“There’s always something to learn in life and always something to give back to others,” said ’85 Aquinas graduate Sue Hetzler, of her diverse career path. After her recent appointment as the Vice President of Bose Public Affairs Group in Indianapolis, Hetzler explains that her educational background and networking connections enabled a successful career that developed through an unlikely web of beat reporting, followed by work in military, and Catholic and corporate communications. Now, after spending years on the marketing and public relations side of the business, Hetzler reflects that the personal attention and high standards of the professors at Aquinas contributed to her professional success, healthy spiritual perspective, and determination to always continue learning.

“I didn’t follow the traditional journalism path that I intended, but my life is ultimately not my project and things have turned out exactly as they should have,” said Hetzler. A Lakeview, Michigan native, she began her college education at Ferris State University with a major in journalism. To compliment her spiritual journey with her interest in writing and communication, Hetzler began to survey Aquinas College for a more complete academic and faith experience. Academically, she felt complacent and unchallenged and sought an environment that would inspire high achievement.

“Aquinas was intellectually challenging and academically demanding. It forced me to be disciplined and to think critically,” she said. “The professors there expected quality work and that is a standard I carried with me after graduation.” Although she was admitted as a sophomore, Hetzler soon took advantage of the opportunities available for aspiring journalists, and held a position as editor for the College newspaper (then the Aquinas Times) and student worker in the Public Affairs office.

Additionally, Hetzler was attracted to the religious convictions of a private, Catholic college. After becoming interested in Catholicism during her senior year of high school, she soon found that her desire for faith increased as she reached young adulthood. “I’m the only Catholic in my immediate family,” said Hetzler, and explains that a friend and Aquinas student with similar religious interests led her to consider the private college for its academics and spiritual development. Hetzler solidified her faith through conversion her junior year, which reinforced the foundation of moral principles, work ethics, integrity, and building positive, mutually beneficial relationships that she lives by today.

Although Hetzler had a clear and aggressive vision for her career path, she was led in other directions. Despite challenges, these helped her discover areas of talent and strong skill sets that would set the course for a career in public relations and strategic communications. Married shortly after graduation, she began to juggle family life, professional goals, and the obligations of a husband in the Marines.

“In the military, you move around a lot,” she said, “That can be a blessing, and a challenge to someone with career aspirations.” Though each move required starting over, Hetzler utilized each ‘job-hop’ as a vital networking and learning opportunity and said, “Take advantage of every opportunity you hop to. There is always something to learn and something to contribute.” With each move, she was afforded new opportunities to showcase her talents and thus gained hundreds of positive business contacts.

Among her list of positions held over the years are Director of Communications at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Director of Marketing-Communications at Suros Surgical Systems, Inc., and most recently, before taking on the position at Bose Public Affairs, owner and president of Hetzler Communications Consulting, LLC.

As a tribute to those who took the time to shape her talents and principles, Hetzler has always made it a point to serve as a mentor to others, both personally and professionally. She was a CYO volleyball coach for seven years and continues today as a community volunteer with various organizations.

Currently, she sits on the Steering Committee and chairs the Communications Committee for the National Catholic Youth Conference that will be held in Indianapolis in November. During the development of her career and amidst volunteering, Hetzler has also raised two daughters as a single parent for 15 years. Now ages 24 and 18, she proudly notes that her daughters are truly the results of love, dedication, faith and trust in God’s plan.

Now, after 25 years in the communication business, Hetzler reflects that her experience and successes are a result of stepping back to see where pieces of the puzzle fit. This is a picture nearly complete with a solid undergraduate education mixed with interesting people, places and jobs over the years, a master’s degree in public relations in the life sciences conferred this May, the high school graduation of her youngest daughter in June, and her own wedding later in the month. Of her many travels and positions in multiple business environments, she said, “It’s been a fun journey and interesting to see how people weave in and out of your life.”

As Hetzler settles into her new position as vice president of Bose Public Affairs Group, she looks forward to the new adventures that will unfold. Currently, she is mentoring a new marketing graduate from Ball State University, teaching her the value of networking as she learns how to navigate the ever-changing roadmap of choosing a career path. “It’s all about relationships,” she said, “and how you build them, develop and grow them, what you learn, and ultimately what you give back.”