As Director of Research Development at the Santa Fe Institute, Susan oversees the SFI Office of Sponsored Research and manages grant getting, administration and compliance efforts for the Institute. She has over twenty years of experience in leadership positions in research and faculty development, diversity and team science, and as a research funding program officer and administrator.

Prior to joining SFI, Susan served as the founding Director of the Research Development Services Office at the University of California Merced (UC Merced). Previously, Carter served as a Program Officer for two state research funding programs of the University of California: the California HIV/AIDS Research Program and the California Program on Access to Care. She is a founding Board Member of the National Organization of Research Development Professions (NORDP); in 2017 she received the Holly Falk-Krzesinski Service Award given annually to a NORDP Member in recognition of outstanding service to the organization and to the research development profession. Susan holds a J.D. degree and a B.A. in Political Science/Public Service, both from the University of California Davis.