Susan Denk

About Susan Denk

When I started my career, I was one of the only women in the industry managing massive construction projects, like power plants, industrial facilities, and high-rises. I loved it—but after 23 years it was time for something more personal.I wanted to improve people’s daily lives more directly.So in 2002, I co-founded White Crane. We are a design/build firm that specializes in remodeling older homes. Every day, we get to transform aging houses into beautiful, functional spaces that fit our clients’ families and needs. What could be better?As a woman in a male-dominated field, I’m especially passionate about creating opportunities for women to thrive. We’ve got more highly skilled women on our team than most other design/build firms, and, at the end of the day, I’m here to break down barriers and open doors for women—in business, in life, in their homes, everywhere.I believe when we lift up women, we lift up everyone.That’s why our work is about so much more than construction. It’s about building trust, creating connections, and improving the way people live.It’s also about revitalizing the wonderful communities we have in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Over the past 20 years, we’ve worked on over 500 homes. It’s a true honor, and I can’t wait to do more.If you love your neighborhood but you need your home to work better for you, let’s connect. And if you’re as fired up as me about women supporting women, join me over at the YWCA Women’s Triathlon, the Women\'s Foundation of Minnesota, or the Women Presidents Organization.

Experience

1. Owner

   White Crane Design Build

   Jan 2022 — Present · Minneapolis, MN, US

Education

• Miami University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  1976 — 1980

• Texas McCombs School of Business

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

  1986 — 1988

Skills

• Contract Negotiation
• Space Planning
• Project Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Renovation
• Real Estate
• Restoration
• Business Strategy
• Microsoft Excel
• Residential Design
• Leadership
• Project Management
• Process Scheduler
• Microsoft Office
• Business Development
• Management
• Team Building
• Marketing Strategy
• Budgets
• Contractors
• Construction Management
• Green Building
• Interior Design
• Sales Management
• Public Speaking
• Construction
• Customer Service
• Residential Homes
• New Business Development
• Subcontracting
• Contract Management