Our Staff

Susan Pocklington, Executive Director

Susan joined the staff at Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear in 2000, holding two prior positions before becoming Executive Director in the fall of 2007. She has guided the organization from its inception, through two strategic plans, fundraising for and facilitating dozens of preservation projects, creative interpretive programs, and adaptive use plans for historic buildings.  Implementing a vision for the complete restoration of the historic Olsen Farmhouse into a park visitor center was a major step including the gardens and re-landscaping. Susan graduated with honors in Parks and Recreation Administration from Michigan State University and did her internship in the rocky mountains of Colorado. Susan has had a dedicated career helping several nonprofit organizations including positions with Greenhills School Development Department, Oakland University Meadow Brook Estate, six years as Executive Director and Co-founder of the Leelanau Center for Education Adult Enrichment Programs, and assisted others with start-up ventures. She also worked in a promotional advertising company. Originally from Plymouth, Michigan, she grew up near her grandfather’s farm, helping with harvesting hay and produce. She has always had an affinity for historic buildings, and attributes her love of history to her grandfather who helped build the Plymouth Historical Museum. Her love of Port Oneida began in high school when her marching band attended band camp there. Susan is an accomplished flutist and vocalist and has served as flutist in the Traverse Symphony and Plymouth Symphony. She enjoys hiking, biking, softball, canoeing, white water rafting, and tennis.

“I continue to be energized by the endless opportunities for growth and creativity in preserving the structures and stories of the heritage in Sleeping Bear, and opening doors to new experiences utilizing historic buildings.”