Described as a “principal catalyst in Midtown’s metamorphosis” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Susan McNeill Mendheim has successfully led the efforts of Midtown Alliance for the past 23 years. During that time, she has shepherded wide-sweeping changes and helped transform Midtown from a blighted, crime-ridden area into a vibrant and vital community, which enjoys a growing reputation as a model for new urbanism and economic growth.

As President and CEO, Susan guides the Alliance in its mission to improve and sustain quality of life in Midtown. With a broad-based membership of business and civic leaders, the non-profit organization employs a comprehensive approach to planning and development that includes initiatives to enhance public safety, the physical environment, and urban amenities.

Under Susan’s direction, the Alliance launched a community-wide planning effort in 1997 called Blueprint Midtown. This award-winning plan has been heralded as the catalyst for Midtown’s emergence as a major urban center. Since its inception 9 years ago, over $1.5 billion in private investment has occurred in Midtown resulting in the addition of 10,000 new residential units, 9 million SF of office space, and more than 800,000 SF of retail.

In 2000, Susan and the Alliance created a Midtown Improvement District (MID), enabling commercial property owners to tax themselves to pay for specific initiatives. The MID currently funds Midtown Blue, a 24-hour private police force, Midtown Green, an environmental maintenance program, and Midtown Transportation Solutions, a transportation management association. In addition, the MID uses its resources to leverage federal funding for major transportation projects and new multi-corridor streetscape improvements for Midtown.

Susan is a native Atlantan and grew up in Midtown. She graduated from Emory University with a BA in English. Prior to joining Midtown Alliance, she was a small business owner. Her volunteer board participation has included the Georgia Tech College of Management, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Metropolitan YMCA, Urban Land Institute/Atlanta, Piedmont Park Conservancy, Midtown Assistance Center, and Margaret Mitchell House. In 2001, she received the Dan Sweat Community Leadership Award from ULI/Atlanta and in 2002, the Civic Leadership Award from the Building Owners and Managers Association. In 2004, the Atlanta Business Chronicle named her as one of the “Most Influential Atlantans”. Susan is the mother of two grown daughters, Kristin and Elizabeth.