Susan Byrne is an accomplished sports marketing and revenue executive with 40 years of experience in professional and collegiate athletics. She is entering her ninth year as an adjunct instructor in Endicott College’s Sport Leadership M.S. Program, where she draws on extensive industry experience in sports fundraising, sponsorship, corporate partnerships, revenue generation, marketing, ticketing, and event management.
Byrne spent 20 years with the Boston Bruins, serving in leadership roles including Director of Marketing and Community Relations and Vice President of Promotions and Advertising. During her tenure, she developed and managed corporate partnerships, sponsorship initiatives, community programs, and promotional campaigns, while also overseeing marquee events including the NHL All-Star Game, NHL Draft, player retirement ceremonies, and the Bruins Wives’ Charity Carnival.
From 2008 until her retirement in 2024, Byrne served as Associate Director of Athletics for Marketing and Sales at Harvard University, where she oversaw marketing, sponsorship, branding, promotions, ticketing, and sales strategies supporting 42 varsity sports. She established Harvard Athletics’ corporate sponsorship program and secured the first corporate presenting sponsorship for the historic Harvard-Yale football game. She also led the development of partnerships with external sponsorship and ticket sales organizations to expand revenue opportunities across the department. Byrne was a recipient of the Harvard College Dean’s Distinction Award in 2012.
Following her retirement from Harvard, Byrne has continued to teach and consult on sports revenue, sponsorship, and partnership strategies. She also volunteered at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, assisting with athlete support during the Opening Ceremonies and working on the Field of Play for men’s and women’s golf.
Byrne began her career at the New England Sports Network (NESN) and has worked with a variety of sports organizations and events, including the Bank of America Championship Senior Golf Tournament. She has also taught at Salem State University and Northeastern University and has served on the boards of the Boston Bruins Charity Foundation, Bay State Games, and MetroLacrosse.
A graduate of Colgate University, where she earned a B.A. in History with honors and was a lacrosse student-athlete, Byrne went on to earn her MBA ’16 from Endicott College. She later spent 17 years officiating collegiate, high school, and youth women’s lacrosse. In addition to teaching at Endicott, she serves on the Endicott College Alumni Council and is committed to supporting the College’s students, alumni, and community.