Susan Cunningham

Member, Arlington County Board

Since taking office in 2024, County Board member Susan R. Cunningham has been a champion for climate resilience, affordable housing, fiscal balance, government transparency, and community connection. 

Locally, Cunningham co-leads the Board’s Audit Committee and serves as Board liaison to the National Landing Business Improvement District, Community Oversight Board and Community Services Board. She is also the Board liaison to C2E2 (Climate Change, Energy and Environment), Fiscal Affairs, Forestry and Natural Resources, Park & Recreation, and Sports Commissions. She serves as Board co-liaison to the Comprehensive Plan Update and County Board Structure and Governance Review. 

Regionally, Cunningham represents Arlington on transportation and climate at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), serving on the National Capital Regional Transportation Planning Board, Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Committee, and Climate Change, Energy & Environment Policy Committee. Cunningham is also an alternate liaison to the Virginia Association of Counties.  

As the Chief Executive Officer of C2 Change Solutions, Cunningham provides interim executive leadership to organizations navigating rapid change. She served in interim roles as CEO of AHC (now Affordable Homes & Communities), Executive Director of Arlington Thrive, and Chief Strategic Officer of Venture Philanthropy Partners. Cunningham held executive roles at the Department of the Treasury and McKinsey & Company, where she led data-driven innovation for local, state and national governments 

Prior to her Board service, Cunningham was a founding member of the Arlington Joint Facilities Advisory Commission, chaired the Dorothy Hamm Middle School building committee, co-chaired the Stratford Historic Site Historic Interpretation Committee, and served on the Advisory Council on School Facilities. She has supported climate, safety net, and youth organizations, including as a board member for ChildTrends, Donaldson Run Civic Association, the Fishing School, GreenHOME, St. Mary's Episcopal Outreach, the SEED Foundation, and See Forever Foundation/Maya Angelou School. Cunningham leads a teen Girl Scout troop, welcomes refugee families, and enjoys hiking Arlington’s parks. 

Cunningham earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Yale University and was a Fulbright Scholar and physics professor at the University of Malawi. She and her husband have two teenage daughters who attended Arlington Public Schools.