Susan Hess (1945- )

Susan Hess was born in 1945 and grew up on Long Island before attending Cornell University. She moved to New Orleans when she was nineteen. Arriving three days before Hurricane Betsy struck in 1965, she volunteered her time, helped residents repair their homes, and cooked meals for those in need. This inopportune arrival made her “immediately a part of the community,” throwing her into the heart of New Orleans and a lifetime of service.

Married to Edith and Edgar Stern’s grandson, Bill Hess, Susan continues the legacy of philanthropy and activism that Julius Rosenwald began. From 2019-2021, she served as president of the New Orleans Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Chapter. She has also served as a volunteer, board member, and leader to many other organizations in New Orleans, including the Louisiana SPCA, City Park, the Jewish Federation, the Film Commission, and the University of New Orleans. In aid of post-Katrina New Orleans, she spearheaded fundraising efforts to restore and make better the Louisiana SPCA and City Park.