you get your first job? Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps

If you were starting your career today, what is the one piece of advice you would give yourself? Always develop a support network outside and apart from your career field.

In what ways has your career path been unique or unconventional? In every way my career path was unique for its time.  Air Traffic Control had only just been open to women due to Title VII changes in the 1964 Civil Rights Act so women could no longer be discriminated in employment.  This is how I was able to  both enter into Air Traffic Control and  later transition to a law enforcement career.   I became one of only 7 women  in the  50 major cities of police departments in the Country  to serve as a Chief of Police in a major city. ( I was the Interim  Police Chief in Fairfax County in 2004). Every position I achieved during my police career was a first or one of very few women.

When I retired, I entered into Intelligence work combating “ Terrorism, “ which was also considered unique for its time.  I later worked in establishing mediation in schools through early conference development and worked as a mediator in dispute resolution, which was revolutionary at the time.  As a result of my teaching and speaking connections with George Mason, I was contacted and ultimately hired as an “expert witness” to represent the victim’s family in a national shooting case where the family collected the highest ever settlement due to police misconduct.

What career paths have you explored or transitioned between? Throughout my career, I have transitioned across several interconnected fields, beginning in the military and advancing into law enforcement, emergency management, and school security. My experience includes serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, leadership roles in policing, and deployment to New Orleans to assist the Mayor during Hurricane Katrina. I have also specialized in mediation and dispute resolution, applying those skills to promote effective communication and problem-solving in complex environments. Today, I continue to contribute to public safety as an expert witness in law enforcement, use of force, and school security matters.

What skills or experiences have been most valuable in your career?

• Communication
• Athletic ability
• Marksmanship
• Leadership
• Decision making
• Team building
• Conflict Management

Affinity Groups Suzanne was part of during her time at Mason: 

• Conflict Management
• CHSS Scholarship Offering ( ongoing )

Suzanne is open to participating in informational interviews