Susan Foley, a Woman in Print Alliance member, grew up rollerblading through the halls of her family’s envelope manufacturing plant. Today, she leads Diamond Envelope as CEO, producing more than a billion envelopes each year while helping shape the future of the direct mail industry. In this episode of Her Imprint, Susan shares how growing up in the business prepared her to lead through economic downturns, industry shifts, and the constant pressure to innovate.

Susan also discusses her passion for creating opportunities for women in manufacturing and why direct mail continues to play a critical role in modern marketing. From tactile print technologies and sustainability initiatives to the use of AI for faster pricing and operations, she explains how traditional manufacturing businesses can remain competitive while staying rooted in strong company culture and leadership values.

00:00 – Introduction to Susan Foley
01:00 – Inside Diamond Envelope and the Scale of Production
03:30 – Growing Up in the Family Business
06:00 – Entering the Industry After College
08:00 – Navigating the Great Recession in Manufacturing
10:30 – Why Direct Mail Still Matters
13:00 – Innovation in Envelope Printing and Tactile Technologies
16:00 – AI and Improving Operations in Manufacturing
19:30 – Women in Manufacturing Leadership
24:00 – Building a Strong Company Culture
28:00 – Balancing Leadership and Motherhood
33:00 – Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders