Susan M. Connelly

Susan Connelly is the chief communications and public affairs officer for Darden Restaurants. She is responsible for corporate and brand communications, digital marketing, government relations and public policy, philanthropy, and the company’s community engagement and sustainability initiatives. Based in Orlando, Fla., Darden owns and operates more than 1,700 Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, and Eddie V’s restaurants in North America, employing more than 185,000 people and serving nearly 400 million guests annually. Previously she served as senior vice president, communications and corporate affairs. Connelly joined Darden in 2007 as director, state and local government relations. Prior to that, she held government relations positions at McDonald’s USA and the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Connelly serves on the boards of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., and earned an MBA from the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University.