May 14, 2026

In Memory of Suzanne Gage Brainard

Suzanne Gage Brainard, PhD, a pioneering advocate for equity in engineering education passed away on April 12, 2026, one month after her 81st birthday. She was loved and will be missed by her family. In 1988, Dr. Brainard joined the University of Washington (UW) as the Director of Women in Engineering. She later became the Executive Director of the UW Center for Workforce Development (CWD) (CERSE’s precursor), until her retirement in early 2015. CWD is an important part of the history of UW CERSE, and Suzanne was a mentor and supervisor to CERSE Director Liz Litzler for a decade.

Dr. Brainard co-founded WEPAN (Women in Engineering Program & Advocates Network, now WEPAN), a national non-profit that provides technical assistance for academia and industry seeking to encourage women to pursue engineering studies and work. Suzanne was nationally recognized with many honors including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, one of the highest distinctions for STEM mentorship in the United States, as well as the Maria Mitchell Women in Science Award. She was also elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association for Women in Science, reflecting her sustained impact on both science and society.

Dr. Brainard dedicated her life to expanding opportunity, reshaping institutions, and empowering generations of women to pursue and thrive in engineering careers. Known for her intellect, warmth, and unwavering sense of purpose, Suzanne was a mentor to countless students and colleagues. She believed deeply in the power of community and the importance of lifting others as one climbs. Many of her former students credit her guidance and encouragement as pivotal in their personal and professional journeys. Suzanne Gage Brainard’s life was one of purpose and impact. Her work opened doors for others and changed the face of engineering for the better. She will be remembered not only for her leadership and achievements, but for the countless lives she touched and inspired.

Suzanne at her retirement luncheon in 2015 with CWD staff members.

Several former colleagues shared their thoughts on Suzanne’s passing:

“It is hard to imagine that Suzanne is gone. She made a huge difference to me when I started at UW in 1990.” – Eve Riskin

“Suzanne was a mentor, cheerleader, and role model for me. I learned a lot about leadership from her and am honored to carry on her CWD legacy in CERSE.” –Liz Litzler

“Suzanne Brainard changed the course of my career by taking a chance on me and hiring me into CWD’s administrator role. Her encouragement to step outside my comfort zone and her belief in my ability to learn and grow gave me opportunities I never would have pursued on my own, and I will always carry her impact in my heart. Thank you, Suzanne, and may you rest in peace.” – Than Than Htwe

“Suzanne was an incredible mentor and role model for me and many others. She created a community of support at the Center for Workforce Development that allowed me to thrive and imagine success beyond my wildest dreams. She had a gift for seeing what students needed and then creating the ecosystem to make sure those needs were met.” – Sheila Edwards Lange

“Suzanne’s ability to foster belonging coupled with her fierce sense of justice and unwavering commitment to excellence was unmatched! I feel so honored to have worked with and known Suzanne. She welcomed me with open arms when I joined the UW ADVANCE team and pushed all of us to do and be better.” – Joyce Yen

“Suzanne Brainard was a true champion for women. I first met Suzanne as a newly arrived international student at the University of Washington. She hired me at CWD while I pursued my bachelors degree, and that opportunity gave me both stability and a sense of belonging. CWD became a home away from home. Every morning, she greeted everyone with her warm smile and perfectly coiffured hair. She had a way of making people feel welcomed and supported. Suzanne played an important role in shaping my early years as a student. She not only encouraged me to pursue scholarships at UW, but actively helped me secure them. She also encouraged me to pursue an MBA after my bachelor’s degree, something I eventually did years later. Looking back, I realize she planted that seed long before I could imagine it for myself.” – Gauri Gokhale

“Suzanne was an architect of opportunity on many levels through her research, her center at UW, and her individual impact on countless students. Suzanne’s research was bold, persistent, and necessary for its time. It has opened doors for under‑represented students in STEM at every rung: undergraduate dreamers, graduate scholars, faculty pioneers, and emerging leaders. For me, an inexperienced graduate student who arrived unsure and untested over 25 years ago, Suzanne taught me how to lead and how to stay steady in my beliefs and my worth. What she cultivates in people is the courage to contribute, to serve, and to make meaning in the world. Her legacy lives in every person she lifted, and I am honored to be one of them.” – Priti Mody-Pan

“Suzanne was more than a great leader – she was a fearless advocate for women pursuing an education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. With the assistance of her staff, she provided data to find ways to recruit and retain women where they were previously underrepresented. I was honored to work for Suzanne as her Administrative Assistant for 15 years. I learned a lot about what it takes to get a degree in a STEM field and I developed empathy and admiration for students going through the process. She will be missed, but her memory will stay on with those she inspired and encouraged.” – Claire Warren

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in her honor to organizations supporting women in engineering and STEM education.

Some suggestions:
Suzanne G. Brainard Endowed Fund for Diversity in STEM donation page
WEPAN donation page
Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity donation page

This post is based on an original obituary written by Suzanne’s surviving siblings Rusty Gage and Kathleen Damm and her surviving sister-in-law Mary Lynn Gage.