Suzan Brandt

Christian, Educator/Teacher, Event planner, Parent, Technologist

Suzan Brandt is the Chief Technology Officer of Mountain Brook Schools, near Birmingham, Alabama. In March of 2023, she received the prestigious Innovative Technology Director Award by Tech & Learning. Suzan was featured by EdTech Magazine as one of the 30 K-12 Influencers to follow in 2023. Currently, Suzan sits on the 1EdTech Advisory Board, where she focuses on the importance of an open, trusted, and innovative education technology and digital credentials ecosystem. She is a sought-after speaker, presenting nationally on the critical issues of vetting apps and programs to protect student data, the integration of AI into the learning environment, and the innovative leadership skills needed to facilitate a modern learning environment. She is also on the steering team for ERDI’s National Council of Innovative Technology Leaders. Suzan's expertise has been showcased at leading conferences such as ISTE, FETC, TCEA, Tech & Learning, and CoSN. Suzan's impressive educational background includes a B.S. in Elementary Education from Auburn University, a M.A. in Special Education from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an Ed.S. in Educational Technology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has worked extensively in the field of special education and has taught Language Arts, Math, and Computer Applications. Passionate about creating community and opportunities for collaboration, Suzan has been organizing TEDx events since 2011 including TEDxRedMountain, TEDxBirmingham, and TEDxYouth@MBJH.

My children and family, AI implementation, data privacy, student voice, emerging technologies, Design Thinking, professional learning, and creating positive cultures.

AI in Education, Creating Community, Data Governance and Privacy, Design Thinking, Educational Technology, Learning Theorgy, Student Voice

In addition to her duties as the CTO, Suzan is deeply passionate about fostering student voice. Since 2014, she has been the licensee for TEDxYouth@MBJH and the co-organizer of the MBJH TED-Ed Club, where three club members, Sean Fredella, Brett Lewis, and Elaine Russell, have been selected to speak at TED-Ed Weekend events. Suzan's commitment to empowering young leaders extends to her involvement with the TEDxBirmingham and TEDxRedMountain organizational teams, dating back to 2010.