Caring for her family, volunteering locally, and managing the Charles Lafitte Foundation keep Suzanne Citron’s days busy and life fulfilled.
During rare periods of quiet, she researches nonprofit organizations and reviews grant requests for CLF. The work is a priority, as she knows that without CLF’s support some organizations might have closed and their good work gone undone.
Suzanne, a New York native, received a business degree in accounting from St. John’s University in 1992. During college, she met her husband, Jeffrey Citron, while working part-time at Datek Securities in New York City. In 1992 she left Datek to join the finance desk at the Canadian-based investment firm Scotia Capitol Markets, where she worked until 1996. She and her husband co-founded the private aircraft company New World Aviation in 1997 and she led the company as CEO until her daughter was born in 1998. Three years later, their son was born.
Suzanne’s commitment to giving back is rooted in her upbringing. When she was a teenager, her mother’s best friend died of cancer at a very young age, which inspired her to become involved with the American Cancer Society (ACS). For the last four years, she has served on the ACS Board of Advisory of the Jersey Shore and she was part of its Peer Review Committee for Institutional Research Grants.
Suzanne’s passion for philanthropy sparked the interest of her daughter, Kyra, who joins her mother in learning about organizations and their efforts, visiting sites, taking notes and considering programs. Though she is busy with college life, Kyra volunteers and believes in the obligation to give back to her community. She inspires her mother every day. Suzanne’s son, Noah, is currently a high school student.
In 2007, the Girl Scouts of Jersey Shore (Monmouth and Ocean Aounties) honored Suzanne with their “Woman of Distinction” award. The annual program recognizes adult leaders who demonstrate courage, confidence and character in their everyday lives.
In 2013, Suzanne joined the Jersey Shore Foundation Board and in 2018 she joined the Trinity College Board of Visitors at Duke University. She works with the board to provide information and recommendations on matters relating to the college and enhance communication among the constituencies of the college and the academic, business, philanthropic, governmental and public communities.