Susan B. Towler, APR, is vice president of the Florida Blue Foundation, established in 2001 as the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue. She is also executive director of corporate social responsibility for Florida Blue and has responsibility for the company’s philanthropic strategy. Towler previously had responsibility for coordinating and implementing Florida Blue’s public relations programs and providing strategic communications counsel on critical business issues.

Prior to joining Florida Blue in 1996, Towler served as client services manager at Robin Shepherd Public Relations. She’s also held public relations roles with Gulf Life Insurance Company, BancBoston Mortgage Corp. and was president of SEB Communications.

Towler is actively involved in the philanthropic and social responsibility sector. She is a member of the Council on Foundations, Southeastern Council of Foundations and the Donors Forum of Northeast Florida. Towler serves on the board of directors for several nonprofits including the Florida Philanthropic Network, the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. She is also a graduate of Leadership Florida and serves on its board of directors. In addition, Towler served as the 2012-13 chair of Leadership Florida.

Towler also serves as chair of Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service. She is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and is past chair of the University of Florida Public Relations Advisory Council. Towler is also an honorary member of Leadership Jacksonville and the Florida Blue Key. She was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2004 and an “Up and Comer” by the same publication in 2003. The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council honored her with the “Women of Distinction” award in 2006. Towler was an EVE Awards finalist in 2013.

Towler holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations from the University of Florida. She is married to Jim Towler and they have one daughter Emma, and a French bulldog, Mr. Pickles.