224. She Came to the U.S. Not Speaking English, Now this 54-Year-Old is Leading Education Brand Sylvan Learning: Susan Valverde

Susan Valverde, the president of Sylvan Learning, has an extraordinary story from a young immigrant to a top leader in education is truly one for the books.

Imagine moving to the U.S. at 12 not speaking English, facing every obstacle you can think of—and not only overcoming them, but using those experiences to reshape the future of education. That’s exactly what Susan did.

After excelling in school despite the language barrier, she became the first in her family to attend college. But it was a Sylvan Learning commercial that set her on a life-changing path. Inspired by the brand’s impact on education, she made the bold decision to leave her career and open three Sylvan Learning centers in Texas, serving some of the nation’s poorest counties. Her centers became some of the highest-performing in the network.

Susan’s franchise success eventually led her to Sylvan’s corporate team, where she rose to president in 2016. Now, she’s transforming Sylvan’s approach to learning, modernizing the curriculum, and pushing the brand forward with parent company Unleashed Brands.

Susan speaks on:

• How her journey as an immigrant, first-generation student, and passionate learner ignited her pursuit of a career in education.
• The bold move from franchisee to president—and the lessons she learned leading Sylvan centers in some of the most underserved communities in Texas.
• The massive changes she’s driving at Sylvan, including a game-changing customer experience overhaul set for 2025.
• Her unique perspective on the current state of education—how budget cuts, understaffing, and curriculum changes are impacting kids, and how Sylvan is stepping in to bridge those gaps.

Susan’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and believing in the potential of every child.

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