Susan and Michael became Lions in 2010 while living in Brookfield CT, then transferred their membership to the Waxhaw Club following a relocation to the Charlotte NC area. Throughout their tenure, they held many leadership positions at club and district levels. Susan O’Brien just completed her term as North Carolina’s District Governor for the Lions year 2023-24. She continues to serve NC Lions as a Certified Guiding Lion, and is currently on the board of the Waxhaw Lions Club as its membership chair. Michael is in his third year as the NC Lions Sight and Hearing Preservation Chair and his fourth year leading Waxhaw’s KidSight vision screening program. Between 2019 and 2024 he held sequential board positions in the Waxhaw Lions Club as its president and treasurer.

Both have been named Melvin Jones Fellow and are the recipients of numerous awards in recognition of their humanitarian services. In 2020, Susan was recognized as one of Union County’s “50 Most Powerful Women”. She has also received the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House each year since 2020 as a tribute to her substantial hours of community service.

Susan is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University with degrees in both Physics and Management Science. She spent the first half of her career as a research engineer in the semiconductor industry, and transitioned into third party management for the second half before retiring as a Senior VP at Bank of America. Susan and her husband Michael, a retired carpenter, live in Fort Mill, SC. Their four children and two grandchildren all live in various northeastern states.

They have a lot of fun working side by side with Waxhaw Lions and are thrilled to welcome and mentor new members!

More Members, More Service, More Heart