During Susan Ershler's 23-year corporate career, she held a series of executive positions in the sales divisions of Fortune 500 companies; led teams to sales records, growing sales from $1 million to $600 million; and ultimately as a Vice President. Along the way, she earned 11 annual President’s Club awards – for leading teams to top performance.

During that era of corporate achievement, she, and her husband Phil, were climbing the Seven Summits – the highest mountain on each of the world’s the seven continents. That remarkable journey culminated at the top of Mount Everest on May 16, 2002. With that climb, she and Phil became the first couple in history to climb the Seven Summits.