Suzy Ihnat, CRSE, RSPA, PPR, ISSA
Career Coach
““Suzy Ihnat is a dynamic leader in the racquets, fitness and recreation space. She is comfortable in both “on and off court” managerial duties, a member-centric director with a strong team orientation, high “club IQ”, and well-developed communication skills.
She effectively balances her acute understanding of industry trends with a genuine respect for traditional and mainstream activities. In short, Suzy has an inherent ability to enhance any management team.”
Suzy Ihnat brings over 22 years of experience leading racquets programs in the club industry, with a proven track record across both private, member-owned equity clubs and management company–operated properties. She understands the distinct dynamics between high-end, nonprofit, best-in-class clubs and those working to stabilize operations, allowing her to tailor leadership strategies that align vision, culture, and financial health.
Suzy’s racquet sports career achievements span leadership roles at platinum-level clubs from Atlanta (Ansley Golf Club & Druid Hills Golf Club), Georgia to Naples, Florida where she most recently served as Director of Athletics for Quail West Country Club.
Suzy provides her coaching clients with a unique 360° perspective based on her experience as a seasoned and deeply committed coach developer who is known for growing professionals and identifying leadership potential. She is adept at helping professionals become more confident and capable as she helps clients build skills, improve productivity, and foster trust. One very special area of expertise that Suzy brings to her role is creating individualized growth plans that help clients identify their strengths and define their ‘zone of genius’.
Suzy is highly skilled in creating comprehensive strategic and business plans that provide clarity, define measurable goals, and align management, Boards of Directors, and membership at large. She has extensive experience presenting master facility plans, driving consensus across diverse constituencies, and leading meetings that create traction, momentum, and accountability for her teams.
Operationally, Suzy’s expertise includes the management of racquets, athletics and wellness budgets exceeding $2 million, building financial fluency within her teams, and leveraging KPIs to define performance, value, and long-term strategy.
Utilizing best-practice SWOT analysis, Suzy helps organizations and individuals assess organizational health, guide decision-making, and messaging value to stakeholders. She also has significant experience in facilities management, including reserve studies, capital improvement planning, project management, and ongoing investment in staff training and development.
Suzy’s leadership philosophy centers on building trust, aligning vision, and creating environments where both people and programs thrive. She is known for balancing innovation with operational discipline, helping ensure financial sustainability while delivering exceptional member experiences.
An accomplished racquets professional, Suzy’s expertise is reinforced by multiple professional certifications, including Certified Racquet Sports Executive (CRSE), RSPA Elite Professional, RSPA Padel and RSPA Pickleball, and PPR Pickleball certification. As a former Division I athlete, Suzy competed for George Mason University while holding both athletic and academic scholarships. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, providing a strong analytical foundation that informs her data-driven approach to strategy, operations, and decision-making.