Susan K. Avery is on the board of Exxon Mobil Corp. and American Institute of Physics, Inc. and Chairman for The University Corp. for Atmospheric Research, Fellow at The Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc., Member of American Association for the Advancement of Science and Fellow at American Meteorological Society, Inc.

In the past she was Principal at The National Center for Atmospheric Research, Principal at National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Principal at The National Science Foundation, Principal at The National Research Council, President-Emeritus at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Executive Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs at The University of Colorado.

She received an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a graduate degree and a doctorate from the University of Illinois.