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Susan and her family

We are so proud of our very own Susan Russell, Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, for winning the Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award at the Keep America Beautiful National Summit awards luncheon!

Susan first joined the Keep America Beautiful Affiliate network as the Director of Keep Mandeville Beautiful, where she served her local community for eight years. In 2014, she joined Keep Louisiana Beautiful and hit the ground running. Her passion for her home state and steadfast commitment to cleaning up our Sportsman’s Paradise has helped to grow the organization year after year.

As Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan leads the only statewide initiative focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification. She oversees a grants program that has awarded over $8.5 million to fund local projects. She has developed environmental education lessons targeting students in grades K-5. And she supports a network of Community, University, and Community College Affiliate organizations in their efforts to clean up and beautify Louisiana.

In 2021, Susan spearheaded the launch of Love the Boot Week, Louisiana’s largest litter removal and beautification event, which last year, mobilized 27,000 volunteers at 1,400 events to pick up over 500 tons of litter and plant nearly 5,000 plants and trees. In September 2026, Susan will introduce Louisiana’s first-ever statewide waterway cleanup, Love Our Waterways. Both signature events aim to bring the people of Louisiana together to care for their environment and ensure our great state is clean and beautiful for future generations.

Susan is the fifth person in Louisiana to receive this prestigious award: Leigh Harris (KLB, 2010), Gwen Emick (KLB, 2002), Donna Curtis (Shreveport Green, 2001), and Betty Jones (Keep Cenla Beautiful, 1999).

Susan’s contributions to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the State of Louisiana are endless. We are so proud of her for winning this prestigious award! Congratulations, Susan!