About

The Reverend Suzanne M. Coles

The Rev. Suzanne M. Coles (née Culhane) is an Episcopal priest and stewardship specialist.  She has served as Canon for Stewardship in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island since 2018, supporting 130 parishes and eight mission organizations in funding Gospel ministry.  She has worked in stewardship and fundraising ministry for more than twenty-five years, with expertise in counseling religious and social service organizations.  Over her career with three international consulting firms and the Church, she has assisted nearly 200 parishes and organizations in raising more than $145 million for mission and programs.  Her expertise spans annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, leadership development, and planning processes.  Mo. Suzanne frequently leads workshops and retreats in addition to leadership coaching around stewardship and fundraising, and regularly teaches at the Mercer School of Theology and denominational seminaries.  She holds an M.Div. from Episcopal Divinity School and a B.S. in Economics from Siena College.

Suzanne is a native New Yorker and a lifelong Episcopalian.  She is married to Mr. Ronald R. Coles, a teacher and church musician with clergy family roots in the Salvation Army.  They have one young son.  Suzanne has studied classical ballet and systematic yoga for decades and is completing Master Training certification.  She passionately believes that giving is an act of worship and delights in building God’s Kingdom through transformational stewardship.